How to test drive a car

The only way to make sure you’re happy with a car before you buy it is to take it for a test drive. Although a test drive can’t guarantee complete satisfaction, it can help you work out whether your chosen vehicle is the right fit for all your needs.

But in order to make an informed decision, you need to make the most of your test drive. So, whether you’re looking to buy with car finance or using your own cash, our team of car buying experts will give you some useful pointers on how to test drive a car.

9 top tips for a successful test drive

If you want to make sure a new or used car is the right one for you, these test drive tips will help you make the most of the limited time you have behind the wheel.

1. Test drive the right car

If you’re buying a brand new car, then the car you take for a test drive might not be the actual one you buy. If this is the case, it’s important to make sure the car you take for a spin is the exact same model and specification as the one you’re looking to buy. The trim and engine size might not seem like a big deal, but they can both make a big difference to the driving experience.

If you can’t get hold of a model with the same specification, at least try to drive one with the same engine and gearbox as these will really impact how the car performs.

2. Do your homework

If you’re buying a used car, it makes sense to do a bit of research before you head to the forecourt. So, when you’ve found a car you like the look of, go online and see what other drivers are saying about that specific make and model.

Although no two cars are ever the same once they’ve been driven - the driving style and routine of the previous owners will all have an impact on its current condition - there are nuances with each model that only really come to light once a car has been in production and on the road for a while.

Adam, from the Zuto sales team, has this bit of advice: “Looking through online forums will help you see if there is a common issue that current owners keep finding and generally what people like or dislike about the car. This way, you can go on the test drive and make sure you pay specific attention to this.

He adds: “It’s also worth researching the full spec of the model you’re going to look at so you have a full idea of what to test. Print this off and take it with you on the test drive.”

3. Take the right documents

If you’re wondering what do you need to test drive a car, then this can differ according to the showroom you’re buying from. To be on the safe side, you should make sure you have the following to hand whether you’re buying a car privately or from a dealer:

• Driving licence
• Proof of insurance
• Proof of address (this could be a bank or utility bill)

4. Check that car fits you and your lifestyle

It doesn’t matter whether you’re looking to spend your life’s savings on a sports car or you’re a student looking for a second hand bargain, it’s important to choose a car that fits both you and your lifestyle.

Even if you’ve chosen a model that offers everything you need, you won’t get a feel for whether the car really fits until you sit in it. So, before you take it on a test drive, just sit in the driver’s seat and adjust all positions, mirrors, and settings to ones that suit. If you’ll be ferrying the kids around, get them to sit in the back to see how they fit.

Martin, another of the Zuto sales team, says: “Making sure you can sit in a comfortable position is important. If you have large feet there has to be enough space to put your left foot down without catching the clutch pedal - I’ve tried a few cars where this was a problem!”

Louise from Zuto’s people team adds: “If you are a little challenged on the height front like me, it’s important to check you can get the seat far enough forward so as to reach the pedals – trust me not all cars are made for little people!”

5. Make sure it’s all good under the hood

Whether you’re buying used or brand new, it’s important to get under the bonnet to see how things run. And even if you’re not mechanically-minded, you can look out for the following issues:

• Fluid levels - Check the level indicators are all full on the following:
• Coolant - If this is empty it could be because of a cracked reservoir or even a sign that the head gasket is on its way out. This can be a very expensive repair
• Power steering - Low-levels of power steering fluid could indicate a cracked reservoir and lead to steering issues
• Brake fluid - Low-levels of brake fluid could indicate a cracked reservoir and lead to braking issues
• Oil - To check the oil level, pull out the dipstick. The oil should be brown and clear, and showing as full on the dipstick. If the oil is jet black, it probaly needs to be changed. If it’s milky, this could be because it not been changed in a while and full of condensation or another sign that the head gasket has gone. If the oil levels are low, this could be a cracked sump plug or a sign of other engine issues.

Tom, from the Zuto tech team, also has some experience in this area: “Open the bonnet before you start the engine and then again once the engine is running. Before starting the engine, open the oil cap. Any slight creamy or white residue suggests the car overheats and this means the vehicle has had, (or will soon have), head gasket problems which are critical to the running of your car.

