Pre-owned Cars Let the Buyer Beware
No matter how good the car dealer or how great the recommendations were that got you there, once you have picked out your favorite vehicle on the used cars lot and its time for a test drive it’s between you and the car. Even a vehicle that has been given the once over buy the dealers top mechanic can have its hidden defect come to life just as you slam the door and head out on the road.
Make sure your final test drive is just that. Test everything you can possibly can under real world conditions. Drive on a fast highway, a slower city street and don’t forget the bumpy roads. Things will come to life when jostled. Loose steering, wheel rattle, and unsecured hardware will get noisy only under adverse road conditions so look for adverse test grounds.
Work the windows, radio, heater and air conditioner, windshield wipers, regular and emergency lights, slam (not too hard) all the doors and check the trunk, engine compartment with your eyes and nose (mildew smell in the trunk is bad news) And after you’ve returned and talked with your salesperson for a few minutes check under the car for things that might have leaked since your test drive.
While on the road, find a desolate stretch and power test the brakes and do some sharp turns, listening for noises that may signal mechanical malfunctions. You don’t have to be a mechanic to see, hear, smell or feel that something isn’t right on a used car.

