Ask for a route with three parts: town with stops, an open road above 80 and a stretch with potholes. Each part shows what the others hide.
- Radio off. The noises are the information.
- In town: does it shift cleanly? The clutch should bite in the middle of the pedal travel, not at the top.
- At speed: the wheel must stay calm. Shaking under braking means discs.
- Over potholes: a single clunk is suspension; many noises are expensive work.
- Brake hard on an empty road: the car must stay straight.
- At walking pace turn the wheel fully both ways — clicking means joints.
If the seller will not let you drive, do not buy. Full stop. Insurance is the usual excuse, but an undriven car is a blind purchase.