How To Test Drive A Car

How to Test Drive a New Car

Taking a new vehicle for a test drive is not the same as it is for a used vehicle, which is covered below. When you buy a new car, it will automatically be covered by a warranty from the manufacturer, so you do not need to worry as much about any mechanical or manufacturing  issues or defects costing you more money after you buy it. There are  also more choices available for any given model, as you can test drive vehicles with different trims and options and customize them  the way you want. You might even end  up test driving a few different variations of the same model.

Additionally , not every new vehicle will be available to test drive. For example, highly expensive luxury or performance models are rarely  available to test drive because of  their greater cost. There are some less expensive performance vehicles that have limited time slots for test drives due to the weather or the season. If this is the type of vehicle you’re looking for, plan ahead and contact the dealership to ensure the vehicle is available.

New Car Test Drive Tips

Too many choices can be daunting to think of all the different vehicles you have to test drive, but it can be easily simplified with some preparation. Here are some tips for test driving a new vehicle:

1. Do your research

Read reviews, try out build and price tools and learn as much as you can to filter out the vehicles you want down to a few choices that meet your criteria. This can save you a lot of time and help you avoid testing vehicles unnecessarily. Determine what your needs and wants are in a vehicle, so you will be more prepared going into any test drives. If you go on multiple test drives, pay attention to everything you love or hate about them and compare the results.

2. Bring a friend

If you are not the most car-savvy person, having a friend or family member come along can be a big help. Even if they aren’t a mechanic or a car person, at the very least they’re an extra set of eyes who might notice something you don’t and can tell you what it’s like to be a passenger in the vehicle. They can also point out potential issues you wouldn’t think about yourself, especially if you are relatively inexperienced in driving or buying a car.

3. Walkaround inspection

Once you’re all set to go on a test drive, make sure to do a visual inspection of the exterior and interior of the vehicle:

• Size — measure the vehicle to make sure it isn’t too big or too small compared to what you wanted or expected, so you know it will fit in your garage, etc.
• Interior Space — sit in the driver, front passenger, and back seats to see if there is enough legroom, consider the trunk space for items you will be transporting daily or on possible trips
• Buttons — play around with all the knobs and buttons to make sure the locations make sense and are intuitive to use

It’s surprising how effective this step can be at eliminating a vehicle from your list before you take it on a test drive! Even small issues can add up to be deal breakers in the end.

4. Start using the car (before actually driving it)

Using a car and testing it out doesn’t only  mean driving it. It’s important to check all the non-driving features before you start the test drive to see if you like the way everything works. Some examples:

• Storage space — take a look at the space in the trunk, the back seats, the glove compartment, etc. 
• Folding seats — try collapsing and raising the folding seats (if they have any) to see if they are easy and intuitive or not
• Seat adjustments — adjust the seat position to see if you can set it easily and comfortably
• Electronics — use the radio, GPS, Bluetooth, etc. to see if everything works the way you want 

If you haven’t had a vehicle with mirror adjustment buttons placed awkwardly, GPS that was complicated to set up, Bluetooth that would never stay connected or folding seats with a lever that was too difficult to reach, you might not realize how frustrating that would be until it’s too late. So it’s better to test out the vehicle thoroughly, you might discover something that would drive you crazy and choose a different vehicle that suits your needs and lifestyle instead.

5. Drive it like it’s everyday

Once you start driving, the most important thing is to drive it the way you would on any given day, so you really get to know if it feels right:

• Speed & Acceleration — take the vehicle on different types of roads including the highway, test whether it accelerates well enough and feels safe and sturdy at higher speeds
• Maneuverability — drive it in a parking lot or try doing a U-turn or three-point turn on a residential street to make sure it can turn easily and manoeuvre in tighter spaces
• Bumps & Comfort — make sure it feels safe and comfortable to drive on rougher terrain if possible, especially if you work in construction or do things like go on camping trips

You do not need to put it through unrealistic stress tests, not only because the dealer will not allow you to use it in an unsafe manner, but also because you just want to learn what it’s like to use the car normally.

6. Test out the features while driving

There are various features and options you would use while driving, so make sure to test them out on the go, such as the following:

• GPS & Radio — adjust the GPS or the radio on the go, make sure you can do it easily and safely and don’t have to fiddle with it for more than a moment
• Bluetooth — call someone or get  your passenger friend to call your phone to test the Bluetooth functionality
• Cruise Control — set and adjust your speed and test it out 
• Climate Control — adjust the temperature, the strength of the blower, etc.

Don’t just find out if they work, also test out how well they work and if they are within a convenient and comfortable reach.. If there is a certain feature you want to use a lot, but it is placed somewhere that would annoy you or takes too many steps to activate, it might make you less likely to buy it. Make sure to try everything in different situations—for example, if your car has a rear-camera for reverse parking, what happens if someone calls your phone while connected to Bluetooth? Does the incoming call cancel out the camera?

