CHECKLIST FOR TEST DRIVING A CAR

Home » Automotive » Repairs Join Sign in EzineArticles - Expert Authors Sharing Their Best Original Articles Custom Search Search Sarahbeth Kluzinski Platinum Quality Author Platinum Author | 400 Articles Joined: April 19, 2012 United States 5-Point Checklist for Test Driving a Vehicle By Sarahbeth Kluzinski | Submitted On October 08, 2017 Recommend Article Article Comments Print Article Expert Author Sarahbeth Kluzinski Don't worry, because a five point turn is not on the checklist of things to do when test-driving a vehicle. Buying a new or used vehicle can be stressful for people because everyone wants the best possible car of their choice, in the best possible condition, and all within their seemingly-unrealistic budget. This, unfortunately, narrows the list a bit, however, there are smart ways to test out a vehicle in order to ensure you are at least buying a quality asset that is safe and suits your driving needs. Continue reading to learn five things to look for when you are test driving a car or truck, so that you may better negotiate a deal and make better purchasing decisions. 1. Exterior Appearance The first place you want to inspect is the exterior of the car or truck. How's the condition of the paint? Is it shipped, scraped, or faded? What about the condition of the body? Are there dents and scratches on the bumper, fender, or doors? Are there cracks in the windshield? All of these aspects can be used against a seller in the negotiations to get a fairer price. 2. Interior Appearance and Amenities Next, open the doors and take a look inside. Are the doors squeaky or difficult to open? Do they feel heavy or loose? What about the interior fabric? Is it in good condition? Are there stains, burn holes, ripped carpet, or other similar damages? Is the roof fabric loose and droopy? Are the dashboards in good condition? Is there a spare tire and jack? 3. Under the Hood Always look is under the hood of the vehicle. Check to see that the engine bay is clean and damage-free. Next, look at the condition of the battery, see that all the proper caps are in place, and inquire whether or not it takes premium or unleaded fuel. Overall, use your common sense to inspect everything under the hood with a glance, and decide if it looks legitimate. If you have concerns about what you see, then you might want to have the vehicle inspected by a licensed mechanic before making any negotiations with the seller. 4. Drivability Now it's time to actually see how the car drives. See how the steering wheel turns. Does it pull to the left or right? Take note of how the car feels in drive mode. Is it a smooth ride? Does it feel bumpy? Are the brakes squeaky? Does it take a long time to come to a complete stop? Does the car feel heavy or out of line? All of this can be identifiers of common vehicular maintenance and repair issues. Again, these faults can be used as a negotiations tactic when deciding on a final price. 5. Interior Features Before getting out of the vehicle and ending your test drive, be sure to check all the amenities and features inside and see that they all work properly. Check the automatic windows, radio, navigation, air vents, sun roof, mirrors, lights, and more. Also take note of the number of cup holders, storage, seating, and more to match these features with the ones on your wish-list. Call Northeast Auto Service at 317-475-1846 for pre-purchase vehicle inspections and auto repair in Indianapolis, Indiana. They provide free estimates, DIY advice, auto repair coupons, fair rates, and more. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Sarahbeth_Kluzinski/1326228 0 Comments | Leave a Comment Did you find this article helpful? Happy Face0 Sad Face0 Viewed 11 times Word count: 528 Article Tools EzinePublisher Report this article Cite this article Stay Informed Subscribe to New Article Alerts: Automotive: Repairs Sarahbeth Kluzinski Email Address Subscribe We will never sell or rent your email address. Repairs Article Feed Repairs Article Feed Find More Articles Search Recent Articles What Are The Tips To Keep In Check Before Truck Engine Repair? When Should Automotive Engine Coolant Be Replaced? Brake Pad Replacement: What Are Anti-Lock Brake Systems? Clutch Kit: What Is a Clutch? Brake Discs: How Do Brakes Work? Repairing Flood Damage to Your Car Step By Step: How to Change A Tyre 7 Tips for Minimizing Auto Repairs Reasons for Fuel Injector Burning What Are Major Issues In Heavy Duty Truck Repair And How To Resolve It EzineArticles.com About Us FAQ Contact Us Member Benefits Privacy Policy Shop Site Map Blog Training Video Library Advertising Affiliates Cartoons Authors Submit Articles Members Login Premium Membership Expert Authors Endorsements Editorial Guidelines Terms of Service Publishers Terms Of Service Ezines / Email Alerts Manage Subscriptions EzineArticles RSS © 2017 EzineArticles All Rights Reserved Worldwide