When you are in the market for a used car, how can you make sure that there aren’t any problems with the vehicle? There is no way to know what could be wrong until after you have purchased it. The best thing that a person can do before purchasing a used car is to take it for an extended Car Test Drive and inspect it thoroughly. This article will list 10 tips on how to make the most of your test drive when shopping for a new or used car.
In this article, we’ll look at some basic pointers and guidance to assist you in locating the finest second-hand vehicle that matches your criteria. We’re focusing on people who are buying a few-year-old modern car or crossover, with possible remaining warranty coverage.
These are some easy methods to assist Car Test drivers in quickly detecting numerous common issues on recently used vehicles, but a full on-the-hoist examination by a professional technician is still the best method to avoid purchasing a car that may have problems.
Call Ahead
When you first meet that other viewpoint, you’ll want to take a few things with you.
To begin, request that the seller make sure the engine has been completely chilled and hasn’t been pre-warmed ahead of time. This might mean arranging a meeting to inspect the automobile when it’s been parked for an hour or two. Sellers may sometimes pre-warm a car’s engine to hide an issue or noise that would be more apparent at startup—such as visible smoke from the tailpipes, or an undesirable rattle or knock when the engine is cold.
Checking the oil level in your car might need it to be cool. It depends on what the instructions say in your owner’s manual for this car.
When it comes to the owner’s manual and any servicing records and paperwork, be sure they’re in the car and ready for inspection.
You’ll also want to be able to Car Test Drive all of your remote key fobs and keys. Most automobiles come with two sets of keys.
Bring Some Gear
Let’s see some things that might help you during your Car Test Drive. A clean floor mat or a tiny piece of carpet can make undercarriage inspections more pleasant than lying or kneeling in the dirt. And a flashlight is also an essential tool.
A tire tread-depth gauge is essential, as is a pair of gloves and a rag to make fluid level checks more manageable.
Bring your phone and any other USB-connected music devices you intend to use for listening in the car to ensure they’ll work together.
Finally, look for the roughest stretch of paved road in the area using Google Maps or a reconnaissance drive around the region. Plan to go on your Car Test Drive down this route.
Under the hood
Check all accessible fluids, including engine oil and transmission fluid, before taking your car test drive. The owner’s handbook will provide specific instructions on how to check fluid levels.
Pop the hood and have a good look around with your flashlight after ensuring the engine hasn’t been preheated. If you’re not sure who to call, an expert is an ideal person to see if everything’s in order, but test drivers can check for indicators of trouble, such as visible fluid loss or signs of a nesting mouse.
Have the vendor start up the engine for you as soon as possible and then pull out the keys. Listen carefully during the first few seconds of idling for loud, rhythmic ticking, clanking, or banging that goes away or continues while the engine is running.
Engines that are designed for direct injection have a distinctive ticking noise that is inherent to their operation, so question any other noises and have a mechanic examine the vehicle before you buy if you have any doubts.
Is the car turbocharged? If so, allow it to reach operating temperature before driving.
As soon as the engine has heated sufficiently, you may look up the service records against the maintenance schedule in the owner’s handbook. You should make sure there are receipts and paperwork for all of the servicing and inspections listed in the maintenance plan based on current vehicle mileage. It’s not a smart idea to get a vehicle with untended servicing histories.
After the engine has warmed up, go out back and search for signs of a thick white or grey smoke coming from the tailpipes, which might be an indication of uncommon but pricey turbocharger issues.
Water leaks to prevent the aggravation and expense of water leaks, look for any signs of dampness, standing water, rust, mildew, or water staining in key trouble spots.
Remove the spare tire, if necessary, by lifting or removing the cargo floor panel and spare tire beneath it. You want to make sure you can see as much of the bare metal below the cargo area or trunk as possible.
If you detect rust, mildew, or standing water in your unit, it’s usually best to relocate to another one. Water leaks of this sort are typically due to a number of factors, and many owners claim that they’re difficult to repair — not to mention prone to rust and mould growth that might harm the vehicle’s resale value.
Check if there are leaks in the car. Remove mats and press them into the carpeting. If there is water, it may be coming from the sunroof or air conditioner.
Before you drive
You’ll spend a few minutes going over the vehicle’s interior before getting in.
To begin, clear out anything that isn’t critical. Is the seller driving a vehicle with a trunk full of camping equipment? A pet carrier trapped in the back seat? A center console packed with random objects? Items like these may muffle the sound of the automobile’s engine and cause it to be harder to hear.
After that, connect your compatible smartphone using Bluetooth or USB to ensure proper phone calls and media playback while driving.
Then, sit in the driver’s seat. It’s a simple oversight to make, but setting the driver’s seat to your preferred position and then sitting behind yourself might be a handy tool for determining how much room your rear-seat passengers will have and which features are accessible to them.
Finally, learn about all the controls in your car. They are important to know how they work.
