Buying a new car is never an easy task as even after hours of research and contemplation, people are not able to zero down on their favorite one. In this scenario, test driving the shortlisted lot of cars is pretty necessary to eradicate confusion. But, before figuring out how to test drive a car, there are a few things that an individual must keep in mind before, during or after the test drive. Hence, here are a few important tips to ease your experience of test driving a car.
1. Be Fully Informed
You should be thoroughly informed about the exact car and variant that you have shortlisted for test driving. Before you head to the dealerships for taking the test drive, make sure you have ample time for it as rushing doesn’t help at all. It is recommended to carry a USB drive along so that you can comfortably check the music system, sound quality and other functions.
2. How to Book Test Drive of a Car
The wisest and easiest way to book a test drive is visiting the authorized dealership of the manufacturer. You can do this by opening the official website of the company and raising a request there for a test drive of your shortlisted car. The website could ask for a few personal details like the state and city you live in, your full name, mobile number and email address etc. to name a few.
3. Things to Check Before Test Drive
First things first, take a good walk around the car to evaluate its overall appearance. You will notice a difference in how it looks in pictures vs the real world. You can also touch and feel certain parts like door handles, dashboard and seats to judge the overall fit and finish. You should also check the boot of the car and its capacity to carry luggage. Furthermore, the headroom and legroom at the rear seat must be examined to know how comfortable the occupant will be in case of a long drive.
4. Things to Check During Test Drive
Once you are behind the steering wheel, you should drive the car in different gears and various speeds to get a hack of the drive quality and comfort. Also, it will give you an idea about the cabin noise, tyre noise and other vibrations, if any. You must investigate the smoothness of the clutch pedal as it plays an indispensable role in the overall performance of a car. You can also try some off-roading (rough roads) in case you are buying a full-fledged SUV. All the mirrors should be checked properly as they play a massive role in visibility. Last but not the least, the braking system, suspension setup and steering wheel response must be fully tested as well.
5. Things to Remember Before and During Test Drive
Test driving a car is absolutely free of cost. The dealership cannot charge any money from you for this activity. You should drive the car carefully during the test drive as an accident can land you in legal trouble. If you face any issues with the functioning of any part/component of the car, you should take note of it and immediately ask the concerned sales representative. Also, don’t believe what a YouTuber/Influencer says about a particular car. Test drive it and then decide for yourself.
