21 things to check when buying a car

There are some keys things it is crucial to check on that all-too-brief test drive.

There are some keys things it is crucial to check on that all-too-brief test drive.

Published Jan 28, 2015

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Johannesburg - It's all too easy to get caught up in the excitement and uncertainty of buying a car, when the biggest single stress point is often getting the finance approved, but there are some keys things it's crucial to check on that all-too-brief test drive.

"Don't make the mistake of assuming that just because a car is brand new, it's the right car for you," advised Budget Insurance spokesman Martin Janse van Rensburg,

Here's his 21-point checklist:

First make sure the demo vehicle is the same model as the one you're buying. You're likely to be very disappointed in your expensive new car if you test-drive the 1.6-litre version and then buy the 1.2.

Once you're comfortable behind the wheel, reach out and touch all the primary controls. Are they where you'd expect them to be? Can you reach them with your seatbelt fastened? Can you reach the handbrake lever with somebody in the front passenger seat. Carmakers are putting huge effort into effort into creating interiors with more style and unique layouts - but ergonomics can make or break a good car.

Observe how certain features might become irritating in day-to-day use, such as a too-small glove compartment, or a finalist in the "world's most complex cup holder" competition - or just a remote boot latch that you can't reach without banging your forehead on the hooter button and waking the neighbours!

The front doors may be large and easy to use - but check rear access as well, or getting your toddler in and out of their booster seat may become a pain in the back.

Are the rear seats comfortable? Big enough for adults? Do they fold properly flat to take a months' worth of shopping?

Make sure the model you're buying has the safety features you need, such as airbags, electronic driver aids and even adjustable seatbelts, especially if you're very tall.

Make the clutch isn't too hard or the steering too heavy and, unless you are exactly the same size and shape as the maker's crash test dummy, check the range of adjustment on the seat and steering column.

Sway your upper body from side to side to ensure that the seats are supportive and neither too soft nor too hard.

Do the gauges and display screen tell you everything you know? Is it simple and intuitive to scroll though its menus? This is a safety concern: if you can't do it quickly and easily in the car park it will be dangerously distractive while you're driving.

Bring your iPod along for a sound check of the car's audio system - along with the how simple it is to operate once connected to the car's infotainment system (see above).

Does the car have Bluetooth connectivity? Is it compatible with your handset? Oddly enough, complexity is not an issue here; pairing of devices is not something you do while driving - it's illegal, for a start.

If the car has a navigation system, is it intuitive to operate on the move and accurate in its directions?

During the test drive, take the car over varying road surfaces, at varying speeds - don't be pressurised into a quick jaunt around the block on ultra-smooth roads.

Make sure that the vehicle has enough power for its intended use; if you're a soccer mom you really do need that 1.6.

Ensure that the brakes have a solid, reassuring feel to their operation - and not while you're just sitting in the car on the showroom floor. Due to the complexity of modern braking systems, the pedal feels totally different when the engine is not running.

Drive briskly around a few sharp corners to evaluate the car's composure when abruptly changing direction over rough surfaces as well as how smoothly the transmission operates.

Check to see if the car will easily manoeuvre where you need to use and park it; take special note of whether it has enough ground clearance to get over the hump between your garage and the driveway - often a problem with performance cars.

Have someone walk slowly around the car while you sit in the drivers seat and check the blind spots. All cars have blind spots; how big are they on this model and does the car have blind spot monitors for assistance?

Listen for noise levels inside the vehicle - how much wind noise and tyre roar enters the cabin.

If you're buying a second-hand or used car, the first test-drive offers a chance to jot down the Vehicle Identification Number, or VIN, so you can run a vehicle history report. Than go back and take the car to a trusted mechanic for a second opinion.

SHORT LIST

"Once you've narrowed your search for new wheels down to two or three cars, drive your potential car candidates again, back to back on the same day," advised Janse van Rensburg. "That will make more confident in your final decision."

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