The volume controls are for the radio. The climate controls (air conditioning) are also in there. The navigation is on the screen, and you can change the seat with mirrors, too. You can lock and unlock your door with these buttons. There is an entertainment console for videos in the back of your seat. It’s now or never to find out if anything isn’t working properly.
Find a rough road
You’ll utilize the path you discovered in step 1 to aid you to detect potential suspension and front-end issues.
To begin, quiet the cabin. Then, working from the assumption that healthy suspension components make no more noise on rough surfaces, drive down a rough road at a reasonable pace and pay attention carefully.
Potholes are common on the road like this, although popping, clanking, smashing or banging noises emanating from beneath require further examination by a mechanic before you buy.
Braking system test
A healthy braking system will give a good bite from the first bit of brake pedal pressure, and resistance will rise gradually as you push harder on the pedal.
When the brake pedal feels spongy or takes a long time to respond before it is pushed fully, it’s an indication that the brakes need to be serviced. Furthermore, keep in mind that squealing, scraping, or grinding noises from the brakes are indicators that some parts are worn and require replacement.
Slow or stop a vehicle from a moderate speed, such as 70 or 80 km/h, three times on a suitable stretch of road.
Start with a little. “Feel” for signs of vibration, pulsation, or scraping from the brakes by gradually applying light pedal pressure as if you were riding the brakes purposefully. Listen closely for a high-pitched squeal, which may be more noticeable during mild braking. To determine whether you can elicit any odd noises when slowing down.
Next, stop the car again. If the light turns yellow, use more pressure on your pedals to stop quickly. Watch out for unwanted sounds from your brakes or from any other part of the car.
Finally, apply the vehicle’s brakes firmly. You’ll be able to concentrate on how the automobile feels and sounds without being concerned about being struck by a loose object because you’ve removed all loose things from it. Make sure the ABS brakes engage, that the car doesn’t try to steer itself to one side and that the pedal is firm under your foot.
If your brakes are not working, the technician might need to fix them.
Driveline systems test
On a suitable stretch of road, accelerate from a stop to a reasonable cruising speed three times. This is straightforwardly combinable with the braking system car test drive above.
Accelerate gradually to speed. Is the engine pulling strongly and smoothly, or does the power delivery feel lumpy and uneven? In most modern vehicles, you should barely notice the transmission shift if you apply little throttle pressure.
Now, pull harder and accelerate quickly up to speed, perhaps using half throttle. Is the engine or gearbox smooth at high speeds? Do you notice or feel anything unusual at higher RPM? Is there a lot of power?
Finally, let yourself go. Keep an eye on the gear changes and the engine’s feel and sound at high revolutions, as well as when changing gears.
By allowing the engine and transmission to tackle a wide range of tasks in back-to-back order, certain undesirable sounds or feelings may become more apparent.
A misfire in an engine, for example, can generate a jittery or rough sensation to the acceleration, and it might be an indication of an ignition or fuel system malfunction. A harsh shift in particular situations might indicate that the transmission requires servicing or a software upgrade.
If you have any questions, get a mechanic to check the car before you buy it.
Around the wheels
Crawling under the car, preferably on the floor mat or carpet you brought along, might provide an abundance of knowledge into its condition.
You should check that the tires do not have any damage, like scratches or holes. You can use a flashlight if it’s hard to see. Although slight scuffs are not caused for concern, it’s a good idea to check your tire’s condition once in a while. Visible gouges or air bubbles in the tire tread might suggest more serious damage and the need for new rubber.
With a tread-depth gauge, figure out how much life is left in the tires.. An alignment issue that you can ‘feel’ through the vehicle’s steering as an uneasy feeling or a pulling tendency to one side or the other is uneven tread wear across the width of a tire. If that’s the case, an alignment is required.
Check the wheels as you check the tires. Examine for severe curb rash, missing portions of the wheel rim, fractures, or other damage that may result in expenses.
When you’re checking the brakes, look at the metal discs behind each wheel. Healthy discs are shiny and smooth. If they have gouges or rings of rust on them, then you need to do a brake job sooner than later.
Finally, look up inside the wheel well and find the strut or shock absorber. It may be hard to find a qualified technician, but you can see fluids leaking from it if there is a problem.
Steering and front end
When your car is parked, turn the steering wheel quickly from one side to the other. Do this many times.
Before you buy, have the car’s front end inspected by a technician if you detect a clunking or popping sound along with a tingly or popping feeling in the steering wheel. An unusual or notchy steering sensation during this test might also be an indication of trouble.
Park the car in DRIVE, turn the wheel to one side, and then slowly press on the gas pedal. Repeat this procedure several times with the wheel pointed both ways.
You will not be spinning the tires. You will try to make the vehicle leap forward, and you should feel a popping sound. If you hear a clunking sound, your car needs work before you buy it.
