5 things you should always look for on a test drive
Don’t skip the test drive. A vehicle might seem like the perfect fit on paper, but you won’t know how it fits your needs and desires until you spend some time behind the wheel. Beyond saying yes to the test, there are a few things you should be looking for before you wrap up your car-buying experience.
The test drive is an important look into how your car will fit into your life
No, you’re not inconveniencing anyone by taking a car for a spin before you buy it. In fact, every driver should take a preliminary spin before they purchase a vehicle. That said, you should always take a few things into account when conducting your test drive.
- Vehicle history
- Functionality
- Little squeaks, rattles, and noises
- Look at the car’s segment competition
- How it makes you feel
For starters, you should look at the vehicle’s history. Before you slide into the cockpit of your would-be car purchase, take a look at the maintenance and ownership history. A single wreck can cause issues for a vehicle years after the fact. What’s more, some vehicles, like Porsche and the notorious IMS bearing or BMW and the VANOS, have issues that proper maintenance can rectify.
When it comes to driving the vehicle, check for functionality. Do the doors open and close properly? Do the lights, horn, and infotainment system work as prompted? Inoperable features could be more than irritating and expensive. They could be an indication of pricey maintenance issues that last as long as the vehicle does.
Touch every surface and take note of how the vehicle sounds during the drive. Is there excessive road noise? Are there squeaks and rattles? Noise can tell a story of mistreatment. What’s more, a squeak now can turn into an infuriating presence down the road.
Beyond driving your favorite vehicle in the segment, consider driving its rivals. For instance, you might be weighing the pros and cons of a Hyundai Tucson. To get a feel for the compact SUV segment, you should drive competitors like the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-50.
Let’s face it. Even if you’re not a fuel-fed, power-hungry car enthusiast, you should consider how a car makes you feel. Vehicles are typically one of the most expensive purchases a person makes. Moreover, drivers with a daily commute spend a staggering amount of time in their cars. You might as well pick the one that makes you smile from time to time.
