Taking a test drive

The test drive is closer to the end point than the beginning

When you're buying your first car, the test drive is closer to the end point than the beginning. Before you ask for the keys, you should already know from your research that the car you're about to drive is one of a shortlist which, in theory at least, is pretty close to what you want. 

NRMA's test drive tips (PDF 106KB/1 page)

Sales people have finely tuned radar. The good ones can pick a serious buyer from a time waster in ten seconds.

If they know you're fair dinkum - they'll get the drift if you tell them straight away the make and model you're looking for - they'll usually let you take a test drive.

If you wander in to a showroom with no obvious intention to buy, you're a "tyre kicker," and you'll have a tougher time getting the keys, especially if you're young, male and wanting to drive a hotrod that you obviously can't afford. Before you take a test drive, ask the salesperson about the legalities.

Obviously, if you break the law while driving the car, it's your problem, but you need to find out who is responsible for damage to the car, or any third parties involved, should the test drive end in disaster.

Some dealers will have full insurance coverage, others will ask you to pay part of any claim arising from a crash. It's up to you to accept, or reject the offer of a test drive based on your knowledge of potential liability. Some salespeople will want to come with you on the test drive, especially if it's a new car. They want to make reassuring noises as you fall in love with it.

If you insist on driving alone, they may refuse to let you take the car, though if you have an older person with you - your parents or a friend - they may be more agreeable. It's obviously preferable to leave the salesperson behind, so you can concentrate on your own priorities.

The test drive in a new and used car is, obviously, a different exercise, though there are some important common elements. It's where you decide if the car is right for you. Driving is a sensory thing; the same car will produce different emotional responses in different people. You'll have a relationship with your car. Like the human kind, you want it to be one of pleasure rather than aggravation.

You have to feel comfortable in it, be able to drive it easily, especially in traffic, and not be intimidated by its size or performance. Can you adjust the seat and steering wheel so that you feel completely relaxed? You must be able to do the basics - sit properly, reach the wheel and pedals easily and see clearly through all windows - to drive the car safely. Buy a car in which you can't do this and you'll soon hate it.

Does the car go, stop, handle and steer in a way that makes you feel confident in its abilities?

You need to go further than just around the block to find this out. Most salespeople are pretty amenable to a reasonably lengthy test drive, once they've decided that you're a prospect.

You should take at least half an hour and drive the car on suburban streets, arterial roads and a motorway, where you'll be able to take it up to 100 km/h. This is important. Some cars are fine at suburban speeds, but develop strange handling and steering characteristics on the highway. Higher noise and vibration levels at speed can also be annoying.

Can you reach all the switches and controls, and do they work smoothly and precisely? Is the airconditioning effective? Does the audio system produce music or noise?

Have a go at parallel parking. It will probably be a bit tricky, given that the car is unfamiliar, but after a few goes you'll know if it's going to get easier or not.

At the end of the test drive, make a decision on whether you're prepared to buy this make and model of car before you take it back to the dealer.

Remember that a test drive involves no obligation on your part to buy the car. If it is the first car you have tested, it might be worth trying the others on your shortlist, because you might like them more.

On the other hand, if this is the car you want, it's time to talk price.

The car and the deal are two different things. Fall in love with the car by all means, but do the deal as if you might just walk away. 

NRMA's test drive checklist (PDF 72KB/1 page) - take this with you on your next road test