How to Test Drive a Used Car

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Find out if the Car is right for you!
No one expects a used car they are thinking of buying to be the same as a brand-new car. After all, someone else has owned the vehicle and there is more to look for in terms of how the car was kept and maintained. No matter if you are buying from a private party or an auto dealership, you are naturally going to test drive the car and check it out thoroughly before you buy. What do you look for when test driving a used car? If you have narrowed your vehicle search to a specific make and model, you have a good idea of what you are looking for, but it takes a test drive to determine how you and your family fit with the car and if it is right for you. Here are the steps to take before, during, and after the test drive when buying a used car. 

Before the Test Drive

The first question is, does the car fit my budget? Talk to a few banks and credit unions or apply for financing through several lenders online. Once you have been approved for an auto loan for the amount you'll need to buy the car, you'll be ready to shop with a pre-approved loan offer in your pocket.
 
Having found a vehicle that you are interested in, you'll want to get a vehicle history report so you can learn how many owners the car has had and find out how it was maintained and if it has been in any accidents. 

At Lithia Motors, we provide a vehicle history report on the car you are considering at no charge. If the vehicle has been in an accident and was repaired, you'll be able to check the repair area on the day of the test drive.

Before you start the Car

It's a good idea to take a friend with you on the test drive. You're likely to be excited about the whole experience and having someone along as a second pair of eyes to check the car over is a smart move. Always do the test drive during daylight hours so you can see any flaws in the paint and body, see better under the hood, and be safer on the road.
 
  • First, do a detailed walk around the car. 
  • Look for any dents, dings, scratches or flaws. 
  • Check all the glass for cracks. 
  • Look at the wheels for curb marks and check the tires for tread and how they are wearing. All the tires should be a matching set by the same manufacturer. If possible, look at the brake pads. 
  • Look under the car and check for any leaks or anything that is hanging under the vehicle.
Some other items include, making sure that the paint on all the body panels match. Uneven paint can tell you that the car was repaired after an accident. Check the door panels to make sure all the rubber seals are in place. Pop the hood and see how clean the motor is. There's an old saying that how you do one thing is how you do everything. A clean engine bay means that it is likely the former owner took care of the service of the car. If all the belts and hoses appear to be new and you don't see any gasket leaks, that's a good sign.
 
Looking inside the cabin, check the condition of the carpet, upholstery, and headliner. If you have kids, make sure all the LATCH anchors for child seats are in place. Check all the seatbelts to make sure they function properly. Try sitting in the back seat to see how much headroom and legroom is available back there. Once you are sitting in the driver's seat, adjust the seat, mirrors, and steering wheel so that everything fits you. Remember that for proper fit of the steering wheel, you should be able to sit comfortably with your arms stretched forward and your wrists should sit easily on top of the wheel.
 
Are you comfortable in the car? How does it feel to you? How is the visibility when you look around? Before you set off, really check your visibility. Can you see the road and vehicles around you easily? Does the car have backup cameras and driver assist features to help you maneuver easily?

Start 'er Up!

Buckle up your seat belt, start the engine and listen to it run. It should sound smooth and the needle on the tachometer should idle steadily. Put the windows down so you can hear the engine run. Listen for any unusual noises. Make sure the vehicle runs through all the start up warning lights. If any warning lights such as the Check Engine light remains on, do not test drive the vehicle. Make sure the dealer checks and repairs any mechanical problems before you buy the car.
 
With the engine running, you should also get out and walk around the car, listening for unusual sounds such as screeching belts or loose mufflers. Look at the exhaust. If it is blue or black, the emissions system may have a problem. Also make sure that all the lights work. If everything looks good, you are ready to hit the road.

Hit the Road

Dealerships usually require that a salesperson drive along with you when you test drive a car. The dealership generally has a specific route that makes a loop near the dealership. Before you set off, check your visibility. Can you see the road and vehicles around you easily? Does the car have backup cameras and driver assist features to help you maneuver easily?
 
If possible, you want to try the car on several different road conditions including neighborhood streets with speed bumps or potholes to check the suspension, and on highways to check acceleration, handling and braking.
 
If you are buying from a private party, meet them in a public place that has surveillance cameras nearby such as a shopping mall. You need easy access to a variety of road conditions. Don't just drive around a parking lot and call it good.
When getting on a highway on ramp, put up the windows before you accelerate to highway speed. Check your visibility for entering traffic. Once you are at highway speed, put on your blinkers and switch lanes, how does the car handle? How does the suspension feel? With your hands lightly on the wheel, take your foot off the accelerator and see if the car pulls to one side or the other. If so, it may need a front end alignment. Do you feel any pulsing from the tires?
 
Speaking of, try the brakes. How far does the brake pedal go down before the brakes engage? Do you feel any pulsing or throbbing from the brakes? Does the steering wheel shake while you are braking? If so, the car may have warped brake rotors.

After the Test Drive

Once you are back from the test drive, if you are really interested in the car, you aren't done yet. Now is a good time to run through all the features of the vehicle to make sure they are working properly. The salesperson can be very helpful regarding all of the car's safety and driver assist features as well as all infotainment technology.
 
If you find things that need to be repaired, make a list. Turn on the radio and use the stereo's balance setting to listen to every speaker for any cracks that might indicate shorts in the system or a bad speaker. If the car has a CD player, try it out. You want to make sure that everything is working properly before you decide to make a purchase.
 
Check the power door locks, the power windows, the air conditioner and heater to make sure all work correctly. Adjust the fan speed to make sure the knob works right. Make sure all the modes work including the defroster. Does anything smell funny coming out of the vents? Moldy smells could mean the car has been sitting for a long time.

Pre-Purchase Inspection

If the vehicle passes all of your tests, it is still a good idea to have a trusted mechanic look the car over before you make the purchase. He or she will know about any problems that are common to the specific make and model of vehicle, will be able to deduce any potential problems that you may have missed and let you know what it will cost to make repairs.
 
The only time you don't need a pre-purchase inspection is when you are buying a certified pre-owned car that comes with a multi-point inspection and a factory warranty. See dealer for limited warranty details.
Let Lithia Help
With over 75 years of experience in finding personal transportation solutions for our customers, let Lithia Motors help you find the perfect used car for you. We have hundreds of dealers from coast to coast and thousands of used cars in our inventory. Let us show you how quick, easy, and fun it can be to get you behind the wheel of a great car that's new to you.