How to Test Drive a Used Car Like a Pro

Posted Thursday, Apr 28, 2022

 

There’s nothing more exciting than buying a car.  That said, before you can get your hopes up on the first pretty car that you see, you need to make sure that it’s the right car for you.  This means that it has the right safety features, great miles per gallon, it fits in your budget, it’s reliable, and it’s in great condition.  After doing your research and finding a seemingly perfect car, there’s still one important step that you have to take: test drive the car.  This allows you to better understand how it feels to be behind the wheel, and also demonstrates the real condition that the car is in.  That’s why you should pay close attention to every detail while you’re test driving the car.

 

How to Test Drive a Used Car Like a Pro

When you’re ready to test drive the vehicle, there are 3 main steps that you should take.  If the car passes all three steps, then you know you’ve found the right car for you.

 

Step #1: Check the Exterior of the Car

 

couple buying a car together

 

Even though the car may look in perfect condition online, it’s important that you make sure that it’s in the same condition in person.  You should examine:

    • • The windows in case there are any cracks
    • • The tires, because replacing old tires is expensive and should be considered into the budget
    • • The body panels to see if the color of each panel matches
    • • Underneath the car to see if there are any pools of fluid or hanging wires

Once you check that, you should turn on the car and headlights and make sure everything is in order.  Take note of any weird noises, burnt-out lights, or unusual smells coming from the car. 

 

Step #2: Check the Interior of the Car

 

Interor of a car

 

When you first get in the car, you should organize it as you would any other car before you start driving.  This means adjusting the mirrors so that you can see, turning on the AC, fixing the seat so that you can reach the pedals, and anything else that you’d normally do.  This will give you a feel if you feel comfortable in the car, even before you start driving.  You should also check the interior features, including:

    • • Interior lighting
    • • Radio
    • • Cameras or parking sensors, if there are any
    • • Air conditioning
    • • Warning lights on the dash
    • • Seatbelts

In addition, don’t forget to check the space inside of the car and consider if it’s spacious enough for your lifestyle.  For instance, do you need to fit a carseat in the back?  If so, bring it with you to make sure that it fits comfortably.

 

Step #3: Take the Vehicle for a Test Drive

 

woman driving

 

Now that you’re done inspecting the interior and exterior of the car, it’s time to hit the road.  On the technical side, you should be checking for any abnormal sounds or vibrations, new warnings on the dashboard, if the car pulls to one side or the other when driving on a straight road (this could mean problems with the wheel alignment), and how the brakes feel.

On the other hand, you should also prioritize how you feel in the car.  Do you feel comfortable driving it?  Is this the car that you want to invest in?  Not only do you want a well-maintained car, but you want to find a car that you’re excited to purchase.

At Lux Auto Centre, we’re confident in the cars that we offer, but we want our clients to feel confident in them as well.  That’s why we encourage you to test drive different cars and check each one thoroughly before making a decision.  If you’re ready to test drive a car, schedule your appointment here.