
The test drive is a critical step in the car buying process, your hands-on opportunity to assess your potential new ride beyond just its appearance and the spec’ sheet. Today, let’s cover what to look, listen, feel, and yes, smell for during your initial drive, so you can make your purchase with more confidence.
Before Even Starting the Engine
Exterior Walkaround: Let’s start with a thorough inspection of the car's exterior. Of course you’ll want to look for dents, scratches, mismatched paint, or rust, paying close attention to common trouble spots like wheel wells, rocker panels, and around the windows. Keep an eye on body panel alignment, as this could be a clue for a past fender bender repair job. Also examine the tires for adequate tread depth and especially any signs of uneven wear, as this is indicative of deeper issues. Finally, be sure to check that all exterior lights (headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals) are functioning properly before hitting the road.
Interior Inspection: Open and close the doors, hood, and trunk, noting the smoothness of their operation. Inside the cabin, carefully inspect the upholstery, carpets, and dashboard for excessive wear, tears, stains, or damage. Be sure to check under floor mats and if there’s a trunk, make sure it isn’t showing signs of water damage. Now’s also the time to test the operation of all windows and door locks too.
Time to Hit the Road!
- Starting the Motor: Listen attentively to how the engine starts, it should turn over promptly and smoothly without any prolonged cranking or unusual noises.
- Engine Performance: As you accelerate, observe the engine's responsiveness - does it feel smooth and powerful enough for your needs, or does it seem sluggish? Be on alert for hesitations, unusual vibrations, or knocking noise at various speeds and during acceleration. If possible, test it on both level roads and inclines, as well as highway speeds (on a highway, of course).
- Transmission: For vehicles with automatic transmissions, ensure the smoothness and timing of gear changes, noting any jerky shifts or delays. For manuals, ensure the clutch engages smoothly and not too high in the pedal release, as well as tight shifting through all gears.
- Braking: In a safe, unobstructed area, give the brakes a good check; they should feel firm and responsive, not spongy. You should be able to stop in a straight line without feeling pull to either side. Naturally, listen for any unusual noises like squealing, grinding, or clicking when applying the brakes.
- Steering and Handling: Evaluate how the car handles on turns and straightaways, the steering should feel neither too loose nor too tight, and the car should track straight without constant correction. Note any wandering or pulling to one side, and be sensitive to any unusual noises or vibrations coming through the steering wheel.
- Suspension: If possible, find some speed bumps or uneven road surfaces (within reason) to assess the suspension's performance. Listen for clunks, rattles, and feel for excessive bouncing. Bottom line: the ride should feel reasonably controlled and comfortable.
- Comfort and Interior Features: Pay attention to your driving position and overall comfort. Is there adequate headroom and legroom? Are the seats supportive? Test all the car's features:
-
Air Conditioning and Heating: Ensure both the AC blows cold air and the heater produces warm air efficiently. Check all fan speed settings.
-
Radio and Sound System: Turn on the radio and test the speakers for clarity and sound quality. Try any other audio inputs like USB or Bluetooth.
-
Other Features: If applicable, test features like power mirrors, windshield wipers (including different speeds and washer fluid), power seats, and any infotainment system functions.
- Visibility and Blind Spots: Assess your visibility from the driver's seat. Are there any significant blind spots? How easy is it to see out of all the windows and mirrors? Modern vehicles have higher waistlines and bulkier pillars for safety that are often offset by sensors and cameras, but you want to make sure you’re a comfortable pilot in this new-to-you vehicle. And speaking of safety features…
Testing Safety Features
While you can't always fully test every safety feature in a controlled environment during your test drive, here are some things you CAN observe and check:
- Seat Belts: Ensure all seat belts latch and unlatch properly. Give them a firm tug to check if the retractors are working.
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) Indicator Light: When you first turn on the ignition, the ABS warning light should illuminate briefly and then turn off. If it stays on, it indicates a potential issue. While you likely won't want to intentionally trigger ABS on a public road during a test drive, knowing the light's behavior is important.
- Airbag Indicator Light: Similar to the ABS light, the airbag warning light should illuminate briefly upon starting and then turn off. A persistent light could indicate a problem with the airbag system.
- Child Safety Locks and Window Lockout: Unless you plan to have a “no children allowed” policy for your prospective vehicle, then check the operation of the child safety locks on the rear doors and the window lockout switch.
The Final Review
- Smell Test: Once the car is parked after you’ve warmed it up during your drive, take a moment to notice any unusual odors inside the vehicle, such as mildew, smoke, or burning fluids of any kind. A keen sniffer could catch out an underlying problem that your eyes may have missed.
- Post-Drive Inspection: Take another quick walk around the car to see if anything seems different after the drive. Take a peek underneath to make sure no leaks cropped up after putting it through the paces.
Your Questions are Key!
Remember, the test drive is your opportunity to be inquisitive, so don't hesitate to ask the seller/dealer any questions you have about the car's history, maintenance records, or any concerns that arose during your evaluation. By diligently checking these aspects during your test drive, you'll significantly increase your chances of selecting a reliable used car that meets your needs and provides peace of mind during the purchase. Best of luck on the hunt for your next vehicle!