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What things should I check before I drive out a new car? Even though is covered by warranty, there may be some defects that will be hard to prove that hasn't been made by me.
Looking for scratches on body seems to be very obvious but what else should I look for?
The Automobile Association in the UK has some excellent guidance, including:
Test Drive
- Do all warning lights operate normally? Lights will generally come on to test and then go out – unless there's a fault.
- Are the brakes effective or does it take a long time or a lot of effort to stop?
- Is braking even or does the car pull to one side?
- Any unusual noises when you brake?
- Is the handbrake effective?
- Any steering vibration or pull to one side?
- If ABS is fitted, does the warning light go out after the engine is started?
Engine
- Any abnormal noises when the engine is started from cold?
- Does the oil warning light go out as soon as the engine starts?
- Any signs of excessive visible exhaust emissions?
- Does the clutch operate normally? A noise when you press the pedal or a high biting point could mean that repairs will be required soon.
- Is the catalytic converter in good condition? Look for a recent emissions test, either alone or as part of an MOT. This will confirm that emissions are within the stringent limits applied to modern cars.
- Is there sludge on the underside of the oil filler cap? This could indicate poor servicing or predominantly short journey use.
- Is the oil level right? Too low shows neglect; too high could be a clue that the engine is using oil but it could just have been over filled in error.
- Has the cam belt been replaced according to the service schedule?