He adds: “Then Let the engine run and open the bonnet and listen to it. It should be smooth and not bouncing around.”

6. Check for other potential issues

You might think you look like a ‘tyre-kicker’, but it’s worth doing a few spot checks before you hit the road.

Engine - As well as the fluid check, look out for any black smoke coming from the exhaust when you start it and when you’re driving. This can suggest a broken air filter or fuel injector. The engine should be quiet and run smoothly.

Suspension - Gently bounce the car over each wheel arch. If it bounces more than once, it could indicate the shock absorbers are on their way out. And listen out for unusual rattles or clunks from the suspension as you’re driving.

Steering - Steering should be responsive and the wheels should turn without signs of ‘play’ (this is when the steering wheel moves but the wheels don’t). Momentarily take your hands off the wheel while you’re driving slowly to see if the car pulls to the left or right.

Tyres and brakes - Check for signs of wear on the tyre walls and tread. Use a £2 for a quick tread test - if the tread covers the gold rim of the coin, they’re legal. If not, ask for new ones. Brakes should be responsive with not much play in the peddle and should stop the car in a straight line.

Clutch and gears - The clutch should be tight and responsive (this will vary depending upon the make, model, and age of the car) and it should start to ‘bite’ well before it’s all the way back up. If not, the clutch could be worn and need replacing. And makes sure you can easily change gears without any crunching sounds.

Anthony, from Zuto partner support says: “Bounce each corner of the car over the wheel. If the car bounces more than once on a wheel the shocks are probably dead and you’ll be in for an uncomfortable ride. It’s then your choice to get this fixed before you agree to purchase or get the money off the vehicle to fix it when finally in your ownership.”

7. Ask the salesperson for some quiet

Making a decision can be difficult if you’ve a salesperson breathing down your neck, so ask them for a little time alone with the car. Ideally, you should take the car on a test drive without a showroom rep, but this isn’t always possible. If you’re buying a car privately, it’s understandably unlikely that they’ll let you take it for a test drive alone.

In any case, ask for some quiet on the test drive so you can listen to the noises the car makes as you move it through the gears, as Tom in the Zuto tech team points out: “The chatty conversation will stop you listening out for any weird noises or rattles from the suspension for example, and stop you concentrating on how the drive feels.”

8. Choose your route wisely

When you take a car for a test drive, you’ll probably have about 20 minutes to put it through its paces. Make sure you choose your route according to how you’ll be driving. If, for instance, you’ll be doing a lot of motorway miles, make sure a motorway forms part of your route.

Laura from the Zuto marketing team has experience of this: “You need to see how the car performs and sounds on the roads you’ll be travelling on regularly. Take it around town or on the dual carriageway or motorway, if this is where you’ll be driving most days.”

It can also be useful to see how a car handles on poor surfaces. As Martin in sales explains: “I’ll usually ride a pothole or sub-standard bit of road just to see how the car feels – you’re not always going to be able to avoid them when the vehicle is yours!”

9. Drive it from cold

If the seller suggests that you stay in the showroom while they drive it around to you, politely tell them you’d sooner start the car up from cold. Although they may have warmed it up before you get there, it’s important to try and make sure you start the car from cold so you can look out for any problems with the battery or starter motor.

Josh from the Zuto partnerships team has the following advice: “You need to see how the car is going to start up when it has been sat in your garage or drive. If you’re buying a used car, start the engine, let it idle for a couple of minutes and see how well it starts. Then press the clutch in and out. You should hear no change at all in engine sound. If you do, then avoid.”

Have you arranged your car finance?

If you’re ready to buy, you may need to take car finance to fund the purchase. If so, don’t just take the dealership’s offer, talk to the finance team at Zuto first.

We offer a range of finance options, including PCP, hire purchase, and car finance for bad credit. We can also arrange self-employed car finance and car finance if you’re unemployed, or on benefits.
Use our car finance calculator to get an idea of how much you could borrow before you go car hunting, then get in touch with the team at Zuto on 01625 619 944.