Driving and Maintaining Your Car

3 Essential Tips for Test Driving a Used Car

It's shiny, looks and smells mint, and it's a used car. When buying used vehicles, most buyers do not treat the test drive as the most critical part of the purchase process. The buyers get attracted to and carried away by the aesthetics even before putting the car to the test. However, it is a wrong approach to buying a used car because you can learn a lot from a test drive than from a salesperson. It is especially the case if you know your way around cars. This article highlights tips for test driving a used car. 

1. Play With all the Buttons -- When you're done with the exterior, it's time to get in and prepare for a test drive. A common mistake that most people make once they get in is to start the engine, and off they go. The purchasers do not mind fidgeting with the buttons on the go. It is much better to test all the buttons before you attack the open road. Take your time and play around with every single button that operates something inside the car -- from the windows and radio to the mirrors and A/C system. Your ultimate goal here is to make sure that everything is working correctly. Only when you are satisfied that the accessories are working can you start the engine and begin your test drive. 

2. Drive With the Windows Up and Down -- It is common for used car drivers to not roll the windows down during a test drive. It can probably be attributed to the built-up excitement, which prompts the need to appear like other motorists on the road. There is nothing wrong this, but driving with both windows up or down serves specific purposes. For instance, when the windows are down, pay close attention to sounds that are made by the tires, transmission and chassis. Listen for any strange noises when you shift gears and whistling sounds when you rave the engine. If everything seems to be okay, wind the windows up and listen to the interior environment. Is the A/C humming the way it is supposed to or is it working too hard? Do the pedals -- clutch, brake and accelerator -- squeak or creak when you step on them? You can only make this determination if you block outside noises. 

3. Save the Negotiations or Small Talk for the Office -- When you are test driving a used car, the salesperson in the passenger seat should let you do your thing. Most salespeople like to engage you in conversations, and as innocent as it might be, you need quiet time to focus. A professional salesperson will appreciate and understand your point. During a test drive, any small talk can shift your focus, and you are likely to miss critical clues about the used car's condition.

To learn more, contact a company like Blue Ribbon Motors today. 


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