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BuyingBuyingUpdated Sep 11, 2026
Viewing and test drive checklist
Bring
- Your driver's licence and a valid ID
- A torch, a rag and this checklist
- A friend
Cold start
Ask the seller not to warm the engine before you arrive. Watch the exhaust smoke: blue is oil, white is coolant, black is fuel.
Walk around
- Panel gaps even, paint the same shade on every panel
- Tyres worn evenly, same brand front and rear
- Under the carpet and in the boot: rust, silt or a damp smell can mean flood
- Aircon cold within a minute
Drive
- Brakes stop straight without pulling
- Steering has no play, no clunks over bumps
- Automatic shifts without jerks; manual clutch bites in the middle
If you are not confident, request an inspection by an independent DriveHaus mechanic, or ask the seller whether they will.
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