Why You Should Test Drive The Car Before Purchasing It
As a customer, we have become more aware of our rights. We go a great length to ensure that the brand or product we purchase is up to the mark and devote considerable time and effort in researching things. Whether it is shopping for clothes or buying a new mobile phone, we want to get the best product within our set budget. However, when it comes to purchasing a car (new or old), some people blindly believe what salesperson says or what the company claims. They don’t bother to crosscheck facts and even buy the vehicle without test driving it, only to repent their decision at a later point in time.
Making a purchase decision only by looking at attractive exteriors and luxurious interiors of a vehicle is not an intelligent choice. Some cars look very attractive both on the outside and inside but when one drives it, their overall performance comes out to be far below expectations or different from what you want you were looking for in your car. Therefore, test driving the car before you actually purchase is a recommended practice as it could possibly save you from making a wrong purchase decision. This is even more significant in case of buying a used car and here’re reasons that explain why you should test drive a used car before buying it.
1) Closer look and finer details: Taking the car for a test drive provides you an opportunity to closely experience the car – both inside and outside. In case you are planning to buy a used car, pay close attention to important places which are prone to have scratches and dents – carefully monitor lower portions of bumpers, skid plates, and door sills. Also, evaluate the condition of mud flaps and check whether the headlamps and tail lamps are properly working or not. Most of the time, the reversing light of the cars are non-operational and in that case, you should ask the owner of the car to carry out the repair work.
2) Interiors condition: Test driving the car means getting up close and personal with the car which in turn provides you a true picture of the car’s condition. Like exteriors, the condition of interiors of a used car also becomes immediately apparent once you slip behind the driver’s seat. You get the feel of the steering wheel in addition to having an overview of the rest of the machine. The important places you should check on include the condition of the dashboard, appearance of the floor mats, working status of the music system, operational efficiency of air conditioner, and status of upholstery. All these things help you to get a fair idea of the overall condition of the car’s interiors and this, in turn, will be of great help in finally deciding whether to buy the used car or not.
3) Driving performance: The most important benefit of test driving a used car is that you get a fair idea about the running condition of the car. Engine and transmission are the two most important components in a vehicle and you will know about their working condition only after a test drive. Do not believe the sugar-coated words of the seller about the excellent performance of his/her car; rather you should judge by yourself the actual performance of the car by taking it for a test drive. Also, it is recommended that you select some highway or open stretch of road to evaluate the performance rather than confining test drive within the crowded roads of the city. Along with the performance, you can also check the level of engine oil, brake oil, and coolant to gauge how well the owner is maintaining his/her car.
4) Steering wheel, Suspension system, and Brakes: Besides the performance, you should also comprehensively analyze other mechanical components of the car. Monitor closely how effortlessly the steering wheel is working and whether it requires extra effort while maneuvering through the city roads and curves. Similarly, gauge the performance of the suspension system (springs, damper, and suspension travel) in terms of isolating you from the road abnormalities. The braking effectiveness is also one of the critical criteria of evaluation and if you find stopping power a bit lacking, you should raise this with the seller and accordingly get it repaired or replaced accordingly.
5) Tires condition: Judging the condition of tires is not a very difficult thing to do. You can easily have a fair estimate of the tire’s life by its tread. If you notice uneven wear, ask the seller to replace tires or get the money adjusted in the deal if the seller asks you to change tires. Similarly, it is important to enquire about the condition of the spare wheel and the tool kit both of which are an important part of the standard equipment.
In sum, many people rely on the certification when it comes to buying a used car. No doubt, certified cars are definitely better owing to a number of quality checks and inspection they have been through even as it is not very difficult to adjudge the car yourself. Taking the car out for a long and comprehensive test drive is a great way to invigilate the car and it will help you to make an informed decision whether to buy it or not. On the other hand, if you are planning to sell your used car, you can [sell](Selling Your Old Car: Top 5 Things to be Careful About) it on CarDekho Gaadi in a single visit. The portal ensures you get the best value for your car and once the deal is done, you get the money in your bank account instantly. CarDekho Gaadi also provides the facility of free RC transfer in addition to helping you in the loan closure process. Log on to https://www.cardekho.com/ or call us on 1800-12345-2323 for any assistance.
