Whenever possible I always like to take a car for a quick test drive. Of course with $1000 dollar or less cars this may not always be a possibility. An important thing to keep in mind is that on our test drive we are not only determining if we like the way the vehicles drives, handles, etc. we are also keeping our eyes and ears open for any potential mechanical problems that may need to be addressed or factored into our purchase price.
So lets fire it up! Personally I like to always leave the hood popped and after starting the vehicle take a quick walk around to listen for any strange noises. A lot of times there are noises that you may only hear while standing outside the car as opposed to sitting in it. Take note of how easily the vehicle cranks over and starts up. With the car started keep a watchful eye on the gauges especially the coolant temp. and oil pressure (if there is one). See if any check engine lights are tripped. With later model cars if a check engine light comes on many parts store chains offer to check what sensor is being tripped for free.
A good rule of thumb is to let the car sit and idle until it reaches its operating temperature. A lot of times vehicles will not show hesitations or a lumpy idle until they are fully warmed up. These symptoms can also occur when some vehicles are cold as well. Once the car is warmed up take it for a drive. Now of course the more you can do the better but it's very understandable if an owner doesn't want you going full throttle or trying to take the car on the highway.
If the radio works - that's great - now TURN IT OFF! Remember we're trying to look and listen for strange noises and things out of the ordinary. Special areas to take notice of are the steering feel (is it heavy? when your turn the wheel to full lock does the car hesitate or shudder?) The brakes and clutch ( Are they spongy? Does the pedal drop to the floor? Do you hear any squeaks or grinding?).
When it comes to high mileage cars the transmission is a very important item to check. If the vehicle has a manual transmission, note the shifter feel and how well the car comes in and out of gear. Some vehicles by nature have a rather sloppy shifter feel, but watch out for things like popping out of gear or the clutch engaging really high on the pedal this could mean the clutch is becoming worn out. With automatics pay close attention to how the car shifts. Things to notice are is it shifting very rough? Is it shifting very slow or sloppy? A special note for automatics is to check the transmission fluid level. This can be done just like the oil with a dipstick under the hood, but usually the vehicle must be at full operating temp. first to get an accurate reading.
While on your drive note the vehicle's reaction to bumps and turns. Usual items in the suspension that wear out are the shocks or struts, but also be aware that your suspension has a variety of rubber bushings that are also subject to possible wear.
Finally this may sound silly to some, but you would be surprised to see how many people neglect to test things like brake lights, turn signals, wipers, the locks, how well the windows roll up and down, and other miscellaneous items. When you shut the car off after a few minutes take a quick glance under the car again to see if any new leaks or drips have developed.
Now the tips and things to inspect in this write up are for general purpose with all vehicles with the non-mechanically inclined buyer in mind. If you want to learn a little more about things to look out for in your specific vehicle check out Part 3 of this series. where we'll cover how to get this information and where to find it.
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