How to Make the Most of a Test Drive

A test drive can be one of the most important aspects of finding and buying the right car. Purchasing a vehicle, whether new or used, is no small investment. It’s also a decision you will likely live with for a long time, with the average age of cars on the road now at 12.6 years. Test driving may take some time, but it can be the difference between owning a car you want to drive forever versus one you want to abandon on the side of the road.

To take a test drive, you could walk into a dealership with no appointment and no idea what car model you’re interested in, but there’s a better approach.

1. Research and narrow your options

Before going to a dealership or meeting a private seller, identify which makes and models fit your budget, lifestyle and preferences. Check online reviews, compare features and decide on two or three models and trim levels you want to test-drive.

You may be inclined to test-drive only one vehicle, but it’s difficult to really evaluate a car without driving others for comparison. If possible, drive the models you choose on the same day, so you can compare with everything fresh in your mind.

2. Plan your test drive route and time

A true test drive isn’t a series of right turns around the block. Plan your route ahead of time to include various types of road and driving conditions — city streets, highways, gravel roads, rough pavement, steep hills and sharp curves. To test the car’s suspension, you might add railroad tracks or speed bumps. Make the dealership or seller aware that you intend to drive your own route and not one they suggest.

Also, think about the best time to test drive. Weekends at a dealership are busy. Weekday mornings and afternoons are usually less busy, so you can test-drive without feeling rushed. However, scheduling later in the day can enable you to drive a car in both daylight and darkness in one visit.

3. Set an appointment

Check online car sites to locate the vehicles you’re interested in and then reach out to the dealership or seller to schedule a test drive. This ensures the car will be available and ready for your visit. Most dealerships enable you to schedule a test drive online. Also, allow at least 30 minutes for a test drive — longer if you intend to be very thorough.

Be specific about the make and model you expect to drive, all the way down to trim level if you have one in mind. If the dealership doesn’t have it, find a dealer that does or wait for them to get it. Driving a similar model or trim with a different powertrain or features won’t provide a realistic evaluation of the car you’re considering.

When making the appointment, convey that you intend to take your time driving and analyzing the vehicle, and that you don’t plan to make a decision that day.

4. Bring all necessary items

The one must-have item is your valid driver’s license, but here are some other things you may need or want to have with you:

• Proof of auto insurance if it’s required. Usually you’re covered by car dealer insurance during a test drive, but that can vary, so ask before you go. (If you’re test-driving a private seller’s car, their insurance should provide coverage, but be sure to confirm they actually have insurance.) 

• A reminder list of what you want to check on the car.

• A notepad to jot down observations.

• A way to take photos (such as your phone). 

• Any items you will be using in the car — such as electronic devices, a car seat or dog kennel.

5. Set expectations

Plan what you will say when you arrive at a dealership, where you may or may not encounter a pushy salesperson. To give yourself some breathing room, let them know upfront that you don’t plan to buy that day. You are only test-driving, comparing vehicles and gathering information to take home before reaching a final decision.

6. Inspect the car’s exterior

Prior to venturing out on the road, take time to check the vehicle over inside and out.

• Walk around the car. Look for dents, scratches or other damage. Even new cars can be damaged in transit or on car lots. Take photos of any damage you find or exterior car features you like or don’t like. 

• See how easy it is to get in and out. Do the doors open and shut easily? Is there sufficient room to access a second or third row of seats? Is the step-in height low enough? This can be especially important if you regularly have children or older adults in the car.

• Look for the charging port. If the vehicle is an EV or plug-in hybrid, see if the charging port is in a location that would be easy to access for home charging.

7. Evaluate the interior

• Try features and controls. Are touchscreens on an infotainment system intuitive and easy to use? Are steering wheel, seating and other controls in locations that make sense? Are gauges simple to read in both the light and dark? Can controls be accessed through voice commands?

• Test phone integration. Connect using both a cable and Bluetooth and see how easy it is to make calls or listen to music. This is also a good time to check the quality of the sound system. If the vehicle has Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, ask for a demo. If the car has WiFi, ask about testing it too.

• Check interior space. Is there sufficient headroom and legroom in the front and back? Is there enough cargo space for items you regularly transport? If you’re buying an SUV, do back seats fold down flat for easier loading? Are there enough cupholders?

• Consider comfort. How adjustable are front and rear seats and are they at a firmness level you prefer? Is back support sufficient for long trips? Are arm rests beneficial or in the way? Of course, comfort should also be considered when you drive the car later.

