The best way to assess a car you're thinking of buying is to take a test drive or to get a mechanical inspection.

Test drive tips

• Spend at least 30 minutes test driving each car you’re thinking about buying
• Take a friend with you - extra eyes, ears, and hands will come in handy
• Choose a safe test-drive route that includes stop-and-go driving, rough roads, winding curves and highways (100km speed limit).

Test driving a used car
Extra tips for test driving a used car:

• Inspect the safety features first
• Test drive during the day – it’s easy to miss problems when it’s dark
• Don’t test drive in the rain – rain masks bad paintwork that may be covering up evidence of a crash
• Check the tyres for correct inflation; cracks; exposed belts and bald spots.

Brakes:

• A vibration in the brake pedal when lightly applying the brakes could mean that you’ll need new brake pads.

Steering:

• Check that the steering wheel is straight and doesn't vibrate at high speeds.
• If the car pulls to one side on a straight road or when you use the brakes, the car may need a front-end alignment and/or new brake calipers.
  
  
  

Suggested test drive
The more cars you test drive, the easier your final selection will be. Ideally, put the car through a driving test on a sparsely travelled road. Always stay within the speed limit and make sure that it is always safe for yourself and other road users when you do any of these tests:

• Start out slowly to see how the transmission shifts up under normal driving. 
• Listen for clunks when turning the wheel. Clunking can indicate suspension problems. 
• Listen for noises in the car's drive train or transmission when accelerating. A modern automatic should shift smoothly and quietly under all conditions. 
• Tap firmly on the accelerator at a modest speed, listening for clunks or thuds that indicate worn bushings or a loose or faulty driveline.
• Listen for excessive noise when the windows/ are both open and closed. 
• Accelerate with the air conditioner on and off to see if the power drain is acceptable.

After the on-road test, leave the motor running and carefully (with a rag or work gloves) remove the oil filler cap. If white smoke comes out of the hole the car may have a serious engine problem. Look at the underside of the filler cap. Any water, rust or sludge on it indicates a leaky head gasket, a cracked head, or a cracked engine block. Repairing these problems is very expensive.

Keep a notebook on hand to write your thoughts and list the safety features. This will make it easier to remember all the details when you make a final comparison.

Mechanical inspection
If you don’t feel confident doing your own inspection, ask an experienced friend or a qualified mechanic to do it. Getting a safer car in good working condition is well worth the cost. Organisations such as RACV and VACC offer comprehensive mechanical inspection.