Test drive the car before you buy

When you are thinking about buying a used car, you must drive the car before you sign that sales agreement. The car will give you a wealth of information if you know what to listen for. Make sure that the dealer or a sales person goes with you when you test drive the vehicle so they will be available to answer your questions.

Turn the radio off when taking a used car for a test drive.

You want to be able to hear rattles, squeaking, grinding, or other noises clearly. Ask the dealer or salesperson about any noises you hear. If the car has an automatic transmission listen for noises as the car changes gears. If the transmission is manual, be sure to ask about whether the clutch has ever needed adjusting or if it has been replaced. Manual transmissions in good working order should not lurch, bump, jump or make noise when the gear engages. The vehicle should not Turn on the heater, and then the air conditioner. A noisy fan could indicate a problem. If you hear a grinding sound when the air conditioner compressor starts up, there could be a problem with the bearings which is an expensive repair.

Listen carefully when you start the car.

It should start smoothly without holding the key for a long time and the starter should not make noise. If the starter squeals or makes other noises when you turn the key, this could indicate that the starter may need to be replaced. A slow starting vehicle may need a new starter or the battery may be weak. Drive the car onto a highway where you can drive it at 50 mph or faster. If the steering wheel pulls to one side, this may indicate a problem with the wheel alignment. Also watch for a jittery or shaking in the steering wheel. This could be a worn tire, a warped rim, or something much worse. Drive the car in traffic as well to test the brakes. Squeaking brakes usually indicates that the brake pads need to be replaced. If the brakes grind, this is a very serious problem and usually indicates that the brake pads are completely worn out and the hub may be damaged.

Next drive the car on side streets and take a few sharp turns. The wheel should turn smoothly without hesitation, jerking or pulling. The seat belts, lights, signals, and seat adjustments should all be in good working order. Be sure to check the brake lights and the back up light when the car is placed in reverse. You can have the sales person or a friend put the car in reverse and operates the brakes and signals while you examine them for burned out bulbs. Next test the radio and CD player to make sure it works properly and that the speakers are not damaged. Finally, check the tires. Uneven wear may indicate an alignment problem. If the tires are new, ask the dealer when the alignment was last checked.