How to Master The Test Drive In 5 Simple Steps

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Buying a car is a big decision, and it’s likely to take a big chunk out of your finances. For this reason, it’s imperative that you don’t make a blunder when deciding on the car of your choice. You’ve got to be thorough in every stage of the process, and that includes the test drive! Test driving a car is a basic necessity to ensure the vehicle is in good working order. We’re going to show you how to conduct a test drive properly in five simple steps.

#1 Are You Insured?

Firstly, you need to make sure that you’re able to drive the car in question. If this is your first vehicle, and you’re still waiting to obtain insurance, you aren’t allowed to drive it. In this case, the best thing you can do is bring an additional driver with you who can drive on your behalf. Otherwise, it’s worth putting off the test drive until you can obtain the necessary level of insurance. You don’t want to crash and put yourself in financial turmoil!

#2 Check For Issues

The next important step is to check for any issues that might be present. You can never be too sure whether a seller is hiding something from you, especially if it’s a private seller. Once you’ve done a thorough check of the exterior, keep an eye out for any problems while driving. If anything sounds or feels like it’s struggling, there’s reason for concern.

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#3 Does It Suit Your Needs?

Throughout the span of your test drive, you’ll get a feel for the car. This might result in a good experience or a bad one, depending on what you want out of it. Most importantly, you need to make sure it will suit your needs overall. A Volkswagen Golf might be fit for the whole family, but an old and used Citroen Saxo might not be. You need to consider this thoroughly.

#4 Vary Your Driving Style

If you can, find a suitable location to test drive the vehicle where multiple driving styles will be involved. It’s all well and good doing 70mph on the motorway, but you won’t always be driving at high speeds! Instead, seek different terrains and road situations. You want to get a feel for how the car handles itself in different circumstances to help spot any weaknesses.

#5 Don’t Rush Into A Decision

If you come away from your test drive with the inclination to buy, that’s great! However, if you’re still uncertain about the whole thing, don’t be forced into a decision right away. The seller will look longingly at you for an answer, but it’s OK to sleep on it. Use this opportunity to talk it over with your spouse or family members. This is a big decision you’re making; you don’t want to get it wrong.

That’s all you need to do! It isn’t difficult to master the test drive, but it’s easy to get it wrong, too. As long as you follow these steps, you should be just fine.