Test-driving a used car helps you decide if it is the right car for you and also if this particular car is in good condition. Once you get behind the wheel, ask yourself if it is a good fit. Does it offer enough headroom? Legroom? Are the gauges and controls conveniently positioned?
Try to arrange your test-drive so that you start the engine when it is completely cold. Some cars are harder to start when they are dead cold and, when doing so, will reveal chronic problems. Turn off the radio before you begin driving — you want to hear the engine and concentrate on the driving experience.
On the test-drive, evaluate these additional points:
- Acceleration from a stop
- Visibility (Check for blind spots)
- Engine noise
- Passing acceleration (Does it downshift quickly and smoothly?)
- Hill-climbing power
- Braking
- Cornering
- Suspension (How does it ride?)
- Rattles and squeaks
- Cargo space
Take your time and be sure to simulate the conditions of your normal driving patterns. If you do a lot of highway driving, be sure to go on the highway and take the car up to 65 mph. If you go into the mountains, test the car on a steep slope. You don't want to find out — after you've bought the car — that it doesn't perform as needed.
After the test-drive, ask the owner for the service records. See if the car has had the scheduled maintenance performed on time. Avoid buying a car that has been in a serious accident or has had major repairs such as transmission rebuilds, valve jobs or engine overhauls.
If you like the way the car drives, you should still take it to a mechanic for a thorough inspection. A private party will probably allow you to do this without much resistance. But at a dealership, it might be more difficult. If it is a certified used car, there is no reason to take it to a mechanic.
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