Top Tips for a Useful and Thorough Test Drive
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Posted On :
May-27-2011
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Article Word Count :
970
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The following guide offers some top advice to make sure you come out of a car test drive with all your questions and concerns covered.
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Test driving a car before you buy it is just as important as researching the cars’ features and specs. The vehicle might tick all the right boxes on paper, but it’s also crucial that you enjoy driving it, and that it delivers the quality performance that you expect.
The ‘golden rule’ when undertaking a test drive is to remember that you are the customer who will be paying a substantial sum of money and you’ll be driving the car frequently for the long term, so take your time and be thorough.
The following guide will describe some of the key factors to consider when taking your prospective new car out for a spin.
Inspecting the Car
The first thing to remember when visiting a dealership is to stick to your guns about the car you have chosen – in other words, don’t let them tempt you into inspecting lots of other cars that are above your budget limit.
Before you actually take the test drive, first thoroughly inspect the exterior and interior of the car. Don’t feel shy about taking time to closely scrutinise everything until you feel satisfied.
Particularly for those who have families or who transport large equipment around frequently, space is crucial. Check that the size of the boot meets your needs. And if the back seat folds down for more boot space, ensure that it works smoothly.
With second-hand cars, it’s especially a good idea to take someone with you who has good knowledge of what to look out for under the bonnet. Also,scan for even minor dents and scratches as you may be able to bring the price down when negotiating with the owner. A further important factor is to ask the seller for the car’s maintenance records, registration certificate and owner’s manual, since these documents will allow for a more thorough inspection.
Some other often overlooked areas to inspect in second-hand cars are the radio and CD player as well as the windscreen wipers and indicators. Also don’t forget to make sure the tyre changing tools and spare tyre are in the car.
Choose Your Route
It’s a good idea to plan your route before the test drive. You should take the car on a spin for about half an hour. The route you choose should put the car through its paces and shift it through all the gears, from long stretches where you can accelerate,to steep inclines, to High Streets. If you leave the route to the seller to decide on, they might be tempted to choose a drive that covers up any performance faults.
The Test Drive
Especially when buying second-hand, check that you’re insured for the test drive. Either your own insurance will carry a DOC (Driving Other Cars) clause, or the seller will have temporary cover for people testing his/her vehicle.
Don’t take the family along on your test drive as you’ll want to devote all your attention to the car. Firstly, check that the key turns easily and that on purchase you will be given two sets - replacement car keys are rather expensive. Secondly, start the car when it’s cold to make sure there are no problems with the starter.
Next, you’ll want to make sure that the controls work and are in easy reach. Don’t forget to check that the air conditioning blows both hot and cold and that the air vents are operating smoothly.
While driving, the steering should be responsive and there should be no vibration. It’s important that the brakes effectively bring the car to a halt.
When it comes to the transmission, make certain that the car shifts easily from park to drive if it’s an automatic. In a manual car, the gears should move smoothly when changing. The clutch should also engage the transmission easily.
Test Drive Top Tips
• It’s worth knowing or printing out the key features of the car to take along to your test drive – this will allow you to ask the seller thorough questions.
• Look into the tax, insurance, fuel and maintenance costs that your new car will need – it’s pointless wasting your time test driving a car if the additional costs will stretch your budget too far.
• If you’re buying a second-hand car, it’s a good idea to have a trusted mechanic look it over rather than taking the word of the seller that everything is in perfect condition.
• Don’t feel pressured by the salesperson into making a quick decision. Take your time to be sure you’re happy with the deal.
• Check that all the gadgets and controls are in good working condition – these can often be overlooked.
• If you need your car to carry a children’s car seat, take it along to make sure it fits securely.
• It is a good idea to bring a friend or partner to your test drive as they might pick up on any problems you miss.
• When buying a second-hand car, it might be wise to check the registration number to see if the car has been stolen, has any outstanding finance charges or has been involved in a major accident.
• It’s wise to choose two to three top options and test drive all of them, that way you can best identify the car that’s most suitable to your needs and preferences.
Conclusion
The above article gives you some important advice to make the most out of your test drive and to help you put the car through the right paces to ensure you’re making the right choice. In my mind it can’t be said enough – take your time to inspect and drive the car because it’s going to be a large financial investment and a crucial part of your life.
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Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_ Top Tips for a Useful and Thorough Test Drive_62983.aspx
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Author Resource :
Jeremy Allston is a car repair business owner and Volvo test drive enthusiast.
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Keywords :
test drive,
Category :
Travel and Leisure
:
Cars
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