If you decide that you would like to get a used car, that is often a smart move. It’s typically better to buy a new one if you have the money for it, since a brand-new car is less likely to have anything wrong with it. However, brand-new vehicles can also be prohibitively expensive, and many individuals or families simply can’t afford one.
If you’re interested in used cars, Waxahachie residents, there are some used vehicle lots that will give you a good deal. When you take any used car for a test drive, though, you should be aware of what to look for. We will discuss that in detail in the following article.
The Exterior Inspection Process
Before you start the vehicle and drive it off the lot, there’s a list of features you should look at first. To begin, you’ll want to walk all around the exterior of the vehicle to make sure there is nothing obviously wrong with it that jumps out at you.
You will want to open and close all the doors to make sure they don’t stick. Pop the hood to make sure there is nothing wrong with its functionality. Pop the trunk and look inside. You’re looking for any type of stains or discoloration, as well as checking to see whether there is any type of odor.
Next, inspect the tires. They should all be uniform, meaning they’re from the same company. If you have four tires from different companies, you will want to ask the salesperson about the reason for it.
Make sure the tires are properly inflated, that none of them are leaking, and that they all seem to have the same amount of wear. Uneven wear on the tires makes a blowout more likely.
Look for any misaligned panels, dents, or scratches. Minor body damage might not necessarily mean you’ll pass on a car entirely, but you will not want to pay as much for it if these issues are present.
Get in the Car and Test Its Functionalities
Next, get in the car. Try the headlights to make sure they work. Check to make sure the taillights are working when you put the vehicle in reverse. Check the turn signals and the brake lights to make sure they are working as well.
Make sure all the lights on the dashboard illuminate when you start the car. See if there is any kind of a musty odor inside the vehicle that could indicate water or even flood damage.
Turn on the air conditioning and the heating to make sure they both work. Try out all the various controls and buttons. Adjust the mirrors. Try all the locks and windows.
Next, look closely at the upholstery and the seats. Do you see any rips or stains? If not, you should now feel comfortable taking the vehicle off the lot and trying it out.
The On-Road Portion of the Test Drive
When you get the car out on the road, see how it feels. Are you comfortable behind the wheel? Can you envision yourself driving to and from work every day in this car, assuming that’s something you plan on doing with it?
Try the car on some back roads and main roads. Get out on the highway and increase the speed to see how it feels.
You should next take it to a parking lot and practice some maneuvers with it. Try backing into a space and pulling out of one. Do you think you will feel comfortable in a vehicle this size? Might you want a smaller or larger one?
You will want to be mindful of your visibility. You should be able to see clearly in all directions when you’re sitting behind the wheel, including checking your blind spots.
What Else Should You Look For?
You will also want to test the various electronics while you’re out on the road in the vehicle. Try the navigation system and the radio, assuming the car comes with both.
Test the transmission to make sure that you can switch from one gear to another smoothly. Listen for any noises and be aware of any vibrations that seem worrying.
Check how the suspension feels by driving over a few bumps. Rough terrain is unavoidable once you have bought a car, and you want to see how it will perform when you encounter some.
Check the steering wheel to make sure it is responsive and feels comfortable in your hands. Does the car handle well when you turn it in either direction?
Make sure that the vehicle can accelerate smoothly and that it comes to a smooth stop when you tap the brakes. You may even want to brake more suddenly to see how the car reacts when you do it.
Listen for any unusual or odd noises both when you start the car and turn it off. Listen when it’s idling at a stop light as well.
What Do You Think?
When the test drive concludes, assess how the experience went. If you are trying out a make or model of car that you have driven before, you should have a good idea of what to expect. You will probably be able to tell pretty easily if there’s anything dramatically wrong.
Don’t be afraid to ask any questions you have. Remember, you are not under any type of obligation to buy. If you’re not entirely convinced that this is the vehicle for you, then you can always take a day or a week to think about it.
Make sure not to respond to high-pressure sales tactics. If you’re running into anything like that, it’s a sure sign that you should not give this car dealership your business. In the modern era, salespeople should know better than to behave in such ways.
If everything seems satisfactory, you can move forward and sign the paperwork. You should feel excited driving your used car off the lot. Hopefully, it will serve you well for many years.