The Test Drive
When shopping for a used car, the test drive is important. There are several major things that you should look for starting when you turn on the vehicle. The car should start up without any trouble and without a lot of noise. Any strange noises should be a warning that something is wrong.
Next, try to test drive the used cars on a variety of roadways. Try accelerating and decelerating safely. Check to see if there are any vibrations coming from the car while doing this. Drive next to a wall if you can. If you roll down the window, the wall helps you hear any strange noises better.
Be sure to apply the brakes on a straight roadway when no other vehicles are behind you. Hold the steering wheel very loosely and see if the car pulls to one side. This could be caused by a poor alignment or poor tires.
Check the steering at various speeds. The car should not feel like it is swaying all over the road. The car should not sequel when you are turning either. Check the exhaust as well. Blue smoke should not come out of the exhaust when accelerating.
There tips can help uncover major problems, but always get a second opinion if you are not familiar with auto mechanics. These tips are only meant to rule out the common major problems.
