How to test drive a car

A test drive is just a formality for many used-car buyers, but even buyers who know little about cars really need to pay attention to this important facet of purchasing a used car.

Before anything else, check that you will be covered by the owner's insurance if you should crash during the test drive. Ask the owner whether they expect you to cough up for all repairs or just the excess. You will need to pay the excess, particularly if the crash was the result of your own negligence.

After that's settled, take a dispassionate look at this vehicle before test driving it. Do you like its looks? Will you tire of the colour after a year or two of ownership? Is it the right size for you and the family?

If you're still committed, take a seat behind the wheel, but wait a few minutes before commencing the test drive. Are you comfortable? If not, can you adjust the seat and mirrors to suit you? Once there, can you place your left foot comfortably on the foot rest without raising your right knee too high for comfort when using the brake and accelerator?

Now fiddle with the controls (indicators, wipers, headlights and hazard lights, to name a few). Crank up the audio system and check all its functions work, and try the air-conditioning or climate control on different settings. Does the glove box open easily and close securely?

If it's a high-end car, don't forget to check all the other infotainment features work to specification. That includes the satellite navigation, smartphone connectivity, reversing camera display, etc. Don't neglect the sunroof either, if one is fitted.

If you're buying this car for your partner to drive as well, make sure they can also adjust the driving position appropriately for them and all the gadgets are easy to reach and operate for both of you.

Imagine various scenarios such as loading shopping, picking up the kids or elderly passengers, and loading pushbikes or strollers. Sit the kids in the back seat and check that they have enough room to stretch out. Don't take their word for it that they have sufficient legroom. Check for yourself.

Is the owner of the vehicle coming along for the drive? It's best they don't, because they may distract you from the job at hand. If they're worried you might abscond with their property, offer your driving licence details and/or the keys to your own vehicle.

If you know the area, select a route of your own choosing for the test drive. That should be based on the sort of driving you will do in this car on a regular basis. If you spend all your time commuting back and forth between work and home, find a test drive route through traffic that is equally congested.

You're testing this car for potential ownership, so don't treat it with kid gloves. At the same time don't attack the streets like Daniel Ricciardo on a mission, either. What we mean is: don't avoid all potholes, give the suspension a chance to demonstrate what condition it is in.

Ride quality – Drive the car on a number of different road surfaces. Seek out winding roads, city streets, hills, potholes, etc, to see how the vehicle reacts. Test it on the kind of roads you expect to drive every day.

Power – Test the power in real-world situations: highway merging, passing and sudden acceleration in city driving. Is there enough power to inspire confidence? How is power affected by the air-conditioning? Air conditioners put a serious drain on small engines. Be sure to repeat all the tests with the air-conditioning on.

Transmission – If driving a manual, look for smooth gearshift and clutch action. Do both feel precise and easy to use, or vague and notchy? If you're testing a 4WD, engage and disengage the 4WD to test how easy or intuitive it is to operate. If testing an automatic, how are the upshifts and downshifts? Are they smooth? Does it downshift at appropriate times? Not too early or too late? There should be no abrupt jolts or lurches during shifts.

Handling – Practice long turns and short turns, sudden swerves and smooth transitions. How well does the car react to changes in direction? Does it feel stable and controllable? Do you feel you could avoid an accident if you had to? Does the steering feel precise with no excessive motion?

Braking – Really use the brakes. Make sure they slow you in a straight, controlled manner. Brake softly, then aggressively to test the car's reaction to sudden braking input. Remember to warn passengers beforehand and be sure to check for other cars around you.

Noise – Listen for excessive engine, interior, tyre and wind noise with the windows up and down. If the car is equipped with a sunroof, open it and listen. Do this at normal speeds as well as under full throttle. Excessive noise quickly becomes irritating.

Parking – Parallel park the car to check for blind spots or any difficulty identifying the corners of the car. Assess whether the steering is light enough at low speeds for parking manoeuvres.

What to look out for during a test drive:

Now you're ready to go out and test some cars. Be tough, thorough and honest. Know what to look for and you'll find the car that suits you best. Remember, if the car doesn't feel right, it probably isn't!