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Whether you're in the market for a brand new or pre-owned car, test-driving is a crucial part of the buying process. Considering that cars are typically expensive purchases that last for years, it's important to ensure that you make the right choice before signing any papers.
While online resources such as car reviews and YouTube videos are helpful in providing an overview of a particular model, nothing beats experiencing a car in person. Test driving allows you to not only gauge a car's handling but also assess its comfort level, interior materials, and storage space - among other factors.
It's worth noting that test driving a used car requires even more thoroughness than a new one. Used cars may have accumulated wear and tear over time, so you need to keep an eye out for any issues while also determining if the car is a good fit for you. Our comprehensive test-drive guide will equip you with all the information you need to make an informed decision and avoid any potential pitfalls.
As you'll likely be driving your new car for a significant amount of time, it's important to get familiar with all the controls you'll be using on a daily basis. You don't want to find out a week after purchasing that the cruise control is difficult to use, the infotainment screen is slow, or a crucial button is obstructed by the gearstick.
It's also essential to adjust the seat and steering wheel settings to find a comfortable long-term driving position. If you're not the only one who will be driving the car, bring along the other driver to ensure they can also find a comfortable driving position. Familiarising yourself with these details during a test drive will help ensure you make the right choice and avoid any unpleasant surprises after purchasing.
When purchasing a car, it's important to consider not only your own comfort but also that of your family who will be riding with you. While it may be tempting to surprise your kids with a brand-new car, it's best to bring them along during the test drive to ensure they're comfortable in the backseat. This includes testing the space for both taller teenagers and younger children in car seats.
Additionally, it's worth checking if the front seats are within reach of a toddler's kicking feet and ensuring that the interior is spill-proof. While surprises are exciting, it's better to be practical and make sure your family's needs are met before making a purchase.
When purchasing a car, it's important to consider if the boot space meets your lifestyle needs. Whether you need to carry golf clubs, pushchairs, dogs, or bikes, having sufficient space is crucial. However, it's worth noting that outright load space figures may not always tell the whole story, and different manufacturers may measure it differently.
To accurately gauge the boot space, it's recommended to bring something you're likely to carry regularly during the test drive. This way, you can see how well the boot measures up to your needs. If you're not keen on bringing along larger items such as a surfboards for the beach and all your camping gear. it's still helpful to have their measurements on hand when visiting us, This will help you make an informed decision and ensure that the car meets your practical requirements.
Let's be honest, parking is an essential part of any journey, so it's vital to get a feel for how the car handles at low speeds, particularly when it comes to visibility. Buying a car that you can't easily manoeuvre around parking bays without causing damage is not practical
When testing a car, it's worth noting that many modern cars have large A-pillars, which connect the roof to the body of the car in front of the driver and passenger seats, for crash safety. Unfortunately, these can obstruct your view, as can small rear quarterlight windows, resulting in poor backwards visibility. This factor may influence not only your decision to purchase the car but also your choice of options, such as parking sensors, reversing cameras, self-park aids, or even tinted privacy glass.
We always try to give a predefined route from the showroom that are a good mix of roads, but it’s advisable to plan a test drive route that closely replicates your daily driving habits.
At Thame Cars we are close to the M40, in fact we are only 6 mins drive away, and we always want you to drive our cars like they are yours!.So do everything you would do in your own car
Ensure that the route involves a mix of road types that you normally encounter in your driving routine. While it's crucial to determine if the car makes any unsettling noises at higher speeds, it's also important to consider the type of driving you usually do.
Don't limit your test drive to smooth roads only. Drive the car over some of the country's rougher roads to gauge its comfort level in challenging road conditions.
But try to avoid the many potholes
Push it to its limits. Regardless of the car you intend to buy, it's essential to understand how it handles during hard braking. This way, you won't be caught off guard during an emergency. We're not suggesting that you perform a full ABS stop in the middle of a town with a queue of traffic behind you, but it's crucial to determine how the car handles in a panic situation.
While hard acceleration and aggressive cornering may be less important, everyone enjoys a bit of fun now and again. This is the perfect opportunity to determine if the car sounds like a fart under hard acceleration or struggles in the corners – before you invest thousands of pounds in it. If you're purchasing a sports or performance car, some manufacturers offer experience days on a race track, so take advantage of that.
It's not enough to take a car for just one test drive, even if you enjoyed it. Test drive another one to ensure that the first car wasn't an exception to the rule. This is especially important when buying a used car since you might hear the phrase "Oh, they all do that" frequently.
You may notice that various versions of the same car (such as the entry-level model or a higher trim level) handle bumps differently. For instance, an entry-level car with smaller wheels might be more comfortable. This could save you money and a visit to the osteopath.
It's worth exploring alternative engine options, even if you have a specific one in mind. You might have your sights set on a petrol model, but find that a diesel variant is just as impressive, or a slightly larger engine might be worth the extra cost.
Don't be swayed by the belief that smaller engines always consume less fuel. In practical driving situations, a less-stressed engine that requires fewer revs may consume less fuel compared to a smaller engine that requires constant revving
If you’ve been driving a petrol or diesel car for some time and are considering switching to an EV, you may already be aware that there are significant differences in how battery-powered cars operate. It’s important to understand the concept of regenerative braking and to determine if this feature can be adjusted in the car you’re test driving, as well as whether you like how it feels. Additionally, you should inquire about the EV’s charging capabilities, battery size, and estimated range on a single charge. This topic is complex, so you may benefit from reading our comprehensive guide to driving an EV for more information.
If you are unsure about
what to do, it's better to bring along a knowledgeable friend than to pretend
that you know what you're doing. Kicking a tyre won't give you any valuable
information.
