Buying a used car is a big deal. There are many things that need to be considered when you are looking at used cars for sale such as car size, safety, price and fuel efficiency. Once you have reduced the list of cars that you are interested in you can narrow down you search even more and help determine which car to purchase by going on a test drive. The test drive is important to help you decide which one of the used cars to buy. Because the test drive is such a big deal here are a few tips to follow to have a successful and productive test drive.
Before Your Test Drive Begins
Before you even begin your test drive of used cars for sale there are a few things to do. It would be most helpful if the car that you want to test drive is not running when you go to see it. That way you can start it from a ‘cold start’ to make sure that it turns over fine with no problems. Be wary of a car that is already idling when you show up. This could indicate that the car does not start well and the seller wanted to warm it up first so you didn’t notice any issues.
Walk Around the Car
After you have started the car get out and listen to how it sounds. Walk around the car and examine how it looks. Take note of any dings or marks on the car. Check out the tires and see what kind of condition they are in. Make sure all the lights work on the car.
Adjust the Controls
When you get back in the car make sure you adjust all the mirrors so that you can see out of them properly. Turn off the radio so you can hear any noises the car makes while you are driving. Smell the car seats to see if the car has been smoked in or has transported pets. Look at the condition of the dashboard and seats to see how they have been maintained. Make sure the air and heat work properly.
Drive Away
Drive over a wide variety of road conditions and at many different speeds. Practice accelerating and braking a lot. Listen for any odd sounds and take note of anything that is off with the car.
Test drive as many cars as you need to until you find the right one for you. If it doesn’t feel right don’t be afraid to walk away and keep looking.
