What Should You Look for in a Good Test Drive?

A car can look perfect in photos and tick every box on paper, but you will not really know if it suits you until you get behind the wheel.

A good test drive is about more than checking whether the car runs smoothly. It is your chance to see how comfortable, practical and easy the car feels in real driving.

Here are a few things worth paying attention to.

Start With Comfort

Before you even start driving, take a moment to get comfortable.

Adjust the seat, steering wheel and mirrors to your normal driving position. Check whether you have good visibility around the car and whether the main controls are easy to reach.

Think about getting in and out too. Something that feels slightly awkward during a short test drive could become frustrating when you are doing it every day.

Pay Attention to How It Drives

Once you are on the road, notice how the car responds to everyday driving.

Does the steering feel comfortable and predictable? Do the brakes respond smoothly? Does the car accelerate without hesitation?

If possible, drive on a mix of roads rather than staying on one quiet street. This gives you a better idea of how the car feels at different speeds and over different road surfaces.

Listen for Anything Unusual

Turn the music down for part of the drive and listen to the car.

Unexpected rattles, vibrations, knocking sounds or excessive road noise are worth paying attention to, particularly when buying used.

Not every sound means there is a serious problem, but if something does not seem right, ask about it and consider getting the vehicle professionally inspected before buying.

Try the Everyday Features

A test drive is also a chance to see how easy the car would be to live with.

Try parking and reversing. Check the reversing camera or parking sensors if fitted. Connect your phone, test the air conditioning and have a look at the infotainment system.

Open the boot and sit in the back seats too. The goal is to test the whole car, not just the driver’s seat.

Do Not Rush Your Decision

When the drive is over, ask yourself a simple question: could you comfortably drive this car every day?

Think about visibility, comfort, practicality and how confident you felt behind the wheel. If something does not feel right or you are unsure about the condition of a used car, consider arranging a pre purchase inspection with a qualified professional before making your decision. An independent inspection can help identify potential issues that may not be obvious during a test drive.

For more helpful advice on what to check when buying used, read our guide below.

Find Your Next Car

A good test drive should help you understand not only how a car drives, but whether it actually fits your life.

Ready to start looking? Browse 40,000+ new and used vehicles for sale across New Zealand on Auto Trader and find your next car.