Test-driving a car is an important part of the car buying process, offering shoppers the chance to evaluate how a vehicle performs on the road. Unfortunately, many people don't appreciate the opportunity that test-driving a car presents.
Driving a short distance with the radio on won't reveal potential car problems. To fully evaluate a used car and potential car problems, a test drive should be more involved.
Test-driving a car begins before you get behind the wheel. Prepare a grading system for any used cars you test drive. Make a list of car features you want to evaluate and design a score sheet. Possible areas to evaluate include:
Rate each of these features immediately after test driving a car. If anything stands out about the car, make a note of it. Do this for several used cars and you'll have information for comparing their strengths and weaknesses side by side.
People often neglect to spend adequate time test-driving a car. Perhaps they feel uncomfortable driving a car they don't own, or they feel that they're somehow wasting the car dealer's time. In fact, some dealers exploit this feeling to limit the time that potential buyers spend test-driving a car.
Take your time during a test drive to detect any car problems. If possible, drive under the same conditions you normally do in order to see how the car will perform on a daily basis. For example, try driving the car on both the highway and city streets to get a sense of how it handles in different road conditions. Pay attention to how easy it is to maneuver in and out of parking spaces.
By all means turn on the radio to see if it works, but once you've done so, turn it off so that you can hear possible car problems. Listen for rattling, squealing or other signs of car problems. If the salesman is chatty, politely ask for a little quiet so you can better evaluate the vehicle.
Test the brakes and acceleration when test driving new cars. Does the car shift gears smoothly? Do you have the legroom you need? Does your seat vibrate as you drive? If possible, have a friend or family member sit in the passenger seat or back seat so they can give an opinion of the car from a passenger's viewpoint. If more than one person will be driving the car, allow each one to get a chance to test drive.
Perhaps most importantly, be objective. People who fall in love with a particular car are likely to overlook possible car problems during the test drive. While a used car's appearance is important, focus on the car's practical and functional features.