What Should You Do On A Test Drive?

Falling in love with a car depends a lot on your first impressions, and beyond a look around while it’s on display, the test drive has a huge part to play. 

As an opportunity to really get to grips with the car and determine whether or not it will suit you, your lifestyle and your driving style, the pressure is on to get the most out of your test drive. Whilst it’s easy to get swept away by the car cosmetically, there are some ways in which you can use a test drive to get a true picture of a car’s suitability. 

What should you do on a test drive? 

1. Set it up for your driving style 

You’ll get the best out of a car that you’re test driving by setting up the seating position and, in some cases, the controls to the way you would have them if the vehicle was your own. This will give you a good representation of how the car will feel to drive. Compromising on comfort for the sake of a test drive could mean you’re put off of a car that could otherwise be perfect. 

Make sure you can reach the pedals comfortably, the steering wheel is in a position where it doesn’t impact your knees or your shoulders, and adjust the mirrors to ensure a clear view of the road. This is also a good time to make sure the car can accommodate the basics, like how comfortable it is for yourself and anyone regularly travelling in the car, such as your children, to get in and out of the car. 

2. Get your route right

You know the sorts of roads that you usually travel on, so it makes no sense to drive on completely different ones when you take a potential new car on a test drive. Choose a route that reflects the type of driving that your car will need to tackle on a daily basis, to really see if it performs as you would expect it to. 

3. Take your time

As you’re only looking at the car, you may feel pressure to rush your test drive so as not to waste anyone’s time if you don’t end up choosing it. However, this may not do you or the car any justice, and relaxing into the drive may make all the difference. Take the time to really get to know the car - this is the only way you’ll make the right choice.  

4. Put the car through its paces  

It’s easy to get carried away by its good looks and impressive features, but how the car handles will be what matters when it comes down to it. For example, if you know you have a driveway that’s awkward to get into, you’ll want to test the turning circle. If you regularly reverse park, you should suss out the visibility while reversing. 

5. Test the features 

Having said that, taking those impressive features into consideration is still important. Take a look at elements like the navigation, audio features, and reversing camera, and investigate how any safety tech works. Now’s the time to make sure the cargo space is up to the task too; for example, if you regularly transport buggies, golf clubs or the family dog, you’ll need to test the boot space as a priority. 

6. Ask lots of questions 

For car retailers, we’re used to car buyers asking lots of questions - and it’s no wonder, as we’re the ones with the answers. We completely understand that there is lots you want to know about a used car - its history, features, the range (for electric cars), economical credentials, and ultimately, whether it’s the best car for what you need. 

What are the hallmarks of a good test drive experience? 

In our experience, you’ll get the most out of your test drive if you’re given the time, space and trust to really get acquainted with your potential new car. Being able to suggest a route yourself and adjust the car to your requirements makes all the difference, and inevitably leads to you driving away in a car you love, regardless of how many you try before you buy. 

Test drive your next car at Carlingo 

Here at Carlingo in Harrogate, we’re big believers in the importance of a test drive - so what are you waiting for? There are so many cars to discover here at our Harrogate dealership, and each one is available to be test driven. Ready to fall in love with your next car? Browse the selection online today.