Used Car Shopping: Your Test Drive Checklist

So you’re shopping for a used car and finally narrowing in on the exact car that you want to buy. Congrats! It takes a lot of time and effort to research cars and make the many decisions that have led you to this point.

Next up … the test drive!

Here’s a thorough checklist to run through before and during your test drive so you will have the confidence to know whether this car is the one you want to buy or if you need to keep shopping.

Before you drive

• Check the vehicle history report. Most major used car retailers will provide a vehicle history report for you free of charge. If your dealership doesn’t have the history report readily available, you can ask them to run one for you. If you’re buying from a private party, you’ll need the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) so you can check the vehicle history report yourself on the DMV's website or with another vehicle history report provider. CARFAX and AutoCheck are the most well-known companies that provide vehicle history reports.

 If the dealership refuses to show you the vehicle history report, this could be a potential red flag.

• Look for recalls. With the car’s VIN handy, you can quickly check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website for any recall information. Used car retailers are not required to disclose or fix open recalls before selling to you, so it’s crucial to do this research and understand what, if any, open recalls the car has. Legally, car manufacturers are obligated to fix the recall at no cost to you, but you may decide you don’t want to go through with the purchase.
• Bring a trusted person. If you have a friend or relative experienced with cars, bring that person along for the test drive. It can be reassuring to have a second set of eyes on the car and bounce questions back and forth.

During the test drive

During the test drive, you can examine the car from top to bottom, inside and out. While you’re out on the road, pay attention to how the car feels when you’re driving it. Think about things such as how it accelerates, how the braking feels, your comfort, and whether the interior controls are easy to access and use.

When you’re finished driving the car, park it and spend some time looking at the engine, the interior, and the exterior.

Check the engine

• Check the engine fluids. Look at the engine oil, transmission fluid, and coolant levels (when the engine is cool).
• Check for wear and tear. Examine hoses, belts, and other visible parts for signs of excessive wear.
• Check for audible issues. With the engine running, listen for any knocking, ticking, or tapping.

 If you’re not confident in doing these on your own, bring a car-savvy friend or ask about an extended test drive where you could take it to a local mechanic you trust.

Check the exterior

• Confirm that the VIN on the car matches the paperwork. In more recent models, the VIN is usually visible at the bottom of the front window on the driver’s side.
• Check the car body. Walk around the car, and look for potential signs of undisclosed accidents, such as unevenness in the paint or ripples or dents in the exterior.
• Check the windows. Look for cracks in the windows, windshield, and sunroof that could develop into bigger problems. Ensure the windows go up and down easily.
• Check for fluid leaks. Look at the ground beneath the car before and after the engine has been running to see if there are any fluid leaks.
• Check the tires. Take out your ruler, and place it inside one of the grooves of the tire’s tread. The tires should have at least 1/4 inch of tread. Look at each tire for signs of excessive or uneven wear, cracks or splitting, or lodged objects such as nails or screws.
• Check for rust. Pay special attention to the underside of the car, the wheel wells, the edges of doors and windows, and the trunk.

Check the interior

• Check the seats and carpets. Are there any rips or stains on the seats? How does it smell?
• Test everything. Do the heating and air conditioning work? Test the horn, turn signals, windshield wipers, automatic windows, door locks, and dome lights. Turn the key to the accessory position – the one right before the engine is engaged – and make sure all the dash warning lights illuminate.
• Ensure your car seats fit. If you have young children, check to make sure your child safety seat or seats will work with the vehicle. Yes, it’s okay to bring your infant seats, convertible car seats, and boosters to the test drive and practice installing them to see if they fit.

Making the final decision to buy your next car is a big step. With this list in mind, you’ll have greater confidence whether the car you’re test- driving is the one.

If it turns out not to be the right fit, that’s ok too. Car buying is a process, and we’ve got your back. You can always revisit the basics of buying a car today and continue with your research and shopping.