Stretch the test drive out to give the car a good chance to warm up. Look, listen, smell and be alert to any unusual noises, smells or movements that might indicate a problem area.
What to look for on the Test Drive:
Handling
- City street handling
- Highway handling
- Two-lane road handling
- Two-lane road handling
Suspension
- Excessive body lean
- Body motion control
Engine
- Excessive body lean
- Body motion control
- Noise
- Acceleration
- Idle
Steering
- Ease of operation
- Vibration through steering wheel
- Road feel
Transmission (Automatic)
- Smooth shifts
- Noise
- Cruise control
Transmission (Manual)
- Clutch feel
- Smooth gear changes
- Cruise control
Four-wheel drive
- Easy to engage
Brakes
- Parking brake
- Brake pedal pressure
- Stopping gradually
- Stopping suddenly
- Antilock brakes
From the Driver's Seat
- Seat comfort
- Headroom
- Instrument panel clarity
- Road visibility
- Steering wheel position
- Legroom
- Ease of control use
- Armrest height
- Headrest comfort
- Power accessories
- Mirror controls
- Radio, cassette or CD player and speakers
- Heater, air conditioner and ventilation
- Remote trunk or fuel-door releases
- Horn operation
- Interior dome light
- Wiper/washer system
- Glovebox
- Cupholders
From the Passenger Seats
- Ease of entry and exit
- Legroom
- Headroom
- Shoulder room
- Steering wheel position
- Seat comfort
- Armrest height
- Headrest height
- Strap handles
- Reading lights
- Seatbelt operation
- Passenger airbag availability
- Folding rear seats
- Trunk pass-through
- Rear defogger
- Visor vanity lights
Look for quality of
- Upholstery
- Headliner
- Fit of interior panels
- Trim and moldings
- Dashboard
- Carpet and mats
Visual Inspection
- Paint
- Rust spots
- Tire tread wear
- Smoke from the tailpipe
- Body-panel dents
Use keys to check the locks and latches
- Doors
- Glovebox
- Anti-theft system
- Gas cap
- Trunk
Check the trunk for
- Spare tire
- Jack
- Lug wrench
- Carpeting and trim
- Trunk light
- Secure latching
Try these
- Trunk release/catch
- Hood release/catch
- Childproof locks
- Headlights
- Parking lights
- Reverse lights
- Brake lights
- Taillights
- Hazard lights
- Turn signal lights
- License plate light