If you are in the process of buying a used car it is essential that you test drive the vehicle before you sign on the dotted line. Did you know that 50% of people who walk into a car dealership have no idea what kind of car they want to buy? For many, buying a new car or a used car is a huge financial commitment and it is crucial that you make the right decision that best suits you. This post highlights the importance of test driving your new car, something which many people tend to oversee when buying a new or used vehicle.

Whether you have been driving for the past 20 years or you may be looking to buy your first car. Learning to drive is a very significant moment in many people’s lives, it’s the first step to freedom and adulthood. The test drive is the most important component of the whole buying process when purchasing your new vehicle, and we want to give you some top tips to follow when test driving your new car.

Our team here at Motorserv have years’ worth of experience in the car industry and we want to give you some great tips to put you at an advantage when it comes to testing your new car. These rules require some flexibility depending on the vehicle you are test driving. All cars are manufactured differently, and you need to feel comfortable and safe driving your new car.

Listen to the car.

When test driving your car, this is your chance to pay full attention to the roar of the engine and how well the vehicle drives. We would strongly advise you drive without the radio on so you can hear how well the engine is running as you are driving along. You will want to hear the sound of a smooth motor, with no rattles or strange noises if the engine is not smooth, then there could be a concern, talk to our Team if you are unhappy for whatever reason. Take this opportunity to get a feel for the way the car drives, test the speed of your motor and give the car a good speed test when safe to do so. Similarly, drive slowly and listen out for any rattling or unsuspected noises if anything does occur, bring this up with one or our Sales team.

Take in all of the features of the car. 

It is understandable that every car drives in a completely different way and this is your opportunity to get a feel for the car to see if it suits you and the way you drive. If you find that the new car is an extremely different drive in comparison to what you’re used to, bear in mind that you will get used to the way the car drives. Important factors such as the biting point, the size of the car and the steering is entirely dependent on the make and model of the vehicle. We would suggest that you take into consideration how smooth the steering is, this is your chance to see if you feel comfortable driving the car. In addition to this, when steering you need to monitor whether the wheel makes a cracking noise once turned left or right. If so, you may need to talk to the dealership and get the CV joints replaced. The vehicle must drive in a straight line without veering off in a different direction. 

Test the brakes.

The brakes on your car are paramount, not only your own safety but the surrounding drivers on the road. You need to be sure to check that both the handbrake and the foot brakes are working efficiently, we would suggest that you check them thoroughly. From here you can measure how quickly your car comes to a halt whilst seeing how effective the breaks really are.

Talk to our team of experts, we can determine whether or not your car requires new brakes. If the car has been sitting on a forecourt for a while, then it’s likely the brakes will need an application or two to clear any surface rust and perform properly. You need to make sure the car brakes evenly and there is no pulling to the left or right. If you feel that the breaks aren’t working effectively, make sure that this is corrected and fixed before you purchase the car. 

Test the Water and Oil Levels. 

Both the water and oil are huge components in your engine to help keep all of the cogs moving, quite literally. It is highly important that you check the oil level, making sure that it is topped up and no excess substance has interfered with the oil. The oil in your engine is what helps everything run smoothly, it is imperative that this is regularly checked to ensure the engine continues to run smoothly. Further to this, you will need to frequently check the water levels, if this is insufficient and no water is flowing around the engine this could result in the engine overheating. Both of these elements are highly important and need to be monitored closely to ensure that the engine is working as well as it should.

Although at the time this job may seem tedious, you need to test absolutely everything! Pop the bonnet, check out the engine, take a look inside the boot, roll down the windows and check to see if they’re working. This is your chance to really explore the car and understand how well it truly functions. Do not feel under pressure, a good seller will give you as much time as you need to explore every element of the car. Ideally, you should test drive your car in cold conditions as you will get a true feel to the way the car drives. The warm weather tends to disguise any problems the vehicle has in comparison to the cold weather, always be sure to check out the engine as well as taking the car for a drive.

All the Cars for Sale at MotorServ UK have been vigorously checked in our very own state of the art workshop.  So you can be sure that our Cars are mechanically sound.  

You also need to ensure the garage that you purchase your new Car from has adequate facilities and resources to look after your Car post sale, and that the Car comes with an adequate Warranty.  Here at MotorServ UK we have you covered, with a nationwide Warranty, and also the option of our Gold service membership scheme, you can be sure we are here for you even after you drive your new Car away.

If you’re looking for a new car for sale in and around Birmingham. Come on down to our showroom and take a look at the latest used cars for sale in Solihull.