What happens when test driving a new car?

WantToBeSE

I am going to be test driving a few cars tomorrow and have never test driven a car before.

What happens on the test drive? Are you told where to go or can you choose a route? Will i be accompanied by the salesperson? How long are they normally- 10 mins, 30 mins, longer?

RichardD1970

Depends.

Normally very short, with sales person and on a set route.

You can ask for a longer one where you go where you want if you like.

I had one test drive (for a new car) a few years ago when the sales man just handed over the keys and said to be back in about half an hour.

WantToBeSE

RichardD1970 wrote: »

Depends.

Normally very short, with sales person and on a set route.

You can ask for a longer one where you go where you want if you like.

I had one test drive (for a new car) a few years ago when the sales man just handed over the keys and said to be back in about half an hour.

Wow, that's very trusting!

Strider590

They tend to direct you a long a standard route, one with a slow speed limit and maybe speed cameras, but you want to make sure you get chance to really push the car, it's no good buying it and then wishing you hadn't.

Also, if the brakes grab really harshly, don't think "wow the brakes are great", because over sensitive/assisted brakes does not mean they're any good.

RichardD1970

WantToBeSE wrote: »

Wow, that's very trusting!

I know. This was 2005 looking at the new shape Kia Rio, little independent dealer near Coventry.

Told him what we were after and he said he had one as a demonstrator and just handed the keys over, no paperwork, checks or anything. Didn't even take our names. :rotfl:

Brilliant car, had it for 7 years with no issues whatever. Only changed because we needed a 7 seater.

BeenThroughItAll

Strider590 wrote: »

They tend to direct you a long a standard route, one with a slow speed limit and maybe speed cameras, but you want to make sure you get chance to really push the car, it's no good buying it and then wishing you hadn't.

Also, if the brakes grab really harshly, don't think "wow the brakes are great", because over sensitive/assisted brakes does not mean they're any good.

Unless of course you are not the sort of driver who feels the need or desire to 'push' a car, or if the purpose for which you are purchasing does not require something which can be 'pushed'.

Tyler119

The dealership we went to just asked to keep our driving licenses and told us to be back within an hour. I guess they have insurance to cover things too.

A local car garage a couple of years back let a couple take a 80 grand car for a test drive and they never came back. They produced fake ID and apparently had driven from a posh part of the country. I guess they must have seemed extremely credible. The car was never recovered.

Strider590

BeenThroughItAll wrote: »

Unless of course you are not the sort of driver who feels the need or desire to 'push' a car, or if the purpose for which you are purchasing does not require something which can be 'pushed'.

Regardless, you do it anyway........ You don't want to find yourself overtaking something (even just a cyclist( and then realise the thing is completely gutless.

WantToBeSE

Thanks guys.

The dealership is just off a 50-limit road and i was hoping to be able to drive it for about 30 mins to test it on hills, dual carriageway, in the town as well as on the flat.

Yes, i will want to 'push' it a tiny bit to see how much power i can get from a 1.6 but obviously i wouldn't be irresponsible with it.

iammumtoone

Think it depends on the dealership.

When I was getting mine I test drove a few one, two dealerships came out with me and dictated the route. (only drove one each of their cars). The other let me go out on my own I was surprised they didn't even ask to see my driving license or any ID :eek:. I drove three of their cars and guess who I purchased from.

The first two dealerships didn't ask to see my driving license either, which again I found very odd.

This was a year ago and the first time I had a choice of cars.

Mobeer

It varies between 5 minutes around an industrial estate with the dealer in the passenger seat to an hour alone. Much depends on whether you seem like a serious buyer. In general, expect the dealer to come with you, perhaps for him to drive and talk for a while before you drive.

I recommend you describe the sort of journey you normally do and insist on taking a route that is similar.