A test drive is vital in finding the right secondhand car. Most secondhand car buyers drive the car for a couple of minutes, listen to the sound system, and then ink the deal. However, this is where they go wrong and end up making a regrettable decision.

Fortunately, in this article, we’ve created a practical test-driving tutorial that helps you differentiate a keeper from a clunker, and eventually make your money worth.

Slow Down Your Movement

Inspecting any car is a fine art that requires genuine efforts and time to make the right bet. Don't be in a hurry; instead, take your time to look for signs of poor performance.  

Look for dings, scuffs, dents, and all the neglect & abuse we tend to easily miss when we quickly examine the car in just one glance. Don't drive it fast as it will not allow you to concentrate better on the functioning of the car.

These days, most car shopping websites provide genuine photos, reviews, and proper documentation so that their clients don't have to worry about the condition of the car. They offer certified cars to assure their customers complete peace of mind.

However, deciding on the credible used car search site isn't easy; you'll have to do a lot of homework, right from online customer feedback to clarifying your doubts with the site itself.

Open Every Door & Look For Perfections

Take your time, have a walk around the car, and slowly open each door and the trunk. Don’t feel timid to open & close the door more than once, especially when it doesn’t feel smooth on the first go.

Yes, the door hinge problem is quite prevalent as a car gets old, but what if there is frame damage that would cost you a hefty bill for getting it fixed.

Carefully examine the gaps and all the imperfections in front of you. Although you are not an expert mechanic, if you carefully look at the car, you can easily determine all the flaws.

Check the Buttons

The idyllic time to check all the feature buttons in the car is before taking it on the road.  Ensure that AC, headlights and indicators are working fine.

Adjust your seat, mirror, and test every button. Take a moment or two to ensure all of them are functioning efficiently.

Pop the Hood

When you switch on the engine, check whether the air conditioner is performing optimally. If it takes more than 15 seconds to get started, take note of it, since AC repairs are complicated and costly.  

After that walkout and pop the hood. You may be not a mechanic by profession, but you can still look at the three critical aspects of an engine inspection: the leaks, sounds, and fluid levels.

When the engine is working, carefully check the coolant level, any oil builds around the engine, and the transmission fluid dipstick must measure "cold" on the lower divot. Open up your ears for any rattling, tickling, or unwanted noises.

You can avoid this by shopping for a secondhand car from a trustworthy used car search website that offers verified cars with complete vehicle history.

Ask the Owner

If something is wrong with the car or anything that makes you suspicious, it's ok to ask a couple of relevant questions.

As you meet the owner, be polite and gentle and don't jump on the price discussion initially. Firstly, understand the condition of the car, and then make a reasonable offer, while highlighting the problems with the car.

Final Thoughts

If the vehicle doesn't meet your parameters, then thank the owner politely and say you've to test drive a couple of cars before you finalize.  Do not forget sharing your test drive experience with us in the comments section below: