Test driving a used car is one of the most crucial steps of the buying process. Most dealerships allow the customer to spend more time on test driving used cars compared to brand new ones. If you’re planning to buy a pre-owned vehicle, you should take advantage of the time given to you to test the car to find out if it suits your needs.
Below are some helpful steps if you’re test driving used cars in Layton Utah, Michigan, Colorado or any state you are living in.
- Inspect the car’s exterior
Inspecting the exterior of the vehicle is divided into several areas. We have provided you with a list of parts you need to check when inspecting a used vehicle.
- Glass
Make sure that there are no visible cracks in the glass of the car that can cause severe problems in the future. However, cracks would help you haggle the price lower with the seller.
- Lights
Ask a friend if all the lights are properly working. Check if all reflectors and lenses are properly intact and not damaged or missing.
- Overall body condition
Look for visible rust, dents, and scratches on each panel and the roof.
- Check the driver seat
The driver seat is your throne, and it’s important for you to check if you can sit comfortably in the driver seat. Make sure it has enough room for your legs and that you are in a comfortable position when holding the steering wheel.
- Start the engine and let it idle
The next step; start the car and let it idle for a bit to check if the vehicle rattles. Additional signs to be aware of are weird noises under the hood. Also, check if all the lights on the dashboard are properly working. If one of these lights is not working, it might be a problem with its function.
- Check the engine
When you’re test driving a used car, it’s important to make sure that every part under the hood is in excellent working condition. Look for gasket leaks; these leaks often leave dark brown oil marks on the engine block. These leaks may cause you an expensive repair in the future.
- Evaluate the cars shifting and handling
Check every gear and analyze how the car feels as it reaches the speed limit. Make sure that the transitions are smooth and efficient. Also, check if the steering wheel becomes heavier when you drive around corners. As you drive around corners, always check the temperature of the engine. It will also give you an indication about the cars overall condition.
- Check if the suspension is aligned
If there are no cars around you, gently let go of the steering wheel for a few good seconds and see if it pulls to one side. This will indicate if there are any issues with wheel or tire alignment.
- End of the test drive
After a long day of driving the car, ask yourself if you’re still interested. If you are, then ask the seller when you can bring the vehicle to a trusted mechanic.
Always take advantage of test drives; this will assure that you are purchasing a used vehicle with no alarming issues.
