4 Tips On How To Test-Drive Used Cars

There’s a lot more to test driving a car than just taking it out for a spin. You have to really get to know a car, maybe even fall in love with it, before you commit to buying. When you test drive a car, here’s are four tips that’ll ensure you make the most of your time:

1. Make an Exterior Inspection Checklist

Before you even get behind the wheel, you’ll want to inspect the exterior of a used car. Be sure to take this quick list:

Tires. Check if for worn tires or cracked, and check if the wear is even on all four tires.

Rust and Dents. Check doors and hinges for rust. Look along the side of the car for ripples that could signal past repairs.

Lights. Operate the headlights, brights, brake lights, and turning signals to make sure they all work.

2. Make an Interior Inspection Checklist

Once in the car, remember to check that the seats and controls are up to your standards. The smell and condition of the seats is certainly something to consider, but don’t forget to check these things:

Stereo. Operate the stereo, including the auxiliary option or CD player if available.

Seats. Try adjusting your seat and the passenger seat.

A/C and Heat. Work the air conditioning at all fan levels and temperatures.

Cruise Control. Make sure the cruise control works, even when you use the turn signal.
As you inspect the car, keep an open mind and take notes for future decision-making.

3. Look for Value-Adding Features

Do you know what makes a car a good resell? You can enjoy the luxury of these features and still get some money for it if you decide to sell again:

Hands-Free Option. With many states forbidding drivers from using their cellphones while on the road, newer cars are offering hands-free or blue-tooth options. These laws aren’t likely to change, so the value of these systems will stay intact.

Leather Interiors. Leather has long been appreciated as a high value in cars. It is still preferred today, so go ahead and spend the extra on leather if you love it. You aren’t likely to lose the money on it when you sell.

4. Ignore Value-Diminishing Features

While great features like cruise control and intelligent keys can add to your car’s resell value, too much customization wastes money when it comes time to get rid of the vehicle. Here are two things that a sales rep might highlight but that you shouldn’t consider as an addition to your car’s value:

Flashy Colors. Something unusually bold or bright like gold or lime green may seem cool at the time, but it can make resell difficult. Traditional colors like black and white are a surer way to go.

Flashy Rims. It’s not that you can’t buy nice and new rims for a car you buy used , but something especially flamboyant or expensive may put off some buyers. Instead, choose moderately sized rims.

Did you take a checklist to your test drive? What tips do you have? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Tags: car AC, car lights, car seats, car stereo, cruise control, Exterior Inspection Checklist, Interior Inspection Checklist, rust and dents in cars, test drive a car, tires, used car test drive, Value-Adding Features