Drive responsibly: Don't jackrabbit from the start. You’ll make the owner nervous and probably scotch the sale. However, don’t hesitate to do it once you’re comfortable with the vehicle. Just warn the owner.
Drive a mixed route: Look for how well the car merges onto the highway. See what visibility is like on local streets. See how easy it is to view traffic signals.
The steering: When you turn the steering wheel does it respond promptly? Or, is there some delay in response? There should be no play in the steering wheel.
Hit the brakes: Find a quiet area, get the car up to the maximum legal speed, and jam on the brakes. See if the car pulls to the left or right. The brake pedal should have a firm feel. Soft or squishy brake response should be checked out. ABS brakes will act differently.
Check the alignment: When safe to do so take your hand off the wheel and see if the car pulls in one direction. Do this a couple of times on different road surfaces. This test indicates potential front-end alignment issues.
Find a bumpy surface: It could be an unsmooth road or a parking lot with speed bumps. See how the car responds after hitting bumps. It should’t wiggle like a bowl of Jell-O.
Keep your mouth shut: This is an old journalism trick that works with used car buying. People hate silence. It makes them want to talk. You’d be surprised how often owners will start talking about problems with the vehicle when a squeak or rattle presents itself. Play the stereo briefly and crank it all the way up to see if there is any distortion in the speakers.
Go parking: Take the car into a parking lot. See how easy it is to park. (Urban dwellers should also parallel park the vehicle.) Parking lots can be a good low-speed indicator of a vehicle’s visibility. Problems at 5 mph multiply exponentially on a busy highway.
