Buying a used car can be a stressful and confusing process. Between worrying about buying a lemon and struggling to find anything of quality within your price range, buying a car can be harder than necessary. If you don’t do your due diligence, you could end up paying too much for a low-quality car or buying something with unforeseen problems. While it is common practice at Tillema Auto to ensure all vehicles are road-worthy and priced appropriately, not every dealership looks out for their customers like we do. A great way to avoid these outcomes is by taking the used car for a test drive. But even taking a test drive may not reveal all the information necessary to make a prudent decision. Check out these test drive tips to ensure you’re getting the most out of your test drive experience.
Test Drive Tips: Before You Drive
Before going to the dealership to test drive a car, it’s important to narrow down the kind of vehicle you are looking for. If you show up at a dealership without doing the proper research, it will be much easier to get overwhelmed and confused by the many options available. Before you start shopping, think about details like how many seats you need, what features are important, and if there’s a specific make or model you want to find.
Inspect the Exterior
When you’re buying a used car, you know that the vehicles you are looking at aren’t going to be in perfect condition, but you also want to make sure you are still getting your money’s worth. During your walk-around is the perfect time to get a feel for the vehicle, both aesthetically and utilitywise, before taking it for a test drive.
Here are just a few of the things to look for when inspecting the exterior:
- Dents or Scrapes – The physical condition of the vehicle will affect the price, even if the vehicle still runs soundly. The exterior can also be a good indicator of how well the vehicle has been cared for. Dents and scrapes can cause rust, which, if ignored, can eat away at the car and cause structural damage.
- Under the Hood – Check the oil levels, the color of the engine oil, and check the battery terminals, belts, and hoses for corrosion.
Inspect the Interior
Now that you’ve had a look at the exterior, it’s time to take a look inside the vehicle.
Here’s what to look for when inspecting the interior of your potential vehicle:
- Seating/Comfort – Try out all of the seats in the vehicle – the driver’s seat, the passenger’s seat, and even the backseat. You probably won’t be using those seats often in your own vehicle, but more than likely, you won’t want your passengers or kids feeling uncomfortable. You can also make sure that the heat and A/C are working properly all the way to the back.
- Cargo Space – When inspecting the vehicle, be sure to check the cargo space to see if it fits your needs. While this may not seem like an important detail to many, you’ll want to make sure it’s a size you’ll be happy with.
- Bluetooth/Radio – This may not be important to everyone, but many people nowadays rely on Bluetooth in their car for directions or music without having to be distracted while driving. So it may be important to make sure Bluetooth is an option and that the radio is working properly.
Test Drive
Now that you have finished your inspection of the vehicle, it’s time for the actual test drive.
Here’s what to look for during your test drive:
- Visibility – One of the most important things to consider when driving a vehicle is visibility. Does the car give you a high level of visibility without the use of a rear-view camera? If not, it may not be the right car for you.
- Braking – A vehicle’s brakes are the primary source of safety for the driver and their passengers. Make sure the vehicle’s brakes are working properly before continuing with the test drive.
- Handling – How does the car handle? Make sure the steering wheel is responsive and that the car handles itself well on all terrains. A good way to test is to take the vehicle on all types of roads, at different speeds, and check different gears on your test drive. If you feel the car pulling to one side or the other, this could indicate that the car may need some work soon (for example, alignment, suspension, brakes or tires, etc.).
Schedule a Test Drive
Now that you’ve read these test drive tips, you’re ready to schedule a test drive! Schedule a test drive with Tillema Auto today, to find the vehicle that best fits you!
