Picture this: you are sitting in a car dealership just about to test drive a vehicle but have that dawning thought of not knowing what to look (or listen) for on your test drive. Not a problem! We are here with this handy guide to lead you in the right direction when it comes to test driving a car.
Jump to:
1. Prioritise Your Checklist
2. Call Ahead
3. Bring A Friend
4. Under The Bonnet
5. Pre-Test Drive
6. Driving Coverage
7. Brakes Test
8. Inspecting Tyres
9. Steering
10. Ask Questions
Prioritise Your Checklist
Everyone is different, which means everyone wants something different from a car. Certain people will be looking for speed, while others may be looking for style. Is comfort the most important thing for you, or are the features inside the car? Whichever your preferences are, take note of them. You can then match the vehicle up against your very own checklist. While completing your list, it would also be a great time to think about what route you want to take for the drive (you’ll see why in the Driving Coverage section of this guide).
Call Ahead
When you’re planning to test drive a vehicle, it’s best to give the seller a call to arrange a time - calling ahead will ensure the car is ready for you. You can request for them to leave the engine stone cold so that when you arrive, you can then carry out all necessary pre-checks.
Bring A Friend
When you test drive a car, it can be a daunting experience, especially on your own. One thing we would recommend, bring a friend! Not only will they be able to give you a different perspective to think about, but they can also tell you what the drive feels like from the passenger side of the vehicle. A fresh pair of eyes and ears are very beneficial!
Under The Bonnet
First things first, pop the bonnet and look inside. As you would with your car, start checking the fluid and oil levels. Keep an eye out for leaks or physical damage - a mechanic would be the best person to inspect the inside of the bonnet fully - (bonus points if you’re friends with a technician!)
Pre-Test Drive
Before you set off, make sure all loose possessions in the car are not able to move, as this could distract you from any unwanted noises you need to hear. Look at the infotainment system – check all connectivity features that you would use, like Bluetooth, are working.
Driving Coverage
Thinking back to the route you chose earlier; you should ensure the route will include different types of driving. The roads you should cover could include motorway, city, country, bumpy, uphill, downhill, fast, and slow. You must test the car on different surfaces and speeds to see how the vehicle drives against them. If you were to test on just one type of road, you would not get to see if the car has any weaknesses on any of the roads.
Brakes Test
It goes without saying, you need the brakes to be in full working order. When checking the brakes, be sure to listen out for any noises they make when you’re braking. Adjust the pressure on the pedals when using them and be sure to feel for any soft feelings. Make sure you use the brakes slowly and quickly to get an all-round feel from them.
Inspecting Tyres
Walk around the vehicle and focus on the tyres. Look to see if there are any signs of physical damage, including scrapes and scratches. Are there any tears or rips in the tyre? Next, use a 20p coin (or a tyre tread depth gauge if you have one) to check the tread is at least 1.6mm. Another thing to check is the tyre pressure - is it going down quickly? If so, there may be damage to the tyre. These are all things you should be looking out for.
Steering
One way to check the steering is, while parked, to turn the steering wheel full lock to the left and then to the right at a quick speed and listen for any popping or sharp noises. If the steering is heavy or not responsive, this may also be a sign of damage.
Ask Questions
At Richmond Motor Group, we know choosing the perfect car to suit your lifestyle isn’t easy – therefore, our team is on hand to make your test drive as seamless as possible. If you have any questions throughout your time in the showroom, please feel free to approach one of our friendly Sales team, who will be more than happy to help.