• Test the navigation. Enter a location on your test drive route so you can try the navigation system during the test drive.

• Try the heat and air. Is it easy to operate and effective? If the vehicle has dual- or tri-zone climate control, does it work well?

• Ask about safety and driver-assist systems. What features, such as lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning, does the car have and how do they work? See if you are able to adjust these features, for example by turning them off with dashboard controls.

» MORE: Car safety features: What to know

8. Scrutinize these things while you drive

Next is the fun part of actually driving the car.

• Test at highway speeds. How well does the car accelerate and handle when you’re trying to change lanes or merge into fast traffic? How smoothly does it shift gears or change speeds? Also, how does the cruise control work and feel?

• Check visibility. Determine the degree that any blind spots hide other vehicles. If the car has blind spot warning, how well does it work? Can you adjust mirrors to a position that enables you to see well?

• Take note of the steering. Turn both left and right, and change lanes, to get a feel for the steering. Make a sharp turn to test the car’s handling and responsiveness.

• Assess how the brakes feel. Do they respond well when you hit the pedal? Are they soft or grabby, and how do they work at slow and fast speeds? If you’re driving a hybrid or electric vehicle for the first time, be aware that their braking can feel very different than a traditional gas-powered car.

• Listen for noise. At some point during the drive, turn off any music and make sure windows are up. Are there sounds from the engine, wind, tires or other sources that could get annoying over time?

• Park the car. See how well it maneuvers into a space, especially for parallel parking. If it’s equipped with automatic parking, try that too. Also, a parking lot is a good place to check other things, like visibility of a backup camera or whether the car is high enough to avoid scraping parking blocks.

• Use safety and driver-assist features. Since you familiarized yourself with these features before driving, now is the time to test them. For example, is forward collision warning too sensitive, alerting you to road signs on a curve? Does adaptive cruise control keep a comfortable driving distance?

• Ask about an extended test drive. Some dealerships will allow you to take a vehicle home for the night. Once you’ve narrowed your choice to the final vehicle, see if taking it home for a short time is an option. That way you can be sure it fits your garage or parking area. It also enables you to drive after dark to test the headlights and interior illumination.

• Don’t go alone. If possible, take a friend or partner with you. Another person may notice positives or negatives that you don’t. They can sit in the backseat to see how it rides while you’re driving. And, they can make small talk with the salesperson so you can focus on the test drive.

• Request more than one test drive. Don’t feel too demanding if you request a second test drive or more. Sometimes it’s necessary. For example, if you’re buying a family vehicle, you may not want to take kids the first time to reduce distractions. Or, if you have to test-drive in the morning, you may want to go back to drive the car after dark.

You don’t have to decide about buying a car on the same day as the test drive. In fact, it’s probably a good idea not to. Test driving, especially several cars in one day, can be an overload of information. Take your notes, photos and thoughts home to evaluate and compare away from the dealership.

Think about what stood out for each vehicle, whether positive or negative. Determine whether you have additional questions, need another test drive or maybe want to try an entirely different make or model.

If you decide to buy one of the cars you test drove, contact the dealership to ask for a detailed cost breakdown, including taxes, fees and any add-ons — also called a car’s out-the-door price.

» Compare auto loan rates to find the best lender for you

Most steps for test driving a new car also apply for a used car. However, for a used car you should check closely for potential mechanical issues. During your test drive, it’s a convenient time to take the vehicle for an inspection by a mechanic of your choice. Ask the used-car dealership or private seller ahead of time if you can take the car for an inspection. If they decline, look for a different car.

Also, inquire about the vehicle’s history, including past maintenance, accidents and any remaining warranties. Obtaining a vehicle history report can help confirm the accuracy of information you’re given.

If you buy a car through an online platform, like CarMax or Carvana, you may not see it in person prior to its delivery. But there are a few precautions you can take in place of a traditional dealership test drive.

First, leverage any virtual tools available to assess the car’s condition. Many online platforms have 360-degree virtual tours, detailed photos and videos of a car’s interior and exterior.

Also, review return policies before buying. Some online platforms enable you to take delivery of the car, drive it for a while and return it if it doesn’t meet your expectations. While this isn’t as beneficial as driving and comparing several cars, it does give you an out if you find issues. Make sure you know how long you have to return a vehicle, so you can fully test everything before the return window expires.