Tips for Test Driving a Used Car

Tips for Test Driving a Used Car

Tips for Test Driving a Used Car

The folks at Fred Martin Nissan explain what to look for

When you are looking at the purchase of a used car, a very important part of the process is the test drive. A thorough test drive is the best time to evaluate if a vehicle is right for you. In this article, we will cover what you should look for before, during, and after your test drive.

By the way, a great idea when you are evaluating a car is to bring a friend, or even better, a family member along.  Having another set of eyes and ears along will help you make sure you have really looked the car over well and made sure its right for you.

 

What should I do before I start the car?

Before you consider test driving a car, you should make sure that it’s a vehicle that fits your budget. After all, why try out the goods if you can’t afford them?  Hopefully, this is common sense!

It’s also a great idea to get a vehicle history report. Companies such as Carfax or Autocheck publish these reports and they document a vehicle’s background.

What do I pay attention to before I begin the test drive?

The first thing you’ll want to do is check out the car while the vehicle is parked and make sure it meets your needs. Got a family of five -does it fit five people comfortably? Got young kids -will your car seats buckle in? Do you haul a lot of stuff -will the vehicle have enough space to carry all of it? That sort of thing.

Before you start the engine, make sure you can set the seats, mirrors, and steering wheel into positions that are comfortable for you. Are you petite? Make sure you can see what you need to see through the windshield, in the mirrors, and across the dash. Can you see all the gauges well?

What do I look for out on the road?

When it’s time to get on the road, turn your senses up to full strength. As you drive, does the car ride comfortably for you? Some vehicles, typically sporty models, have stiff suspensions and a distinctive ride. Others have a more plush ride quality that you may find that more comfortable, especially if you do a lot of driving.

Next up is engine power. Does the car have enough power so you feel comfortable accelerating? Perhaps you need a car with a larger engine with more power, or perhaps what you are driving now is just fine. It’s during the test drive is when you should make determinations such as this.

Finally, how does it handle? Do you like the feel of the vehicle as you navigate corners and traverse uneven road surfaces? Is the steering responsive and how do the brakes feel? Are they easy to apply?

What do I do with my observations?

It is important to communicate to your sales person what you perceived on your test drive. In most cases, with the things that you note, he or she will be able to explain and even perhaps suggest alternative vehicles in some cases.

Get your next used vehicle from Fred Martin Nissan!

Considering a good used car? Then consider Fred Martin Nissan. Our mission is to provide great cars, at great prices, delivered by great people. That’s our business, and that’s our pledge to you.

 

Contact us and you will find that the professional sales team at Fred Martin Nissan is ready to help you get behind the wheel of the Nissan of your dreams, and at the right price.

 

We look forward to serving you!