1. Examine the tires individually. Does each have at least a quarter of an inch of tread? Is the wear even? Are the tires matched in size and brand?
2. If the vehicle has wheels with spokes, look through the openings on the front wheels to check the disc brake rotors. Are they scored?
3. Look under the car for fluid leaks. Do this with the engine off and again with it running.
4. Squat at the front corners of the car and look down along its sides for ripples that might indicate body repairs.
5. Open and close all the doors and the trunk. Make sure all operate smoothly.
6. Lock and unlock all the doors from inside and out.
7. Ask the salesman or owner to sit behind the wheel and operate the headlights, brake lights and turn signals as you verify that they work.
8. Open the hood with the engine running and listen for knocks, ticks or hisses.
9. Check door edges and hinges for rust.
10. Lift up the pad or carpet in the trunk and check for rust.
11. Slide behind the steering wheel and make sure the controls for every system operate properly. Does the air conditioner cool, does the heater heat, does the CD player work?
12. If there is an air freshener hanging from the rearview mirror or the interior smells as though it was just sprayed with air freshener, open the doors for a few minutes and let it air out. By the time your test-drive is completed, the air freshener smell should be gone and you can get a better idea of the odors you will have to live with.
There are many things you should check while you are taking a test drive:
1. How is the visibility? Check the rear view mirror and the side mirrors and look for potential blind spots.
2. Acceleration and passing acceleration: Does the car downshift quickly and smoothly?
3. Engine and road noise: How does the car sound when you strongly accelerate? Is there a lot of noise from the tires?
4. Hill-climbing power: Does the vehicle downshift quickly?
5. Braking: How is the pedal feel? Do the brakes "grab" suddenly?
6. Steering and handling: Is the vehicle responsive? Can you feel the road through the steering wheel?
7. Suspension: Is it stiff or soft? Does the vehicle ride comfortably on a rough road?
8. Seat comfort and ergonomics: Are the seats adjustable? Can you reach all the controls easily?
Add (to these very thorough inspection lists above):
Windshield wipers and squirter operation
Muffler and tailpipe condition
Steering: at slow speed and in a wide-open area, quickly steer all the way left and right. Listen for problems with power steering, bearings in the wheels and drive shafts. Then steer quickly to one side and the other (but not all the way) and listen for problems with steering linkage (clunks, rattles, too much slack).
Brakes: Does the car brake straight and evenly, not swerving, when braking hard. Does ABS act properly when approaching the point of skidding? You will feel the ABS engage if you brake hard enough from higher speeds (above about 30 MPH). Does the car track evenly and handle properly braking-while-turning?
Shock absorbers: Attempt to "bounce" from each corner of the car. If you can push the corner down, and it recoils right back up, and you can quickly push it down again and again like a basketball, the shock absorbers need to be replaced. Shock absorbers give a smooth ride, but also provide safe braking and turning.
You need a mechanic to check the vehicle out for you. If you don't know what to look for you don't stand a chance in feeling how the car performs, how it rides as far as suspension problems, or what you're looking at on the motor.
first of all i think you need to check the oil level and then the other main parts if it's working in correct order or not and then you could go for a test drive.
