Test driving a car is a great way to see how it feels and performs. It’s also a chance to check for any potential problems. Some people aren’t confident in what to look out for when viewing a new car for the first time, so here’s our top tips to a successful car buying experience.

When viewing a car it can be an exciting experience, some sales people are more knowledgeable than others, some have different ways of selling cars to customers. It’s always good to check out the reviews of any dealership or garage in advance. Take a look at their website, Google reviews or reviews on selling platforms like Autotrader or eBay.

Start be asking them about their warranty policies and the paperwork for the vehicle. They should be able to give you a clear indication on what their second hand car sales policy covers in the event something doesn’t go right. Check your consumer rights too so you can be confident in your discussions.

Each car has a log book so you can see the history of the vehicle, where it has been serviced and any major works that have taken place.

When you look around the vehicle itself look at for the following:

Are there any marks on the paintwork? Any little dents? Ensure to ask about these when looking at the vehicle.

Always view it in natural light. You should better be able to see if any areas have been sprayed. You can also run your hand along the paint to see if it feels textured.

Make sure your comfortable with the condition of the interior. No second hand vehicle is perfect, but you have to keep an eye out for any imperfections. Test all elements inside the car. The stereo system,  the aircon, the reversing cameras etc.

When you’re out on the test drive here’s a few things to be aware of:

The engine. Listen for any unusual noises or vibrations. The engine should start up smoothly and idle evenly.

The transmission. You should be able to move between gears smoothly and without any hesitation.

The brakes. The brakes should feel firm and responsive.

The steering. The steering should be easy to control and should not feel loose or wobbly.

The suspension. The suspension should absorb bumps and road imperfections smoothly.

The tyres. The tyres should have good tread and should not be too worn.

In addition to these general things to look out for, there are a few specific things to keep in mind depending on the type of car you’re test driving. For example, if you’re test driving a sports car, you’ll want to pay attention to how the car handles and accelerates. If you’re test driving an 4×4 you want to be sure it’ll work for you off of the main A roads.

It’s also a good idea to take the car on a variety of roads to give you a better sense of how the car performs in different conditions.

Finally, don’t be afraid to ask the dealer any questions you have about the car. The dealer should be happy to answer your questions and help you find the perfect car for your needs.

Don’t forget…

Bring someone with you. It’s always a good idea to bring someone with you when you test drive a car. This person can help you pay attention to things that you might miss.

Be prepared to drive. Make sure you have your driver’s license with you.

We always pride ourselves on being honest and avoiding sales tactics. We only stock quality vehicles that we ourselves would be happy to have on our own driveways. Get in touch if you’d like to try test driving any of our vehicles.