Buying a new car? How to test-drive like an expert

A building where every member of staff is actively trying to sell you something is always a bit stressful. It’s like walking through a crowded market, or bargaining with people on Gumtree – except, in the case of a car dealership, you’re potentially dropping £50,000 on a new BMW, not £5 on a new beanie hat.

According to research by leasing provider SOGO Mobility, almost a third of drivers would be willing to skip a test drive when buying or leasing a new vehicle. And a quarter of people have purchased a car online without taking it for a test-drive first.

I think this is crazy, frankly. For most people, a car is the second-most expensive thing you buy after your house – and you’d never dream of moving into a two-bed semi that you’d never even set foot in before. Even if you’re buying online (and you absolutely should, in order to get the best deal), test-driving a car is super-useful.

I’ve been a motoring journalist for over a decade and helped loads of people choose the right car for them – pushy salesperson be damned. Here are some top tips to make sure your car dealership experience is useful, informative, and most importantly doesn’t end with you signing a load of paperwork for a car you’re not 100% sure about.

Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.

How to test-drive a new car

Know what you’re after

Car dealers love people who don’t really know what they want, because they’re malleable and can be persuaded one way or the other depending on what stock they want to shift. Do your research in advance and go to the dealer with the express intention of checking out one or two cars particularly.

Book your visit – and book the right car

Don’t just saunter along on a free afternoon – phone up and arrange a time, that way things will (in theory) be ready for your arrival. And make sure the dealer has the engine, gearbox and ideally trim level of the car you’re considering. A top-spec demonstrator can feel very different from the version you actually buy. Don’t be afraid to ask if a dealer in a neighbouring town has what you want if your local dealer doesn’t.

Bring things you normally carry

Pushchairs, child seats, golf clubs, mobility aids, big work bags etc. Don’t necessarily trust quoted boot capacities. If you have something big that always travels with you, make sure it fits and that you can load it easily. This extends to passengers, too – lanky teens? Make sure they have enough room in the back seats!

Ask for a solo drive

It’s hard to relax fully when a car sales executive is sat next to you, nattering away. Ask if you can take a proper – ideally at least 30 minutes – test drive by yourself. Some dealers may refuse, but it’s still worth asking.

Get properly comfortable before setting off

Adjust the seat, wheel and mirrors properly, making sure that you’re in a natural, comfortable driving position without any part of you feeling cramped.

Have a proper play with the interface

Think of the functions you use every day – the safety equipment, the phone pairing, the radio. Try pairing up your phone, and find the heating controls, demister, drive modes and common infotainment functions. You’ll soon find out if there are any pinch points that are likely to irritate you.

Check visibility and manoeuvrability

Can you see out? Can you park it? Two quality-of-life assessments that will really impact your experience of the car.

Drive on representative roads

If you can, plan a test route in advance that takes in urban driving, motorways and A-roads. Bonus if you can try out some rough, potholed roads (not easy in the UK, I know) to really test out comfort. Don’t let the salesperson dictate a route that tells you nothing.

Test the performance you actually use

Yes, it’s fun to test 0-62mph sprints, but it’s much more important to focus on the sort of acceleration you’re likely to do – 50-70mph for overtaking, 40-60mph for merging on a sliproad, that sort of thing. If you do lots of town driving, make sure the car isn’t too much of a pain to stop or set off smoothly.

Experiment with the tech

Most new cars have an array of driving assistance and safety tech – use it, especially things like the cruise control or regenerative braking that you’re likely to interact with every day.

Check the spec

Compare the actual specification of the trim you’re interested in – figuring out which features are options, or bundled into expensive packs. This can be a time to bring the salesperson in, as they may have a great offer on a flashier or better-equipped model for the same money as the more Spartan versions.

Now’s also the time to inspect the colour and interior trim you actually want to buy – images online or in the configurator can be misleading, and some combos look different in reality. Sometimes models in the same brand share paint or trim colours, so you can check this on a different car if necessary.

Don’t buy while excited

Don’t let the salesperson pressure you into signing anything there and then. No matter what they say about one-time-only deals, limited availability or the reams of other people interested in that car, you can go away and think about it. Take a written quote away with you and when you’re home and settled, you can compare the terms of your deal with other cars you’ve driven. Remember, a lower monthly payment doesn’t necessarily mean a cheaper car once you factor in the deposit, excess mileage fees, balloon payment, interest…

You don’t have to buy from the dealer you visited

You might get a great price from your local dealer – but chances are there are bigger savings to be found elsewhere. Check out the Carwow price for the model you’re buying and compare it to the offer the dealer’s given you. Don’t feel a sense of duty to purchase your car from a specific dealer – it won’t earn you any brownie points.

Car change? Carwow!

Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.

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