Finding the ideal car for your needs isn’t that difficult, but you would have to know what you want and expect in the first place. No one chooses a car simply because of how it looks; there are other factors to consider, such as how practical it is, whether it will fit your requirements (and fit the passengers who will use it!), and fit within your budget, too. Having a test drive is even more crucial when you are buying a used vehicle because it gives you a chance to know if the car is still in good condition and will work well on the road, among other things. But what should you look for when test-driving a used vehicle? Here’s what you should know.
Before your test drive
Once you are at the car lot and see the car face to face, it’s time to do a visual inspection. You can start with the car’s color – does the color look right when you see it in person? Colors can appear different from when you view them in a photograph. Try to shop during the day to have a better perspective on how it looks with natural light. Remember to look at the cargo space, and if you have a child, bring your child seat so you can check if it fits on the passenger seat. Consider the car’s measurements and make sure it fits into your driveway, parking space, or garage.
Once you get in
When you get into the car, is it easy or difficult? Once you sit, assess your driving comfort and position. Do you have enough room for your legs and hips? How does the position of the pedals feel? Are they comfortable, or too high or low? If not, can you adjust them? It would be good to sit on the backseat so you can feel if it’s comfortable enough.
Once you’re inside, check the controls and gauges and make sure you can easily read them, as suggested by the used car Utah experts from Young Automotive. Is it easy to adjust the car’s climate control? Before you begin driving, make it a point to fix the seat, put on the seat belt, and adjust the mirrors.
While you’re driving
Now this is the most important bit, and while the salesperson may recommend driving on a pre-set route, you may want to ask them if you can drive on a different route, and they may agree. If they do, make sure the drive matches your usual driving experiences. If you are often on the highway, go to the nearest freeway to see how the vehicle performs at high speed and accelerates.
While you are driving, assess various points, such as the car’s acceleration, the noise of the engine and tires, and how much noise gets in from outside. You should also evaluate how the car brakes and check how the car’s steering feels and whether or not it is adequately responsive. Check the suspension as well – is it soft or stiff? Does the car drive comfortably even on rough roads?
Don’t forget to test the car’s tech features, from the Bluetooth to the infotainment system, the apps, the backup camera, navigation, and the controls for the steering wheel.
