Get The Most Out Of Your Test Drive With Our Top Tips

A test drive should be the easiest part of buying a car. You turn up, drive around for a bit, then decide whether it feels right.

In reality, it often happens under mild pressure, on unfamiliar roads, with a salesperson talking just enough to stop you forming a clear opinion (remember, they’re usually following a ‘script’ that ultimately leads to you saying yes).

That’s a shame. Because the test drive is the one moment when the car can’t hide behind brochures, spec sheets or your own impulse buying, this is where you find out whether it fits your life.

Whether you’re buying new or used, petrol, diesel or electric, these tips are about using that short time properly, and avoiding the quiet regret of realising something obvious a week after you’ve bought it.

Read More: If you’re not at the test drive stage, here are some Questions To Ask When Visiting A Car Dealership.

1. Replicate A Normal Driving Day

Dealers often suggest calm, convenient routes. Smooth roads, light traffic and no awkward junctions. Pleasant, but not always realistic.

Push gently for a route that reflects your real driving. If most of your journeys involve crawling through town traffic, tight residential streets or motorway miles, make sure at least part of the test driver includes that.

Pay attention to things that only show up in everyday use:

• Can you actually see clearly at junctions?
• Does the steering feel light and easy at low speeds, or oddly heavy?
• Is the clutch smooth in traffic, or tiring?
• If it’s an automatic, what are gear transitions like?
• How loud is it at 60–70 mph on rougher tarmac?

If you’re test driving an electric car, include slower urban driving and open roads. Regenerative braking can feel strange at first, and it’s better to notice that now than on the school run later.

The Energy Saving Trust has a helpful overview of how EVs behave differently in real-world conditions, worth keeping in mind as you drive.

The goal here isn’t to be impressed; plenty of cars manage that. It’s to feel comfortable, which is much harder to fake.

2. Ignore The Extras

Modern cars are brilliant at distraction. Big screens, drive modes, ambient lighting, and menus buried inside menus. These are pretty interesting and ‘sexy’, but they don’t matter if the fundamentals are wrong.

Spend the first part of the drive focusing on how the car behaves:

• Does it pull away smoothly?
• Does the steering feel confidence-inspiring or vague?
• Are the brakes progressive, or are they too ‘jerky’?

Ask yourself a few quiet questions:

• Do I feel relaxed driving this?
• Can I judge the size of it easily?
• Would this still feel fine after an hour on the motorway?

Only once you’ve answered those should you start playing with the tech. Infotainment systems vary wildly in usability, and what looks impressive on the forecourt can become deeply annoying on the move. 

Which? regularly highlights how distracting poorly designed in-car systems can be, especially when basic functions are hidden behind touchscreens. It’s no surprise, then, that a number of manufacturers are moving back to physical buttons.

A useful rule of thumb: If something irritates you on a 20-minute test drive, it will really irritate you after six months.

3. Test The Boring Stuff

Practical stuff like visibility, comfort and storage might not be the most exciting topics, but they should be high on any car buyer's list.

Take time setting up the driving position. If you can’t get comfortable, the car’s charm wears off quickly. Make sure the seat and steering wheel adjust properly for you, not just an “average” driver.

Check the everyday details:

• Can you read the instrument display without squinting?
• Are the mirrors easy to position if you’re tall or short?
• Is there somewhere sensible for your phone, keys and drinks?

If you’re buying a family car, bring the things you actually use.

It might seem like overkill, but we recommend bringing child seats, pushchairs and sports bags if they’re part of your daily car useage. Don’t assume they’ll fit just because the boot figure looks good on paper. Shape matters more than volume, and narrow door openings become very annoying very quickly, especially in supermarket car parks.

For used cars, this is also when to notice rattles, warning lights or odd smells. If something feels off, it usually is. The AA’s used car inspection advice explains common issues that are easy to spot on a short drive if you’re paying attention.

4. Ask For Some Silence

Salespeople are usually friendly and well-meaning, but constant commentary can drown out your own impressions. It’s perfectly reasonable to ask for a few minutes of quiet.

You need to listen to the car, focusing on engine and road noise, suspension over bumps and wind noise at speed.

This quiet time helps you notice subtle things that affect long-term comfort:

• Does the car pull under braking?
• How does it react to uneven road surfaces?
• Is there excessive tyre roar on coarse roads?

These details matter. Research on driver comfort and safety consistently shows that higher noise levels and poor ergonomics increase fatigue and stress over time, even when drivers don’t consciously notice it.

Transport studies, including those referenced by Transport for London, highlight how reduced noise and better seating improve concentration and reduce cognitive load.

A calm drive now usually means a calmer ownership experience later.

5. Don’t Make Any Quick Decisions

A test drive shouldn’t end with a decision on the spot. Even if you love the car, give yourself time.

Once you step out, ask how you actually feel. Not how impressed you were, but whether you can imagine living with it day to day. Did anything annoy you that you brushed aside? Did something feel unexpectedly good?

It helps to jot down a few notes while it’s fresh, especially if you’re driving multiple cars. After three or four test drives, details blur together far more than people expect.

Also think beyond the drive itself:

• Are the running costs realistic?
• Is insurance likely to be affordable?
• Does it have a solid reliability record?

Sites like Honest John offer UK-focused ownership feedback that can add useful context, particularly around common long-term complaints. We’ve also compiled a concise list of The Top 10 Most Reliable Cars too, which is well worth checking out.

If a dealer pushes for an immediate commitment, that’s usually a sign to slow down, not speed up.

What To Check On A Test Drive (Quick Reference)

What About Test Driving Used Cars?

If you’re buying used, everything above applies, with a bit more caution layered on top.

Try to see the car when the engine is cold, if possible, as issues often show themselves at start-up. Check that the clutch doesn’t slip, the gearbox shifts smoothly, and warning lights illuminate briefly then go out as they should.

It’s also sensible to check the MOT history online using the government’s MOT history service. Patterns matter more than one-off failures.

A test drive won’t uncover everything. But it should leave you feeling confident, not quietly doubtful.

Read More: Is Buying A New Car A Waste Of Money?

Our Final Word

A test drive isn’t a performance review. It’s not about pushing the car to its limits or proving anything. It’s about answering one simple question:

Does this car fit into my life without friction?

If you slow down, ask for quiet, and pay attention to the unglamorous details, you’ll almost always make a better choice. And when you finally drive away for real, the car won’t feel new or unfamiliar.

It’ll just feel right, which is the best outcome you can hope for.

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