Question

the car sputtered and coughed before starting
what is it is it a similie or a metophor or a personification

Answer 1

Answer:

The car impersonates itself as a human. It was not used and taken for a drive for long time. Hence when it was started it started to cough and sputter and try to act as an old man.

Answer 2

Answer:

It is personification.

Reason 1 - A comparison is not taking place here.

Reason 2 - The car is said to be sputtering and coughing which is something a human being or person can do, not a non-living thing such as a car.