Tips for Test Driving a Used Car

 

When looking to buy a new car a great option is a certified pre-owned vehicle. A certified pre-owned car is a vehicle that has been carefully inspected by the dealer and meets the car manufacturers standards and requirements for a used car. When you’ve found a few cars you like the looks of it’s time to take them out on a test drive. To make sure you go home with a vehicle you love there are a few things you should do when you take the car out for a drive.

 

1. Before you take the vehicle out for a test drive though you should do a thorough walk around. You want to make sure you like the way the vehicle looks. Considering it is a used car you may find a tiny scratch or ding but to qualify as a certified pre-owned car the dealer will remove dents and broken trim. Look over the wheels for any curb scratches and check the tread on the tires.  

2. Open and close all the doors. If the vehicle has a power liftgate make sure it opens automatically. On a van make sure all sliding doors open, shut, and lock securely. Again if the doors are supposed to open and shut automatically make sure they do so.

3. It’s always a good idea to look underneath the car. You want to check to see if any fluids are leaking, if the weather is warm you can expect to see air conditioning condensation to drip. It’s also a good idea to check for rust while you’re looking underneath the car.

4. When you finally get inside the vehicle make sure all the switches, knobs, and buttons work. Go ahead and turn on the audio system and make sure you like the way it sounds. If the car is packed with technological features you’ll want to check and make sure they all work properly.

5. Now that you’ve sat in the car for a few moments is your seat comfortable? If the car has heating and ventilation functions make sure they work along with any other functions the seat has. Then go over and do the same to the passenger seat and the back seats. Check for leg room, head room, and the condition of the seats. If you need a car or booster seat make sure there is room for them.

6. Take a good look at the inside of the vehicle. Is there enough cup holders? Does the cargo space fit your needs? How about the USB ports?

7. Now that you’ve checked over the interior and exterior of the vehicle, adjust the mirrors, your seat, and put on your seat belt. Now it’s time to start the car, you'll want to listen for any odd noises the engine may make.

8. Once you get going, check how fast the car accelerates. Make sure you take it out on the highway and bring it up to speed.

9. Finally, make sure you like the way the vehicle handles.

 

Now you are ready to come on down and test drive any of our certified pre-owned cars!

 

You can check out our full inventory of used cars here.