What you need to know when shopping for a used car

Shopping for a used car? It's important to be prepared with a bit of automotive wisdom. Use the below advice as a check list on your next inspection, courtesty of Enterprise.

Before you get into the used car:

• Check the trunk. Will it haul what you carry (golf clubs, baby stroller, etc.)?
• Make sure there is a spare tire, jack and tire tool.
• Check to see if there is an owner’s manual.
• Check the windshield for chips or cracks and the wiper blades.

When you get in the vehicle:

• Is the car easy or difficult to get in and out of?
• Is there enough head room and leg room?
• Take a deep breath. Does it smell like a used car? Does it smell like smoke or dirt? Often these smells will not go
  away without constant air freshener to mask them.
• Check the interior. Does it look like a used car? Is it clean or soiled? Consider that some spots will be difficult to
  remove.
• Look around and adjust the mirrors. Take notice of blind spots — your personal height, and positioning of the
  driver's seat determines the size of your personal blind spots.
• Can you easily reach and read the radio controls?
• Turn on the radio, turn up the volume and the bass and listen for distortion or buzz. This gives signs of blown
  speakers caused by abuse. Remember, you are only testing the sound system, don’t leave on during the entire
  test drive — you may miss out on revealing noises or rattles.
• Lower and raise every window, and check the sunroof if the car has one.

During the Used Car Test Drive

• Choose a route with stop-and-go driving and both smooth and bumpy roads. If you do a lot of highway driving, be
  sure to go on the highway.
• Before you take off, take a moment to notice how smoothly the vehicle changes gears (from park, to reverse and
  to drive).
• When driving, concentrate on the driving experience.
• As you drive, notice how smoothly the car shifts gears. An automatic used car should shift smoothly.
• Feel the brakes, notice how fast or slow the brakes respond.
• Does the car vibrate under your seat?
• If it is a four-wheel-drive, engage it and feel how easily the system operates. (CONTINUE...)