Re: How to inspect 1988 Force by Mercury 50 HP outboard before purchase.
Look at the general condition of the engine. If the owner kept the outside in decent shape, chances are he did not abuse the engine. How does the prop look? All beaten and bent or normal wear? Check for spark on both cylinders. Remove the plugs and put your thumb over the hole. Turn the flywheel by hand. It should blow your thumb off the hole forcefully.
Basically, if it had spark and compression, it should be decent and your common sense will tell you the rest.