[kick] the tires

to closely examine or assess the condition of something, particularly a vehicle or machinery

The idiom "kick the tires" has its origins in the practice of physically inspecting a vehicle, often by kicking its tires, to assess its condition before making a purchase. it is used to describe a basic evaluation or a preliminary assessment of something, typically before making a decision or commitment.

The boss always assigns difficult projects as a way of kicking the tires of new employees.
The Boston front office has been monitoring the Leonard situation from afar and almost always kicks the tires when a premier talent hits the trade market.
Before buying a used car, it's a good idea to kick the tires and have a mechanic inspect it for hidden issues.
The manager decided to kick the tires on the new project proposal to see if it was worth further consideration.
When evaluating potential job candidates, HR often conducts initial interviews to kick the tires and narrow down the selection.