What should I check on a used car test drive?

Always take one, and make it long enough to be useful — fifteen to twenty minutes covering different road types tells you far more than a lap of the block. Ideally drive the car from cold, because several faults only show themselves on a cold start.

Before you set off:

• Check every warning light illuminates and then clears when the engine starts. A bulb that never lights may have been removed.
• Look underneath for fresh fluid on the ground, and check tyre tread and that all four tyres match.
• Test the air conditioning on both hot and cold, and the electric windows, mirrors and infotainment.

On the move, pay attention to:

• Steering — the car should track straight with the wheel centred, without pulling or vibration.
• Brakes — firm pedal, straight stop, no juddering through the pedal or wheel.
• Gearbox — smooth changes in both directions. On an automatic, hesitation or a jolt between gears is worth investigating.
• Clutch on a manual — a biting point very high in the pedal travel can mean wear.
• Noises — turn the radio off. Listen for knocking over bumps, whining that changes with speed, and rumbling that changes when cornering.

Also drive at motorway speed if you can. Vibration, wind noise and brake judder often only appear above 50mph and are easy to miss on a short local route.

Finally, sit in it properly. Adjust the seat as you would daily, check your visibility and that the boot takes what you need it to. Plenty of cars drive well and simply do not fit their owner's life.