- How does the car feel when getting into
and out of a parking place?
- Test the windshield wiper and washer operation.
Don’t forget to check rear wipers on
used SUVs, station wagons
and hatchbacks.
- Check the air conditioning and heater. Do
they run efficiently?
- If the passenger(s) are talking, ask everyone
in the vehicle to be quiet so that you can
listen to the motor. Is it loud
or quiet? Does it make unusual noises?
- When driving on a bumpy road, ask everyone
in the vehicle to be quiet and listen for
any unusual rattles or
squeaks.
- Notice how straight the vehicle drives.
If it pulls to the right or left, it may be
in need of a front-end alignment, an
expense you may incur. (Note: The grade of
the road can affect how straight the vehicle
will drive.)
After
the used car test drive:
- Do the tires match?
- Use a rag to remove the oil filler cap.
Does white smoke come out of the hole? If
yes, you may want to move on to
the next used car of interest.
- Look at the underside of the oil filler
cap. Is there water, rust or sludge? If yes,
you may want to move on to the
next used car of interest.
- Pull out your used car comparison worksheet
and jot down your thoughts of the car you
just drove.
Adverse
Weather Conditions:
- Just because it’s raining or snowing
does not mean you should avoid looking at
a used car. Test driving the car during these
conditions will give you a good opportunity
to try out how the vehicle drives in these
conditions.
(Source: Enterprise)
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