8. Inspect and Test Drive the Car
Even if you’re not an expert, it’s up to you to perform a preliminary inspection.
Richard Reina, product training director at CARiD, offered some tips:
On the exterior, check for chip-free paint, clear glass and signs of rust. Ask when the tires were last replaced. Check under the hood and examine the brake fluid, which should be yellow, amber or brown. Dark fluid usually needs to be changed.During the test drive, make sure the car starts within two to five seconds with no odd noises, and also listen for noises when the car is idling.Finally check the interior to make sure the lights, windows, windshield, and dash gauges are working.