Used Car Inspection Step #6 - Test Drive
Remember that your most important task here is to return the vehicle safely. You are in an unfamiliar vehicle, use extra caution.
Turn off the radio, fans or any other noise making accessories. If possible, have the seller be quiet as well. Listen to the car as you pull out. You will need to drive under a variety of conditions. You will need to get on a highway and see how it handles at highway speed.
Things to notice:
- Engine should be smooth with no undue noise
- Transmission should shift smoothly without whirring, lurches or clunks
- Steering should be smooth and easy and not pull in any direction
- Drive next to a wall (sometimes medians have these) with the window down and listen to the car, you should only hear the tires and wind.
Return the car and let the owner drive, tell him to go around the block. Observe the car from the rear and front, be very careful of other traffic.
- Does the car track straight? In other words do the wheels line up when driving straight?
Judge these things critically against your expectations.
- Ask yourself if it is better or worse than your expectation?
- Is it better or worse than the car you practiced on, and other cars you've looked at?
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