Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 2005 Infiniti Q45
The 2005 Infiniti Q45 presents some common issues in used car evaluations, primarily involving airbag non-deployment, problematic brake lights, and child seat anchorage. These issues should be addressed to ensure safety and compliance with standards.
Known issues to inspect
Side airbag non-deployment
How to check: Inspect side airbag wiring connectors for corrosion.
Non-compliant brake lights
How to check: Verify brake lights meet legal requirements.
Rear seat child anchor location issue
How to check: Check compatibility with child's car seats.
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Cold start
What to check: Ensure no unusual noises from engine.
Red flag: Loud knocking or ticking sounds
- 02
First minute idling
What to check: Observe dashboard for warning lights.
Red flag: Persistent warning lights on display
- 03
Neighborhood driving
What to check: Test brakes for smooth engagement.
Red flag: Vibrations when braking
- 04
City acceleration
What to check: Feel for smooth acceleration without lag.
Red flag: Hesitation in response
- 05
Highway acceleration
What to check: Check for smooth gear shifts at speed.
Red flag: Jerky or harsh shifting
- 06
Parking maneuver
What to check: Listen for noises during steering turns.
Red flag: Squealing or grinding sounds
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Has the side airbag recall been addressed?
- Have the brake lights been repaired?
- Any issues with the electrical system?
- Is the vehicle speed control functioning?
- Have the rear seats been modified?
- Have all recalls been completed?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Recall repair records
- Maintenance history
- Title and registration
- Accident history report
- Seller's ID
Generated by gpt-4o on 8/20/2026. Grounded in the NHTSA recall corpus and owner-complaint patterns for the 2005 Infiniti Q45.