What to Look for on a Test Drive

Test-driving a car that you are thinking about buying is one of the most important steps in selecting a vehicle. A test drive is a must and there are a number of different things to check for on a test drive. Checking for these things can save you money in the long run and help keep you from buying a lemon.

Before you even drive off in the car, inspect the paint and overall appearance of the car. A new paint job is one of the most expensive repairs that a used car may need. Look for dents and areas of rust. If the overall appearance is acceptable to you then begin with checking to make sure all of the lights work. This includes brake lights, turn signals, headlights, etc. Do not forget the interior lights. Make sure the dome light and dashboard lights are in working order.

Now take the car for a drive. Determine whether or not the brakes are working to your satisfaction. Take an empty road and hit the brakes fairly hard to make sure they will work for you in case of an emergency. Now test the steering and suspension of the vehicle. Check to see if the steering wheel is straight while you are driving straight down the road. If not, this could be a sign that it needs an alignment or front-end repairs.

While driving, turn the radio off so that you can hear any strange noises and rattles. Make sure that the car feels as if it is driving normally. This can include the steering and suspension. If the car pulls to one side or the other very hard, this may be a sign of front-end damage.

In regards to the engine and transmission, you do not have to be a mechanic to determine if they seem to be operating normally. This is a test drive. Do not be afraid to accelerate hard a few times to see if the engine is performing as you feel it should. Different vehicle makes and models will vary in power, yet you can get some general idea of performance. Check to see if the engine sputters or lacks power during a hard acceleration. Do not forget to take the vehicle out on the highway. Different problems may only show at higher speeds. See if the transmission appears to be shifting properly.

Check any options that the car may have. These would include items such as the heater, cruise control, air conditioning, power windows, power locks, the horn, and the radio. Many of these items may not seem of high importance, but if they do not operate correctly, you will be spending a great deal of money repairing them.

You have three choices if you find problems with the car that you want to buy. The first is to see if the seller will repair the items prior to you buying it. Second, you can buy the car with the problems that it has, and use these problems as a way to drastically negotiate the price of the vehicle down. The third option is to simply not buy the car.