Taking a Test Drive

Although reading up on car reviews can give you an idea of what other people think of a particular vehicle, and going to see it in the showroom can give you a feel for how you like its appearance, neither of them are a substitute for getting behind the wheel and giving it a try.

Here are some tried and tested tips for going out on a test drive:

Arranging the Test

If you're looking at a number of different cars, try to test them all out within a relatively short time. If you leave too long a gap in between driving each vehicle, you may forget how one car compares with another.

Try to book a test drive in the middle of the week when the dealership and the roads are quiet. Weekends are notoriously bad times to arrange a test drive, particularly if you want to try out a popular model.

Once you've narrowed your choice down to one or two cars, ask the dealer if you can go out on an extended test drive; this should be for at least half an hour. Some manufacturers will let you test drive a car over 48 hours, or sometimes even longer; however others dealers may not be quite so keen on the idea. Be firm though - this is an important and expensive purchase, and you must make sure that you are happy with it before buying.

Before You Start Driving

Make sure that the boot is big enough for your needs. It's a good idea to take any equipment that you regularly carry with you and see if it fits, for example a pushchair or golf clubs.
How easy is it to move the seats - either to adjust their position or to fold them down to increase the boot size?
Can you get in and out of the car easily? How easy is it for passengers to climb into the back seat? Do the front seats fold forward easily?
Is there enough head room?
Is there enough legroom?
Is the seating position comfortable? Can you adjust it easily?
Can you adjust the steering wheel?
Are the seat belts comfortable? Can you reach them easily?
What is the visibility like? Check the A-pillar and mirrors.
Is the entertainment system suitable for your needs - does it have a CD player or MP3 player?
What storage options are there? Is there enough room to store things like maps and CDs?

Getting Out on the Road

Take the car out onto as many different types of road as possible, including motorways, A-roads and country lanes; this will give you a good feel for how the car handles in different situations. If you're not a car expert, take a knowledgeable friend along with you. When you're out driving the car, pay particular attention to the following areas: