How important is it that you take a vehicle on a test drive? Here are some important things to look for and think about while test driving any vehicle.
Why should you take a test drive? This is your opportunity to evaluate the vehicle and understand whether or not it has the features you want. It’s also how you learn about your fit in the ride or if it’s the right choice for you. With new vehicles, you might not need to be as picky or as strict, but when you’re testing a used vehicle, you’ll want to give it a thorough evaluation.
What should you look for before you drive?
Before you ever set out from the dealership on your test ride, you should evaluate the vehicle while sitting still. This gives you a chance to focus on the build and the look while unincumbered by the task of driving.
Exterior Evaluation
Walk around the car and check out these items:
- General appearance
- Door openings
- Engine bay
- Cargo area
Interior Evaluation
Once seated in the driver’s seat, check out the following:
- Front seats
- Rear seats
- Storage areas
- Connectivity
- Infotainment and climate controls
- Craftsmanship
- Interior lighting
What should you look for during the test drive?
Make a checklist of a few items to think about and evaluate during your test drive. Here are a few items to think about and evaluate while test driving a vehicle.
Visibility
Can you see everything you want to from the driver’s seat? This is one of the most important aspects of driving. The more you can see, the easier it is to drive safely. Does the rearview mirror offer an unobstructed view of the lane behind you? Are the side mirrors clear? How big is your blind spot area? What are the safety features in the car, for example, rearview camera, surround-view camera, blind-spot monitoring, and lane departure features?
Noise
Don’t take your test drive with the audio system on. You should be able to hear the engine and everything around you. Start with all of the windows closed and listen to the noise level inside the cabin. Take a long enough test drive that you idle, accelerate, and set the cruise control system. Take the vehicle on the highway and listen to the noise that enters the cabin. These noises can become problematic when driving, which can cause you more stress while driving on longer trips.
Powertrain
Push the vehicle hard during your test drive. The dealership salesperson might not appreciate that, but that’s their problem. You want to hear how well the powertrain responds to hard acceleration, hard braking, and how well it shifts through the gears when accelerating. This is an important part of test driving a vehicle. I you hear anything that doesn’t sound right, you should probably avoid buying that model.
Brakes
How do the brakes feel? Are they smooth or grabby, and how far do you need to press the brake pedal before the brakes engage? Do you hear a squealing or grinding noise coming from the brakes? If you hear these noises, you should take the vehicle back to the dealership and shop somewhere else. If a car dealership doesn’t put you in a car that has good brakes, you probably shouldn’t continue to work with them.
Handling
How does the car feel on the road? Every model handles differently, and this is a big part of your driving experience. Does the car turn well from a stop? Is the steering tight enough or loose enough for you? An overly responsive steering system is good for parking lots but can be problematic on the highway. Does the car maintain a straight line when you take your hands off the wheel for a couple of seconds? Pay attention to how well the steering system works and how the vehicle handles when you drive.
Ride Quality
While your test driving, you need to evaluate the ride quality and give it the highest level of importance. This is the feeling you get from behind the wheel. If the vehicle doesn’t feel natural to drive, and isn’t comfortable, you probably should look for something else. The suspension should offer a good ride and soak up most of the road issues you find. Take the vehicle over a set of railroad tracks and evaluate how well the suspension absorbs these bumps.
Use these tips and factors when test driving what could be your next vehicle. This is the most important part of your car buying experience, and is generally the only time you can evaluate a vehicle before buying it.
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