On the Road 2

• Listen for rattling or any other body noises - driving over speed humps is a good check for this
• Watch the exhaust for smoke - accelerating uphill is a good check for this
• On a straight road, ease your grip on the steering wheel and see if the car pulls to one side, which can indicate worn suspension or misaligned steering
• Also on a straight road and after checking for traffic behind you, try the brakes several times. The car shouldn't pull to one side, and the brake pedal should feel firm
  

On the Road 1

• Take the car for test drive, preferably on quite roads where you can concentrate on the car rather that the heavy traffic. make sure car's adequately insured before you do, and take your time; one spin around the block is hardly enough to get a good picture of the car
• Make sure the engine runs smoothly in all situations...when cruising, accelerating and decelerating both on flat roads and uphill
• All gears should change smoothly up and down
• Watch the dashboard for any warning lights, and keep an eye on the temperature gauge

to be continued........