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Test Drive
The test drive can be the most important step in buying a car, get it
right and you can spot faults, save money and avoid buying a whole heap
of trouble. Here are some of the golden rules…..
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Before you drive off check all the electrics – you don’t want to
find the horn or wipers don’t work whilst you are driving - Windows,
mirrors, sunroof, stereo, electric ariel and air con/heater (turn
from hot and cold to see if the system works properly)
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Check the all lights (even dash board lights), indicators, wipers
and horn – these are all essential safety items that you don’t want
to discover do not work just when you need them!
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Seat adjustment - forward /back, up/down and the lumbar support if
fitted (these often break and are expensive to repair) and make sure
you are comfortable before starting the car
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Make sure the stereo and fan are turned off so when you start the
engine you can hear for any nasty mechanical noises which often only
occur when the engine is cold
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Now move off, slowly
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Get used to the car before you start testing any of the following
items or the seller will wander what you are doing!
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Steering – resting your hands very, very lightly on the steering
wheel see if the car wanders to the left or the right, often a sign
of incorrectly aligned tracking or suspension damage – but it might
just be incorrect tyre pressures
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Brakes – again with the hands resting very, very gently on the
steering wheel apply the brakes to see if the car pulls left or
right
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Once you are stopped test the clutch – try pulling away in 3rd
or 4th gear with a good dose of revs – the car should
stall, if it doesn’t then the clutch is worn
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Listen for noises all the time, brakes grinding when stopping,
suspension knocks over pot holes or through corners, steering groan
when parking (different from the usual PAS sound)
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Take the car on a mixture of roads and surfaces that are typical of
your driving
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Always drive more than one example of a particular car before
deciding what to buy
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Remember - Never drive the car irresponsibly, it could be some ones
pride and joy and you certainly don’t want to have an accident
Next article
Rules of
Warranty
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