The Test Drive

You should never buy any car - brand new or second hand - without getting behind the wheel and giving it a try. To begin with, simply start the engine from cold, and make sure it ticks over happily; it should idle smoothly and rev evenly. Check the exhaust doesn't produce lots of blue smoke when you rev the engine - this is a sign of excessive internal engine wear. Listen out for any for unusual sounds, such as clunks and rattles. If you hear a screeching noise, this may indicate a slipping fan belt; however, this is fairly easy and inexpensive to fix.

Allow the car to warm up before moving off so that you can check that the cooling fan cuts in. You should then take the car out for a good run, making use of as many different types of road as possible, such as motorways, A-roads and country lanes. This will give you a chance to try out all the gears as well as the major controls, brakes, steering and suspension, and will give you a good feel for how the car handles in different situations. If you're not a car expert, take a knowledgeable friend along with you.

When you're out driving the car, pay particular attention to the following areas:

• Steering
  The steering wheel should rotate smoothly from lock to lock without any strange noise or vibration.
• Gears
  The gears should engage smoothly and easily without any grinding when the clutch is fully depressed. An extremely stiff or weak clutch pedal could be a sign of worn components.
• Brakes
  The brakes should feel responsive and provide smooth and reassuring barking combined with adequate stopping power when travelling at speed. Does it pull to one side when you brake?
• Visibility
  Can you see all around you easily - especially at junctions and when reversing or parking?
• Ride comfort and noise
  Is the car comfortable to drive? Is it quiet, or are there rattles and clunks when it is moving?
• Temperature
  Keep an eye on the temperature gauge; it should be in the normal zone after a short drive - worry if it's not.