In August, air conditioning is something you'll notice on your very first drive – yet it's often overlooked when buying a used car. We'll show you how to test it quickly and reliably.
Hot summer days have a way of exposing what usually goes unnoticed during everyday driving – how well the air conditioning actually works. While you'll have the engine or suspension checked by a specialist, the air conditioning often just gets switched on and, as long as cold air comes out, that's considered good enough. But on a used car, this is a component where repairs can easily run into thousands of crowns.
A quick test anyone can do
Start the car, let it run for a few minutes, and switch the air conditioning to maximum cooling. The air should noticeably start cooling within a minute, not only after ten kilometres of driving. Also check whether it blows equally strongly from all vents and whether the airflow speed can be adjusted smoothly.
Listen and sniff
A running air conditioning compressor shouldn't make any creaking, grinding or knocking noises. An unpleasant smell from the vents often points to a mouldy evaporator or a poorly replaced cabin filter – both are fixable, but it's good to know about them beforehand and factor them into the price.
What the service history can tell you
Air conditioning needs regular maintenance – ideally a refrigerant refill once every two years. If the seller has a service book or invoices, check when the air conditioning was last serviced. On cars that go through our preparation before sale, we carry out this check automatically as standard.
What to do if the air conditioning isn't working perfectly
Weak cooling doesn't necessarily mean a serious fault – often it just needs a refrigerant top-up or a clean of the evaporator. The real problem arises when the compressor or condenser is leaking, where repairs can run into several thousand crowns. That's exactly why it's worth having the air conditioning checked before you buy, not afterwards.
What to look at in our current stock
Among the cars we currently have in stock, you'll find a Škoda Octavia 2.0TDI Ambition from 2022 or a Volkswagen Golf 2.0TDI Life from the same year – both have been through our standard preparation, including an air conditioning check. Before buying, you're welcome to take any car for a relaxed test drive right here with us in Olomouc.
Air conditioning as part of our overall service
Here at ZdeKupAuto.cz, we check the air conditioning on every car before it ever goes on offer – just as we check its history through Cebia and provide a seven-day right of return. The goal is for you to enjoy driving your car after buying it, not deal with unexpected repairs.
