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Crucial Things to Check During Your Used Car Test Drive (Beyond the Obvious)
Crucial Things to Check During Your Used Car Test Drive (Beyond the Obvious)
1. Test the Brakes on a Quiet Hill
Find a quiet, sloping street where you can safely test the brakes.
What to feel for: The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop smoothly in a straight line, without pulling to one side. A spongy pedal, grinding noises, or vibration through the pedal can indicate worn rotors or brake pads.
What to do: Accelerate slightly downhill and apply firm pressure to the brakes.
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2. Find a Bumpy Road to Listen for Suspension Issues
A car’s suspension absorbs the impact of the road. Worn components can lead to a rough ride and unsafe handling.
What to listen for: You should hear a dull “thump” as the car absorbs the impact. Any loud clunking, knocking, or rattling sounds point to worn shock absorbers, struts, or bushings that need replacement.
What to do: Intentionally drive over a speed bump or a slightly rough patch of road at a moderate speed with the radio off.
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Check All the Gears (If It’s an Automatic)
It’s easy to just drive in “Drive,” but a transmission issue might only reveal itself in other gears.
What to feel for: Gear changes should be smooth and seamless, not jerky or hesitant. Listen for any whining or humming noises, which are red flags.
What to do: Come to a complete stop, then accelerate smoothly but firmly. Feel the shift from 1st to 2nd gear. Then, find a safe, open area like an empty parking lot and slowly shift through Reverse, Park, and back to Drive.
At ClassicAutoCars, we take the guesswork out of used car buying. Every vehicle in our inventory has already passed these tests and dozens more in our professional 150-point quality inspection. We believe in transparency, so you can drive with confidence.
