Green Flag guide: How to Test Drive a Used Car
So, you want to know how to test drive a used car? If you’ve got this far, it’s likely that a car has already caught your eye; or you’ve at least got a shortlist of potential motors in mind.
At this stage, it’s important not to fall head over heels and get your heart set on a second-hand car. While everything can look peachy on first appearances, beauty is sometimes only skin deep in the used car world, and beneath the surface may lie mechanical issues waiting to cost you more time and money in the long run.
It’s for this reason that test driving a car, performing a vehicle inspection and checking the car’s history are all key parts of any purchasing process, and though it may seem tedious and a little time consuming, you’ll thank yourself later for giving everything the once over.
To help with matters, we’ve put together a handy checklist of how to test drive and check a used car tips.
Check the interior and exterior
Before you turn the ignition and hit the road, we recommend giving both the interior and exterior of the vehicle a thorough inspection.
This may mean exerting yourself a little and crouching down to check each nook and cranny of the car, but it’s important to look out for damage such as dents, scratches and gaps in the bodywork, as well as any impairment to the vehicle’s interior.
Things to include in a used car inspection:
- Rust and chips in the paintwork
- Dents and scratches to the bodywork
- Whether the panels fit, any gaps may point to the car being repaired following an accident
- Chips or small cracks in the windscreen which can result in expensive repairs
- Check the tyre tread; the tyres should have the minimum legal tread depth of 1.6mm (top tip: this can be easily checked using a 20p coin, the tyres should hide the outer ring of the coin.)
- If the tyres are worn further on one side of the vehicle compared to the other, this may point to a problem with the wheel alignment
- Excessive wear and tear on the car’s carpet, pedal rubbers and seats is a good indicator that the car could be older than advertised
- Lights, windows and any other electronics
Engine and oil level
One of the most important points to tick off during a used car test drive is a check of the vehicle’s engine and oil levels. First things first, the engine should be cold – if it isn’t, this may indicate that the seller has pre-warmed the engine to hide a starting problem. You can quickly identify this problem by checking if the bonnet is cold to the touch.
When you buy a used car, you should also check the following:
- Before starting the ignition, check the underside of the engine oil cap. If you find a thick, white substance, this could mean that there’s engine damage or a problem with the head gasket
- Excessive exhaust smoke when starting the car and during driving, especially when accelerating
- Unusual noises when the car is running
- A dark oily residue around the car exhaust and excessive smoke could indicate that the piston rings are worn out
- Check the levels of engine coolant and brake fluid
- Any rust or debris around the battery terminals
- The colour of the oil should be clear and a golden colour. Check this by removing the engine oil dipstick and wiping it clean with a cloth, reinsert the stick and remove it again to check the level of oil and the consistency. If the oil is dirty and darker in colour it could be due to receive a service.
Steering and suspension
Steering problems are common in ageing cars, so it’s a good idea to be aware of this during a test drive.
You should keep an eye out for the car pulling to one side on straight stretches of road, as well as any juddering motions or squealing noises when turning the wheel. A smooth, quiet ride is also a good indicator that the car’s suspension is healthy, any juddering or bouncing when going over bumps might mean trouble, as well as any unusual noises when driving.
Brakes
When braking, the vehicle should stop in a straight line, if it veers at all, this could indicate that the brake pads are worn. There also shouldn't be any vibration or rubbing noises during braking.
It’s also a good idea to test the handbrake for any wear and tear. A simple way of doing this is to perform a hill start with the handbrake on where you should experience no slippage – after all, who wants to be hurtling down a hill backwards when you shouldn’t be?
Clutch and gears
The only crunch you want in the morning is from your cereal, so it’s a good idea to check that all of the car’s gears change smoothly. If the car is an automatic, gear changes should still be smooth, quiet and immediate, a simple way to check this is to accelerate and monitor the gear change process.With regards to the clutch, you should check the biting point. If it doesn’t bite until near the top then this may be a sign that the clutch is worn and needs changing.
Plan a good test drive route
Before you take the car out of the garage or drive, have a good test route mapped out before you go. Factor in a good mix of road types, and preferably speed limits, to see if the car holds up at 70mph, and to see if it handles bumpy roads as well as smooth tarmac.
Check the paperwork
After test driving a used car, you should always check the paperwork with the seller, whether they're private or from a dealership. The vehicle should come with various documents that outline vital information on ownership and maintenance history. So if you want to be aware of any misdemeanours and MOT failures, make sure that these are in order.
V5C registration document
You should always ensure the car’s V5C registration document is included, in fact, you should never buy a vehicle without one. Also known as the logbook, this paperwork details the car’s colour, engine size and date of registration.
Servicing records
Ideally, the used car will come complete with a full service history, though this is not guaranteed. The service records contain the maintenance history, garage stamps and receipts from any vehicle services or repair work.
If the vehicle is over 3 years old, you should also check if the owner (or seller) has the old MOT certificates and servicing report sheets, which include the car’s recorded mileage. This will allow you to determine whether the mileage has been tampered with.
Vehicle History Check
A vehicle history check is an easy means of obtaining a comprehensive list of vehicle information, and it’s definitely recommended when purchasing a second-hand vehicle.
By accessing a range of databases, a check will be able to find out everything, from the vehicle’s engine size and when the MOT expires, to whether the vehicle has been involved in a serious accident or stolen. In short, make sure you check the vehicle’s history - ideally before you commit to a test drive.
So there it is, all the ins, outs and intricacies of how to test drive and check a used car. If you’d like more information on how to buy a used car, don’t miss our guide to buying a used car safely – oh, and don’t forget that all-important vehicle history check too.
