1. Call ahead of your test drive

If you have a test drive scheduled, make sure to give the seller a call prior to your drive. One of the things we recommend you ask the seller is to make sure that the engine is cold before driving the car. Although this may not be ideal, some sellers may warm a car’s engine before the test drive in order to hide any start-up issues and any bad sounds it may be making. Any rattling or smoke will also show up more clearly when the engine’s cold (if there is an issue). 

Obviously this won’t be viable for every situation so there are some other things you can ask before your drive. You will want to ask for the vehicle’s owners manual and any documents that they have.

2. Bring some equipment

This tip might not be suited to everyone, but if you want to really test your potential car then there are a few pieces of equipment that you can take with you. Taking a tyre tread-depth gauge is a great piece of equipment to take. Not only is it a small piece of equipment, but it is also important to check depth to reduce the risk of accidents, especially in rainy conditions.

You can also bring anything that you would use on a normal drive for you. For example, if you listen to music in the car, it’s worth bringing your phone and testing if the bluetooth/aux works. As simple as it sounds, for some cars it may not work and might need repairing after you have bought the car.

3. Check under the hood

It is important to think of a test drive as your first drive in your new car (even if you haven’t bought it). That’s why you should check under the hood of your car before you drive. Checking fluids is an important part of this process. You should be looking for any leaks or signs of damage under the hood. 

You can ask the seller to start the engine whilst you have the hood open. You should try and listen out for any banging, clanking or ticking whilst the engine is running. Do note that direct-injection engines have a consistent ticking sound as part of their regular function. However any other unusual sounds could be signs of trouble and may require to be looked at by a technician before buying. 

4. Test the brakes

Another important part of the car to test is the brakes. When pressing the brakes, a healthy braking system will have a sharp response following it. If the brakes have a spongy feeling when pressing, it is likely that there is an issue with the brakes and will need to be looked at by a technician. It is also important to look at braking distances when driving. When on a long straight road clear of traffic, you can test the brakes and listen for any scraping or squeaking. You can also feel for any vibrations on the pedal. If you do hear or feel anything unusual then it could be a sign of damaged brakes and they may need replacing.

5. Test the steering

Another important part to test when driving is the car’s steering. With the car parked, you can try steering the car all the way from left to right quickly. Any popping or clunking sounds whilst doing this could indicate damage to the car’s front end or steering wheel. If the steering feels heavy or not as responsive, this could also be a sign of damage.

That was 5 tips to help make the most of your next test drive. If you want to speak to a profession and buy from a trusted seller, then make sure to take a look at all of our cars here at MotorServ UK.