What to keep in mind when taking a used car for a test drive

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by: bythesea
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Word Count: 445
Date: Fri, 15 Jul 2011 Time: 12:01 AM
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Buying a used car is an attractive option for many people who just don't have the budget to consider a brand new vehicle. Shopping around for a bargain can be an exhilarating activity - but when you've found what you think might just be your dream car, it's essential that you take it for a test drive.

Any honest seller should be more than happy to let you take the car out for a spin. If they do agree to it, make sure that the car has a current MOT and that your car insurance covers you to drive it.

The main mistake many people who take test drives in used cars make is to only drive around the block for five minutes or so. This is a major purchase you're making, so take your time and drive the car for 30 minutes to an hour. This is important for two reasons: firstly, to ensure that you find the car totally comfortable to drive, and secondly to give yourself enough time to discover any potential problems with the vehicle.

But what to keep an eye out for? Well, there are a few tell-tale signs that you should familiarise yourself with prior to taking a test drive. Do your research and find out if that particular make and model of car has any notorious issues that affect a high proportion of the vehicles - if so, check for them thoroughly and ask the seller if they've had problems along those lines in the past.

In terms of general potential problems to be aware of, there are some common ones to rule out. The first one may sound obvious, but be sure to listen out for any unnatural sounds coming from the car - this is a telltale sign that something is up. Don't be tempted to have the radio on while you take your test drive for this very reason - the music may mask a particular noise that could be key to your decision.

Also check that gear changes are as smooth as you would expect them to be; if the gears seem ‘sticky' or grind then there could be a problem with the gearbox. It's also important to check the brakes thoroughly, although many modern cars will have a warning light to let you know if there's a problem so check the relevant dashboard display.

Don't take any chances when buying a new car. Take your potential buy out for a lengthy spin using the above tips - and if the seller refuses to let you take a test drive then alarm bells should be sounding in your head about the quality of the vehicle.

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