Most used-car sellers aren’t trying to pass off an upcoming repair bill on you — but some are. That’s why the smartest used-car shoppers take extra steps during the inspection and test-drive process to ensure they’re getting a second-hand ride that’s not concealing any problems or headaches the seller would rather not deal with, leaving the problems for you to sort out.
First, ask the seller to ensure the engine is stone-cold, and hasn’t been pre-warmed ahead of your arrival. This may mean coordinating a time to see the vehicle when it’s been parked for an hour or two. Sometimes, sellers will pre-warm a vehicle’s engine to conceal a sound or issue that’s more apparent at startup—including visible smoke from the tailpipes, or an unwanted rattle or knock when the engine is cold.
2. Bring Some GearA few items are useful for your test drive, to help you get up close and personal with the machine you’re considering. A clean floormat or piece of carpeting can make undercarriage inspections more comfortable than lying or kneeling in the dirt, and a flashlight is an indispensable tool as well.
3. Under the hoodBefore your test drive, check all accessible fluids — including engine oil and transmission fluid. Specific instructions on how to check fluid levels are outlined in the owner’s manual. Is the vehicle turbocharged? If so, let the engine idle up to operating temperature, but don’t drive it yet.
Pull everything out of the vehicle’s trunk, lifting or removing the cargo floor panel, and spare tire beneath it, if needed. You want to see as much of the bare metal beneath the cargo area or trunk as you can. Then, sit behind yourself. It’s an easy step to forget, but setting the driver’s seat to your comfortable position and then taking a seat behind yourself can be a good tool to determine how much space your rear seat occupants will have, and which amenities are available to them.
A dull roaring noise is normal from most vehicle suspensions on a road like this– but popping, clanking, smashing or banging sounds from beneath warrant further investigation by a technician before you buy. For more detailed information on suspension noises, check out this video: First, slowly. Using light pedal pressure as if you’re intentionally riding the brakes, ‘feel’ for signs of vibration, pulsation or scraping from the brakes, and listen closely for a high-pitched squeal. These may be more apparent during light braking, so pay close attention. As you slow the vehicle, adjust the pedal pressure slightly at the tips of your toes, to see if you can coax out any unusual sounds.
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