What should I look out for when I am test driving a used car?
The test drive is the most important step towards assuring that a car is in perfect shape
. However, with the enormous number of factors that must be checked during the testing process. Thus, a lot of potential used car buyers lose track of some of them. Hence, this article will list down the most important things to check and explain how and why each of them is important.
Before Turning It On
The initial part of the test drive process involves gauging the general feel of the car's interiors. See if the you feel comfortable when sitting on the driver's seat. Check the fit and the texture of the seats, in particular. Check for any unpleasant smell that may be lingering inside the car.
Furthermore, examine the interior for its suitability for the prospective passengers. Many used car buyers are not the only ones that will the car should it be purchased. The buyer's family, specifically, should also be okay with it.
Right after the mushy stuff, check the transmission fluid for a burnt odor. This smell is evidence that there is too much friction on the transmission's parts. Excessive friction means accelerated corrosion, which is a major type of irreparable damage as it drastically shortens the lifespan of the car.
Turn on the car's electrical system, check if the signal lights are working fine. This includes the turn signal, along with the beam lights, headlights, the brake and hazard lights. All of these must be in good condition to help ensure that your test drive will be as safe as possible.
While Turning It On
The ignition should be able to turn on with just one attempt, unless you are testing the car under cold weather which inevitably makes fuel combustion a little more difficult, especially for diesel engines. However, if you are testing it in a warmer weather, multiple ignition attempts should not be necessary.
Check the wipers, power windows, power steering, the driver side switch that opens the car's trunk. Also check the dashboard if all the controls, gauges, and indicators are working right. If the car has a CD or DVD player, also check if they are working as expected.
While the Car is Running
Put the gears first on neutral and then check the car's exhaust by letting someone else step on the gas while you are standing safely on one side and observing what comes out of the rear. The smoke must be virtually colorless black or bluish smoke must not be seen.
As soon as the car is in motion, check if gear changes can be done smoothly. They also must not slip or pop out at any point. Listen for potential grinding noises that emanate from the transmission area. These are all indicators of a faulty transmission and repair costs can go as high as the Everest (the real Everest, not the one from Ford).
If you bought a car with a transmission problem and returning it is not an option, there are three ways of fixing the a problematic transmission: brand new replacement, replacement with a used transmission, or a full rebuild / overhaul of the transmission system. All of these cost a lot, ranging from $1,000 to as much as 80 percent of the car's cost.
Try accelerating and decelerating. See if both can be done within reasonable parameters. Loss of power is a sign of engine trouble, so be on the look for that. Try to test the brakes and see if the anti-lock braking system (ABS) is working well. A functional ABS will let you feel a slightly pulsating motion on the brake pedal.
After Driving and Turning It Off
As soon as the engine is turned off, activate the parking lever. Take a look at the ground below the car. Check for any sign of dripping fluid which can either be from transmission fluid leaks or from engine oil leaks. These are signs of potentially serious problems with the engine.
If you are still in doubt of the car's condition after the test drive, you can hire a mechanic who can professionally inspect the car for possible issues. This is the final step towards ensuring that the car that you're test driving will be the car of your dreams.
What should I look out for when I am test driving a used car?
By: Jim Baz
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