How to Test Drive a Used Car

Since there are many similarities between test driving a new and used vehicle, you can follow all the tips mentioned above. However, there are a few important differences — all used cars will have wear and tear and generally do not come with any warranty. Certified Pre-Owned vehicles do come with a warranty from the manufacturer, and some used car dealers will offer additional warranty protection as well. But if you are buying from a private seller, there will likely be no warranty coverage at all, unless it is new enough to still be under the manufacturer’s warranty.

This means you should use more caution and keep a critical eye out for certain things compared to buying a new car. Additionally, dealers might treat test drives differently depending on the situation and specific vehicle. For example, they may be more willing to allow test drives, longer test drives may become an option, etc. Again, we suggest calling the dealership in advance to make sure they have the specific vehicle available. However, if you are buying a vehicle from a private seller, the conditions of the test drive will be determined by that individual.

Do Your Due Diligence

The biggest fear for anyone buying a used car is that it has been in an accident. Almost 30% of vehicles on the road today have had some kind of accident, whether it’s a minor fender bender in a parking lot or a significant collision on the highway. A vehicle having accident history does not mean it is unsafe or unreliable to drive, but it is your right as a consumer to have a fully disclosed history of accidents and repairs done to a vehicle. This is why companies such as CarFax exist – they provide such reports for vehicles.

Most large dealerships will provide these reports and information about a vehicle up front, without even being asked. They will also usually disclose various mechanical issues the vehicle might have before you go on the test drive, and fix the issue before you buy it. Smaller dealerships, however, will often not provide or stipulate a vehicle’s history unless asked. This is actually illegal in Ontario so make sure the dealership provides you with a report for any used vehicle you test drive and are interested in buying. Similarly, a dealership should also disclose whether or not a used vehicle used to be a rental.

Here’s a checklist of things to look for when taking a used car for a test drive.

Used Car Test Drive Checklist

1. Do a thorough walkaround of the exterior

Keep a close eye out for the following:

• Panel Gaps — check for any dents or loose panels causing larger  than normal gaps
• Rust, Scratches & Chips — check around the body panels and on the inside of the doors, trunk, etc.
• Windshield & Windows — check all glass window panes for chips or cracks
• Tires — make sure they have acceptable tread and inflation in general, if some have greater wear and tear than others there could be a mechanical or alignment issue
• Exhaust Area — look for any dark, oily stains that could be a sign of excess smoke or  a sign of an issue with the exhaust
• Head & Tail Lights — check that all turn signals, high beams, low beams, brake lights work and aren’t cracked or broken
• Doors — check for any dents, bends in the door frame or issues with the door being opened or staying closed

You can also look for general defects or wear and tear. Some might be more aesthetic problems that do not affect how safe or how well the car drives. While others might be a sign of potential issues requiring repair that you should mention to the salesperson if they did not mention it to you ahead of time.

2. Give the interior an inspection

Once you’ve checked the outside of the vehicle, you should give a similar inspection to all the interior parts, such as:

• Seat Material & Trim — look for any wear and tear, loose stitching, stains, etc.
• Seat Adjustments — check that you can move the seats forward and back, up and down, fold them up and down to make sure they stay secured and don’t get stuck
• Electrical Features — examine  all the interior lights, electric windows, radio, centre console, electric locks, electric adjustable mirrors, etc. all work
• Climate Control — test out the air conditioning, heating and blowers in general, to make sure they work and don’t blow dirty, dusty air
• Trunk — make sure they can open and close, and have no rust below the felt material
• Seat Belts — check that they’re all present, can be pulled and retracted smoothly and stay safely secured
• Airbags — check if the panel cover has split, has uneven seals or different coloured paint over the seal as it is a sign the car has  been in an accident — you can also do a quick test by turning the key in the ignition to the first position when all the dashboard lights come on and if the airbag light stays on or  flashes there is likely an issue with the airbag system.

For the interior, you are generally just making sure that everything you would use actually works properly. Again, if anything doesn’t work, mention it to the salesperson.

3. Check the engine

This is something you should do before and after you go on the test drive. When you do, check things like the following:

• Engine Bay — inspect  the engine parts and the engine bay for any rust or stains that could be signs of leaks
• Fluid Levels —  pay attention to the fluid levels, the oil and coolant should  not dramatically drop after a short test drive
• Battery — look for any rust or debris on or around the terminals
• Underneath — check  for signs of rust or fluids dripping from a leak or if there is any oily fluid on the ground
• Exhaust — when the car is running, get out and see if the exhaust emits excessive blue or black smoke

Useful Tip: If you’re looking to test drive a used vehicle, check if it is warm by touching the hood. Ideally, you want to begin a test drive with a cold vehicle, so you can judge how well it starts and if it functions properly when it is cold.

4. Test the steering

Whenever you use the steering, pay attention to the feel and sound of  both the steering wheel itself and the whole vehicle: 

• Vibration — feel the steering wheel at various speeds to see if it shakes, rattles, grinds, screeches, etc.
• Resistance & Play — turn the steering wheel at various speeds and pay attention to the level of resistance or tightness, or if it is too loose and you have to turn the steering wheel a lot to get the car to turn at all
• Pulling — drive the vehicle in a straight line to see if it pulls to one side, try it when accelerating and maintaining speed

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of those questions, there could be a mechanical issue with the steering mechanics. Make sure the salesperson is aware of it, they may offer to fix it before you buy it.

