How to Test Drive a Car?

Buying a car is one of the biggest purchases you can make after buying a house. It’s a long-term commitment, and prices range upwards to $50,000 and more for a brand new car, and up to $25,000 for a reliable used car. That’s a significant amount of money riding on a decision that many buyers make after spending just 15 minutes behind the wheel.

Which is why it’s so important to have a detailed test drive before you buy the vehicle, so you avoid buyer’s remorse, lemon-law disputes, and comfort issues that only surface after you’ve signed the paperwork.

Test Driving a Car: Step-by-Step Guide to Choosing the Right Vehicle

When you test drive a car, be it new or used, there’s so much more than just sitting behind the wheel and seeing if you like how it drives.

It means giving a detailed overview of every aspect of the car, including the interior, exterior, and even how the seats feel.

To make it easier for you, divide the test drive into three main stages, and follow up carefully on each step for the stages:

• Before
• During
• After

Remember: The test drive is for your evaluation. Don’t let sales pressure dictate your decision.

Step One: Prepare Before You Visit the Dealership

You need to start by doing some research on exactly what kind of make and model you want to test drive. For example, if you’re interested in compact SUVs (Honda CR-V, 2021 Mazda CX-5, 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, etc.), then make sure the dealership has these on the lot so you can test drive them.

Whatever make or model you’re interested in, you need to understand the basic mechanics of the car so you’ll be focused on the test drive only on the day you visit the dealership. This includes learning about the engine, fuel economy or EV range, the biggest issues with the specific model you’re interested in, and what to expect when you’re in the driver’s seat.

We recommend listing no more than three models you want to test-drive in one day; otherwise, you may feel overwhelmed and experience decision fatigue.

Step Two: Schedule Your Test Drive and Plan the Route

It’s very important that you plan your test drive route beforehand and that you deliberately include the following:

• Neighborhood streets at 25-35 mph: Stop signs, turns, pedestrian areas
• A highway or fast road at 60-70 mph: Merging, lane changes, sustained cruising
• Rougher surfaces or speed bumps: Potholes, railroad crossings, uneven pavement

This way, you can test the car on various road conditions and see how it performs. Additionally, you must plan for the test drive to be at least half an hour, even more if possible.

If a dealership doesn’t allow you to drive the car for longer, then reconsider buying there. This is particularly important if you’re looking at a used car since the seller might be trying to hide an issue with the car.

Step Three: Inspect the Car on the Lot Before You Drive

The test drive begins before you sit down behind the wheel, especially if you’re looking at a used car.

Take a look around the vehicle, notice any issues on the exterior, and take note of every scratch, bump, or paint misalignment. Sit down in every seat of the car, test every door, the trunk, move the wheel, check the mirrors, check the horn, and make sure you test and feel out every single thing before you begin.

For families, bring an actual child seat if possible. With the salesperson’s permission, install it briefly to verify LATCH anchor access and belt routing. If you can, also include daily items you carry around in your car, e.g., gym bag, stroller, so you can check out the trunk space.

Step Four: Adjust Seats, Mirrors, and Tech Before Moving

When you take your seat in the car, start by adjusting your seat to your preferred position, make sure the mirrors are also settled, and then start touching every button on the dashboard.

This means you test the radio, you also try connecting your phone to the Bluetooth system, check out the window buttons, the backup camera (if applicable), and anything else relevant to your daily driving habits.

For new cars, or newer used cars with advanced driver-assistance features (most 2021+ models), locate the buttons and menus for adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring before you put the car in drive.

Step Five: Conduct the Actual Test Drive

When you’re ready, begin with the actual test drive on the road.

• Start in the parking lot. Turn the engine on and let it idle. If you are test-driving a used car, make sure the engine is completely cold before you start it. To verify this, open the hood before beginning and check if the engine is warm. This means the seller drove the car before you got there, and potentially could be hiding something. A proper cold start reveals rough idling, hesitation, or unusual noises that don’t appear once the engine has warmed up.
• Drive off slowly. As mentioned earlier, try out the car on different roads, start at normal city speeds, around 25 to 35 mph, and test the brakes several times. The pedal should feel firm and controlled, not soft or overly sensitive. Perform a firm, controlled stop to simulate emergency braking. If someone is in the car with you, warn them. The vehicle should stop straight without pulling to one side or vibrating excessively.
• Switch seats. If possible, take someone with you on the actual day you’re test driving, and switch seats with the person. Sit down in the passenger seat and see how it feels from there, and you may notice things you didn’t notice from the driver’s seat. If you can’t bring someone, ask a salesperson if they would do this with you.
• Test the steering and alignment. While driving on a straight, flat road, slightly loosen your grip on the steering wheel for a moment. The car should continue straight without drifting left or right. If it pulls to one side, that indicates an alignment or suspension issue. Notice whether the steering feels overly loose or too stiff during normal turns.
• Pay attention to seat comfort over time. Do not judge the seats in the first five minutes. After 15 to 20 minutes of driving, assess how your lower back feels and whether you are constantly adjusting your position. Minor discomfort during a short drive turns into daily frustration once the car becomes part of your routine.

It’s very important that during the drive you keep the radio off and listen for any noise or suspicious rattling. If the car includes driver-assistance features, briefly test adaptive cruise control or lane-keeping assist.

After the Test Drive

Once the test drive is complete, you need to take your time and think about everything you loved about the car and what you disliked about it. You can use your experience from the test drive to lead the negotiations.

Keep in mind that you don’t have to buy it just because you took it for a test drive. While the salesman may ask you to “talk numbers”, you’re under no obligation to have this conversation immediately after the test drive.

It’s also important to have a rating system if you’re comparing more than one car. For example, you can give a score from 1 to 10 for each car for different attributes, such as comfort, practicality, budget, and overall feeling.

Questions to Ask After the Test Drive

1. What is the out-the-door price, including taxes and registration?
2. What factory warranty comes with this model, and how long does it last?
3. What does the warranty not cover?
4. What is the expected maintenance cost over the first three to five years?
5. What are the recommended service intervals and estimated maintenance costs?
6. How much do brake and tire replacements typically cost?
7. What’s the trade-in value for my current vehicle?

Additional Tips for Used Cars and Private Sellers

When buying from a private seller or test-driving an older vehicle, you need to be even more deliberate during the drive.

• Insist on a true cold start. Arrive early and ask the seller not to run the vehicle before you get there.
• Drive the car longer than you would at a dealership. A private seller should not rush you. Aim for at least 30 minutes or more so the engine reaches full operating temperature.
• Watch the temperature gauge during the drive. It should rise steadily and then remain stable. Fluctuating temperature can indicate cooling system problems.
• Pay close attention to shifting behavior. Older transmissions often slip, jerk, or hesitate between gears. Test both light acceleration and moderate acceleration to see how it responds.
• Turn off the air conditioning briefly during the drive. Notice whether engine performance changes significantly. A major drop in power can signal underlying issues.

After the drive, let the car idle for a few minutes before shutting it off. Then restart it while the engine is warm. Hesitation or hard starting when warm can indicate fuel or starter issues. Finally, trust your instincts. If the seller seems nervous during certain parts of the drive or discourages specific tests, that alone is a warning sign.

Remember, always buy used cars from reputable sources and insist on a pre-purchase inspection before making a final decision.