Close to 35.9 million used vehicle sales took place in the U.S. last year, according to Cox Automotive estimates.
There are many good reasons to buy a used car if looking for a vehicle. The biggest benefit is potentially saving a ton of money…perhaps tens of thousands. But buying the wrong new-to-you car could bite you in the wallet. The last thing you want is a lemon in your driveway.
You’ll want to conduct a test drive after finding a used car that meets your needs. Here are 16 things to consider when taking any used car for a test drive so you don’t get stuck with a lemon.
Start the Vehicle When the Engine’s Cold
It’s best to test drive a vehicle with a cold engine. Some car salespersons will warm up a car before someone takes it on a test drive. That might seem like a kind gesture, but it isn’t. Some problems are easier to detect if you start the vehicle when the motor is cold. You might hear odd sounds from the engine, see white or black smoke from the exhaust, or notice other things.
Press the Brakes
Press the brakes. They should be solid. If there’s a spongy feel, halt the test drive then and there. The car dealer may need to bleed the brakes, fix the master cylinder, or replace a brake line. One thing’s for certain — the car isn’t safe to test drive until the problem is fixed.
Adjust What Can Be Adjusted for Comfort
Adjust the seat, steering wheel, brakes, rearview mirror, and side mirrors to your liking. The goal is to be as comfortable as possible in the driver’s seat and to eliminate blind spots.
Check the Back Seats
Don’t forget to check the back seats. Are there enough seats, and are they comfortable? Are the seats adjustable? Do the seatbelts work? Is there sufficient headroom and legroom? Whatever you need in the back seat area, ensure the vehicle has it.
Look at the Trunk Area
By now, you probably realize there are multiple things to do before going on the test drive. Another thing to add to the list is checking the trunk area. Ensure it has the space you need.
Look at the Tires
A car’s tires can reveal a lot about the vehicle’s overall condition. Check the tread depth. You want the tires to be 6/32 of an inch or deeper. If the depth is 4/32 of an inch, they need to be replaced soon, and if they’re 2/32 of an inch or less, they should be changed immediately. Insufficient tread can negatively impact stopping distance. Gauges to check tire depth are inexpensive. Buy one and learn to use it before checking out a used car.
Check the Exhaust Area
Look at the exhaust area of the vehicle. If there is any dark, oily residue present, that could signal a problem. Start the car up on a cold engine if possible. If you see black smoke, there may be a fuel-system problem. Meanwhile, white smoke could signify a coolant leak.
It’s typically okay if you see white, wispy smoke from the exhaust on a chilly day — as long as it stops after a few minutes.
Shift the Transmission Into a Drive Gear
Shift the transmission into a drive gear and listen for any strange sounds. That’s one reason to take the test drive alone if you can. Having a car salesperson sitting beside you might distract you. Between their talking and the sound of the radio, you might miss telltale signs. If you don’t get the chance to take a solo test drive, insist on the radio remaining off. And don’t let the car salesperson drown out any weird transmission noises with their talking.
Assess the Positioning of Primary Controls
When seated in the car, you should observe the positioning of the main controls. Are they intuitively laid out and easy to reach? If buying a car with a stick shift, assess the clutch.
Ensure the Technology Works
What good is an in-dash GPS or infotainment unit if it doesn’t work or is glitchy? Go through everything. Some features can only be checked when the car is in motion — like lane-centering features or adaptive cruise control. You don’t want to buy a used car and find out after the fact that the technology and features you want don’t work in your vehicle.
Operate the Car at Different Speeds
When test-driving a used car, you should drive it at different speeds. The steering wheel might shudder at higher speeds but be okay at slower speeds. And odds noises from the suspension might be more audible when driving at slower rather than higher speeds.
Ensure You Can Test Drive the Car for at Least 30 Minutes
Beware of any used car dealer that tries to limit your test drive unreasonably. Ten or 15 minutes isn’t enough to put the vehicle through its paces. You must spend quality time driving the car on the roads and highways. Ask for at least half an hour, and go longer if allowed.
See If the Vehicle Drifts to the Left or Right
If the car pulls to the left or right, that’s a problem you shouldn’t ignore. It could be as simple as inconsistent tire pressure, which is easily corrected. But it could be more serious. It might be one or more bad wheel bearings, sticking brake calipers, suspension issues, or something else.
Test the Steering
You should also test the steering. Is there too much play in the steering wheel? Does the steering wheel vibrate? Any of these things are reason enough to talk to the car salesperson.
Test the Suspension
Don’t forget to test the suspension. Buying a used car with suspension issues will leave you with compromised ride quality and safety concerns. Besides, suspension problems can cost an arm and a leg to fix. When driving the car, observe how the vehicle performs on uneven surfaces and over bumps. Do you hear creaks? Does the car shake or vibrate? Does it bounce around at the slightest bump in the road? Bring any issues you find to the car salesperson’s attention.
Listen for Strange Noises
Don’t just listen out for strange sounds when you start the vehicle. Keep your ears open for the duration of the test drive. Open the windows if that helps. In addition to listening for noises that could point to problems, observe how well the car blocks out road noise.
Do These 16 Things Before Buying a Car
If you want to purchase a used car, don’t forget the all-important test drive. You’ll be rolling the dice if you buy it without putting the vehicle through its paces.
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