Top 3 Things to Look For When Test Driving a Car
Top 3 Things to Look For When Test Driving a Car
Posted on January 10, 2019
Buying a car is exciting, but finding that perfect new or used car can be a long and arduous process. Shopping for a vehicle of your dreams requires proper research to protect your wallet. Purchasing a car requires proper planning, particularly when you’re buying a used car. Whether you are buying a car from an independent used car dealer, or from a private party, a test drive is a must.
Before making a final purchase decision, a car should be test driven and there are some things you need to do before, during, and after the drive. Skipping the test drive could turn out to be a terrible mistake. Therefore, it is essential to take out some time to perform a thorough inspection and test drive. Before making such a big investment, you need to check the car’s performance, all the documents, as well as, its history. If you’re planning to buy a car soon, read the following tips on how to test drive a used car.
Examine the Exterior and Mechanical
Before you sit on the driver’s seat, take a walk-around to examine the exteriors of the vehicle. Take a close detailed look to find out any scratches, dents, faded paint, or oddly aligned parts. These are actually indications that a used car may have been in an accident or had body work done. Now, start the vehicle to switch on the headlights and emergency flashers. All the lights must be working properly and there must not be any unusual noises or smell. Ensure there’s no rust or metal wear under the hood. The tires must be in a good condition and should match the wheels.
Check the Interior Features
Now, get inside the car but before you start driving, first you need to check out every single system in the car. The interior of the used car should be comfortable and inviting. All the power windows, door locks, moonroof, and seat belts must be in good shape and work smoothly. Examine the seat frames, leg room for rear-seat passengers, steering wheel, mirrors, and interior lights. Make sure every system is working properly, including the dashboard lights, radio, every speaker, and music player. You can also try connecting your phone, iPod or MP3 player into the AUX jack to make sure they play well with one another. Irrespective of the weather, make sure to thoroughly test out the heating and air conditioning systems. Check all the HVAC modes to ensure that they work properly and air flows from all of the vents.
Take a drive
Now it’s time to put the seat belts and start driving. A dazzling used luxury car which has impressed you with its striking looks must also astonish you with its performance. A test drive is a crucial part which requires your complete attention. You need to keep your eyes and ears open to check for any sounds of the engine and transmission. This is the time to look at how all equipment, lights, brakes, and dashboard indicators are functioning. You need to examine how the car responds to an accelerator and steering force. When you buy a car from a dealer, they will most likely have a preset test drive route. This smooth route, however, is not ideal to reveal the vehicle’s performance in a better way. Ask them to drive the car on bumpy roads or with left turns to check for strange noises from the suspension.