We figure out how to pass the test drive in order to form the final opinion about the car and make a purchasing decision.
Choosing such an expensive thing as a car, based only on emotional and visual preferences, is the destiny of amateurs. The correct opinion about the practical qualities of the machine, its technical capabilities is formed only in practice. For such an assessment, cars came up with test drives.
Test drive – what is it?
A test drive is a service provided by a car dealership to a client for testing a car on the go. In other words, this is a free trial trip, giving the buyer the opportunity to evaluate the convenience of operating the vehicle, tuning and working efficiency of the brakes, the information content of the steering, the level of vibration, smoothness. The salon manager accompanies the potential buyer on the trip, and it lasts no more than forty minutes, but large and respectable car dealerships also practice test drives, the duration of which reaches a day. Such services are available to regular customers of salons with an excellent reputation and proven solvency.
A test drive is an extremely important procedure for a car enthusiast who is about to purchase a car in the passenger compartment. But, if you buy a car with it, then you should not neglect the test drive on this model at the car dealership – there will be something to compare with.
What is needed to pass the test drive?
Today, most modern car dealerships offer a test drive service and the conditions for passing are also similar. To do this, you need to observe some formalities:
In order for the test drive to take place at the right time, you need to submit an application for the desire to pass the test drive, specifying the date and presenting the necessary documents.
In some car dealerships, it is required to sign an agreement stating the number of the driver’s license, insurance conditions, the date of the test drive and the mileage of the car provided at the time the procedure begins. At the same time, it is worth asking the manager what responsibility lies with the client in the event of an accident. It is noteworthy that not all dealerships introduce clauses on liability in the event of an accident and damage to a car.
Some dealers make their own additions to the test drive rules, which you should ask the manager in advance about. Such a supplement is sometimes the age of a potential driver.
Preparing for a test drive
After settling all the formalities, the client is recommended to carry out a series of operations:
Before starting a test drive, a car dealership employee must show the potential buyer important features and nuances of the car. Pay special attention to safety features, adjusting the steering wheel, seats, mirrors, seat belts.
After that, the manager informs the client about the route chosen for the test drive.
Route for a test drive
Routes for test trips often represent a small circle with a beginning and an end near the doors of the selected car dealership.
Many dealers offer a route consistent with the traffic police, which cannot be too short and runs only in a straight line. This is necessary so that the potential buyer could evaluate the future acquisition of braking and acceleration, the functioning of the hand brake, turn signals, assess the ability of the car to maneuver.
When passing the route, you should not exceed the permitted speed limits, as well as completely avoid potholes and pits on the road. On the length of the route, the speed of passage must be agreed in advance with the manager. Large dealerships almost always go towards customers, satisfying their wishes.
Features cars for test drives
For test drives, car dealership employees exhibit car models with the most complete factory equipment and installed additional equipment. Cars with initial configuration on test drives, as a rule, are not found. This must be considered before ordering a model you like. In addition, if the selected car model is available in two body types, only one can be offered in the cabin for a test drive.
What you should pay attention to during test drives
Having occupied a driver’s seat, do not rush to start driving. First, you need to adjust the driver’s seat to a comfortable position, mirrors and a steering wheel so that nothing distracts during the test. Feel free to ask the accompanying manager about the features of the controls, as they may differ too much from those that you are used to.
During a test drive, you must correctly evaluate the following vehicle parameters:
The movement should begin at low speed, smoothly accelerating the car, while paying attention to the operation of the gas pedal. Under appropriate road conditions, having accelerated sharply, the quality of the dynamics of the car is checked.
For a car with a manual gearbox, you should smoothly accelerate the car to 80 km / h, paying attention to the clarity and ease of gear shifting, and the force with which the clutch pedal is pressed. For a car with an automatic transmission, it is worth doing a series of accelerations and decelerations, observing the logic of gear shifting, the absence of delays or shocks.
After the car accelerates, perform braking, feel how the brakes work, whether you need to make an effort or if you press lightly enough to stop the car. The main purpose of such a check is to answer the question – will it be possible to stay in the place where they were supposed to?
Pay attention to the car overcoming bumps on the road, how easy it is, whether the trajectory changes, whether there are any steering vibrations.
Gaining speed, listen to the noise that the car makes when driving, understand if it annoys you. At the end of the test drive, summarize your own impressions of the car, understand how they meet expectations, compare with other models and only then make the final choice.
However, test drives aren’t always what a buyer does. A car removal in Sydney, for example, won’t have the need to test drive a car – they buy old and junk cars that don’t need any more inspection. If you have an unwanted car to you want to get rid of, Pacific Cash For Cars is the perfect place. We are a scrap car and car removal service operating in the Sydney region. We will offer you cash for unwanted cars and close the deal quickly. Sell a wrecked car and get paid for it!