5. Test the brakes

If you can, find somewhere that is isolated from other people and vehicles, such as a large and mostly empty parking lot or an isolated side road, and test out the brakes. Do it a few times at around the speed you would normally be driving and pay attention to the following:

• Effectiveness — check if the brakes fade, shudder or vibrate, and that it stops at a safe distance
• Brake Pedal — test the brake pedal to see if it feels loose where you have to push down on it a lot for the brakes to start working 
• Hand Brake — stop on a slope and see if the parking brake/hand brake/emergency brake works

The last thing you want to do is buy a used car only to find out that the brakes don’t work well enough when you need them to. So make sure you alert the salesperson about your concerns.

6. Test the suspension

If you can manage it, try taking the test drive to roads that are not the smoothest and see how the suspension holds up. Pay attention when you drive over any bumps, speed bumps or uneven road surfaces — does the suspension adequately absorb any of the impact? Or do you bounce around in your seat, and feel all the vibrations and shaking of the road.

• Bounces — when you go over bumps, does the suspension absorb it effectively?
• Vibrations — for smaller bumps or uneven surfaces, do you feel your seat or the vehicle shaking or vibrating all the time?
• Bigger Bumps — when going over larger bumps like speed bumps, does the vehicle absorb it adequately?

The last thing you want is to be driving a vehicle with extreme suspension issues, where you get bounced and jostled constantly. If the issue is problematic, make sure you tell the salesperson and don’t be afraid to ask for it to be fixed before you buy it.

7. Monitor the noise levels

Make sure you pay attention to how loud the inside of the car is when you drive it throughout your test drive. Driving a vehicle that does not cancel out any noises from outside can become a nuisance, especially on longer trips. This is relatively minor compared to other potential issues above, but you might find that it’s a deal breaker if it doesn’t block out enough sound.

8. Check for other issues

Lastly, there is an assortment of smaller things you can test out during your test drive:

• Trunk Releases — do either the front hood or trunk release properly or do they get stuck? Do they stay securely closed or does it open on its own sometimes?
• Gas Panel & Cap — do they get stuck or do they stay securely closed?
• Transmission — for manual or automatic, are there any issues with the gears shifting up or down?

You can also check and test out any other options or features that the vehicle has, such as a sunroof, GPS, Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control, heated seats, etc. to make sure they work properly.

Types of Test Drives

On a final note, when you find a vehicle that you really like and want to test drive, make sure to ask the dealership what kinds of test drives they allow. There are several types that can give you different experiences with the vehicle; the traditional test drive, the 24-hour test drive, the test drive from home and virtual test drives. Some dealerships will only have  the traditional type, but it is worth asking them what they will allow to make sure you get the best experience possible.

Traditional Test Drives

For most test drives, you go to the dealer and a salesperson guides you through a predefined route in the area around the dealership for 30 minutes or so — the exact time depends on the dealer. These routes usually try to avoid potentially hazardous situations for safety reasons, such as left-hand turns in busy intersections. This is so people who are unfamiliar with the handling of the vehicle have a safe and enjoyable experience on the test drive. However, if you still need more time or would like to include a certain type of driving to fully experience the vehicle as you planned, you can always ask the salesperson. It’s no guarantee it will be permitted, but dealers usually want to give customers more opportunity to familiarize themselves with the vehicle and potentially like it even more.

Virtual & Video Test Drive

If you have yet to take a vehicle for a test drive and are still narrowing down your list, try looking up virtual test drives or test drive videos. It’s a great alternative to experience a vehicle from the comfort of your home through your computer, tablet or smartphone.  Although virtual test drives give you a chance to see the car from the driver’s seat, you don’t get a good sense of how it would feel. It’s also not something that is available for every vehicle — some newer models might have this option. The good news is that it is becoming more common, so you can expect it as a   useful research tool to help choose between some vehicles before scheduling any test drives.

Test Drive from Home

If you have yet to take a vehicle for a test drive and are still narrowing down your list, try looking up virtual test drives or test drive videos. It’s a great alternative to experience a vehicle from the comfort of your home through your computer, tablet or smartphone.  Although virtual test drives give you a chance to see the car from the driver’s seat, you don’t get a good sense of how it would feel. It’s also not something that is available for every vehicle — some newer models might have this option. The good news is that it is becoming more common, so you can expect it as a   useful research tool to help choose between some vehicles before scheduling any test drives.

24-Hour Test Drive

A more extensive form of test driving is the 24-hour option, also called an overnight test drive or extended test drive. These are rare, but not unheard of, especially for new car dealers. They are also more likely granted for someone who has already had a traditional test drive and wants a more thorough experience with it. This is a good sign to the dealer that you are seriously considering buying that vehicle. Being closer to the dealership also increases your chances for the dealer to permit your request for a 24-hours test drive.

You might also be interested in these guides:

How to Buy a New Car in Ontario?
How to Buy a Used Car in Ontario?
Guide to Financing a Car in Ontario