Test Driving a Used Car

Many people are hesitant when it comes to used cars, especially test driving them. Many questions arise before you even get into the car, like what should I be looking for? How will I know if it's in good condition? We are here to help you break down some of the things you should be looking for when test driving a used car. One of the best things you can be during your car search is educated, and we want you to know as much as you possibly can. Down below we'll go over a few tips to consider when test driving, and hopefully they'll have you feeling more confident during the entire process.

Check out the exterior

Before you even get into the car to test it, you should make sure that you do a thorough walk-around. This includes turning the car on, checking the emergency flashers and headlights, and listen for any noises that might occur when you do turn the vehicle on. Even the exhaust is important to note, especially if you smell anything strong, or if you see any colors. You might also want to pay special attention to the paint to make sure that if there were no accidents reported, none of the panels look like they have been replaced. Finally, do a quick look under the car for any leaks that you might notice, along with making sure that the tires don't present any damage. If everything looks to be in order, then hop on in!

Experience the interior

Once you get inside the vehicle, adjust the seat, position the mirror, and if possible move the steering wheel. Get a good sense for how you would drive the car if it was your own. When you do all of these steps, are you in a comfortable position to see everything? Checking for potential blind spots give you a good idea of how you're going to drive the car, or how you're going to utilize any added features that might come with it. You'll also want to see how much legroom you get in the back seats, but if you've brought along some family or friends, they can do that for you. We highly recommend playing around with the infotainment system, and put on some comfortable or familiar music. You should also play around with the A/C system, and even if it's a hot day or a cold day, you need to make sure that the heating and cooling systems are working like they should. Don't forget to also check out the windows, and the sunroof if it has one!

Start the drive

Now that it's time to drive, we absolutely recommend taking the path less traveled by. Go to a road that isn't as smooth, that contains plenty of contains, and hopefully, also leads to a highway. It's important to make sure that your vehicle can perform just as well in a lower speed situation as it can on the highway. This is especially important when it comes to testing acceleration, braking, and turning. Throughout you need to be listening for any noises that might create some concern. You should also be listening to your windows and sunroof for any additional noise, which may mean there are some leaks. While driving, take in the instrument panel, and double check to see that everything is working properly and that no lights have started flashing. Once you think you've driven the car enough to get a good feel for it, bring it back and make your decision. But before you make a final decision, it is often recommended to take it to an independent mechanic that you trust.

Taking your test drive with Loan Approval Center

Once you've been through these different steps, it's time to make the decision. Whether you walk away with a car, or you walk away from the car, going in with as much knowledge as possible allows you to be more confident during the entire process. Be sure to check out our used inventory, and schedule a test drive with us today! We hope to see you soon!