How to test drive a car: Tips and advice

Service history - Ask the seller to show you the car’s service history. A full service history will give you the assurance that the car has been regularly serviced, in line with the manufacturer’s guidelines.

It is not uncommon for part (or all) of the service history to be misplaced, particularly with older used vehicles. However, don’t give up – you may be able to turn detective and piece together the car’s missing service history.

V5C logbook and MOT certificate - Ask the seller to show you the vehicle’s V5C logbook. This document contains key information about the vehicle and was issued by the DVLA when it was registered.

When transferring ownership of the vehicle, the seller should detach the ‘new keeper slip’ in this document to give to the new owner, who should complete and send it to the DVLA in order to register the vehicle in their name.

Although there are no laws against selling a car without a V5C logbook, the DVLA advises against buying one. When the logbook is missing, it is more difficult to determine whether a vehicle has been stolen, has an insurance write-off category – or whether the seller is legally entitled to sell it.

You can check the vehicle’s MOT status by entering its registration number into our free MOT check tool. This tool will show you the outcomes of any previous MOT tests, including any faults and advisories highlighted.

Check for rust - Severe rust is a sign of corroded metal and if present may weaken the car’s structural integrity.

Although a small amount of rust does not present a significant issue, anything more than light pitting or surface-level rust can be considered too much rust. Bear in mind that any level of rust will also affect a car’s value.

You should check for rust around the wheel arches, sill edges and the underside of the vehicle. Pay close attention to any plastic coverings on the arches and sills, which may conceal developing rust. If there is corrosion or rust in certain prescribed areas, this may also cause the vehicle to fail its next MOT test, so beware!

Check out the bodywork - Take a good look around the bodywork, as any dents and scratches will reduce the vehicle’s value. More severe damage to the bodywork may hint at structural damage, which could also mean the vehicle is unsafe to drive.

Check the exhaust pipe - The exhaust pipe should be firm and supported. Ask the seller if you can observe the exhaust emissions. Diesel cars will often emit black smoke. In colder weather, you may observe what appears to be white smoke (but is actually steam). However, if you see blue smoke, this could hint at oil-burning issues.

Test all lights and indictors - Do they all work correctly?

Check the tyres - Check the tyres are above the minimum legal tyre tread depth limit of 1.6mm. If they are below 3mm, we would recommend getting them replaced soon, if you decide to purchase the vehicle.

Inspect the seatbelts - If you drive or travel in a car without working seatbelts, you could be liable to pay a seatbelt fine. Statistics show that seatbelts save lives, so check that all seatbelts are present and work exactly as they should.

Check out the mileage - Mileage affects cars’ value, so pay attention to the number on the odometer and whether the vehicle has a good mileage for a used car of its age.

However, bear in mind that if there is a wrong mileage on the MOT certificate – or the vehicle has more wear and tear than you would expect for its claimed mileage, this may indicate odometer tampering has occurred.

Test the electrics - Make sure that features such as the electric windows, heaters, air-conditioning and climate control are all working correctly.

Check under the bonnet - Check that the engine oil has been filled to the correct level and look for any signs of oil leakage or build-up. Pull the dipstick to verify the condition of the oil. If it is golden in colour rather than black, this is a positive sign, as it indicates the vehicle has recently been serviced.

Watch out for mustard-coloured buildup (particularly inside the oil filler cap), as this may suggest head gasket problems. (Floating particles in the water expansion tank can also be an early indicator of head gasket failure.)

Bring a friend

If you don’t have a good working knowledge of cars but have a friend or family member who happens to be a mechanic (or at least a petrolhead), consider inviting them along to support you. They may be able to help you by asking the right questions about the car’s features and specifications so that you can decide whether it’s right for you.

Bring your family

Consider bringing your spouse/partner or children along for the test drive if they will be travelling with you on a regular basis. It’s better to hear any qualms about the car now rather than a month after you’ve bought it!

Take photos

Take photos of the car from various angles (including the interior). Feel free to take a selfie at the wheel if it helps you to visualise whether the car is right for you. Please note that photographs should not be taken while operating a vehicle. The car must be stationary and parked in a safe location.

If you are viewing a second-hand car, you can also photograph any damaged areas. Revisiting these photos after the test drive can ultimately help you make an informed decision.

Pre-plan your route

Discuss the test route with the seller or salesperson prior to the test drive. Make sure that it covers a variety of roads, surfaces and speed limits.

Ideally, the test route should cover all the types of roads you regularly travel on, as this will allow you to decide whether the car’s overall handling and performance is to your liking.

Test the brakes

Before setting off, ask the seller or salesperson if you can incorporate a planned emergency stop into the test drive. They should honour your request, as this can provide you with the assurance that the vehicle handles well in an emergency stop situation.

Whilst driving, note how the vehicle responds to both soft and forceful braking; it should be smooth in both cases. Brakes that are sluggish or uncomfortably harsh should raise concerns.

Is the ride comfortable?

Different types of cars will handle differently. After experiencing how a car handles over a variety of road conditions, you can assess whether the ride is comfortable enough for everyday driving. For those unfamiliar, here is a quick explainer of the different types of riding experience cars may offer:

• Soft suspension: Feels ‘pillowy’ when navigating holes and ruts but allows the vehicle body to move up and down after hitting large bumps. The best vehicles with this type of suspension feel controlled when encountering bumps and recover stability quickly.
• ‘Sporty’ ride: Sportier models typically have a firmer ride, trading off some comfort for superior handling and performance. Although sporty handling has its benefits, make sure the ride comfort is up to par if you’re planning to make long trips on a regular basis.
• ‘Busy’ ride: Riding in a car with a ‘busy’ ride can feel jittery, as the body may move from side to side or up and down as you travel. This does not usually translate to a comfortable riding experience.

Test the steering and handling

Ideally, steering should be easy, but you should also remain in control. It should not be so fast that it feels jittery – and not so slow that every maneuverer requires excessive turning of the steering wheel.

When assessing the handling, pay attention to how the car responds to quick turns. The ability to turn the vehicle away quickly is crucial for accident prevention.

Observe whether the car tracks well or whether it needs small steering corrections to maintain a straight course.

Drive on an uphill road at some point if you can, to see how the car handles on an incline. See how easy it is to park on a slope – and assess how well the car manages a hill start.

Reverse, park and check visibility

Take the opportunity to reverse and park the vehicle during the test drive. Try parking in a public car park and parallel parking on a busy residential street. Note how easy the vehicle is to reverse and park – and the degree of visibility the cabin provides. If the car features parking sensors and cameras, you should also assess how intuitive these systems are.

Check the noise levels

When test driving a car, you should also assess whether the level of noise in the cabin is acceptable to you. Switch off the radio and close all the windows so you can clearly hear the engine. Try accelerating to the national speed limit on a motorway and assess how the engine sounds.

If you can barely tolerate the current level of engine noise, remember that engine performance will inevitably deteriorate as the vehicle ages. Unfortunately, this also means that the engine will get louder. So, whilst the hum of the engine might be a mild annoyance right now, it could become intolerable a few years down the road.

Other noise contributors include side mirrors and roof rails (which are both sources of wind noise). Some tyres are also louder than others; high-performance and off-road tyres are usually noisier than standard alternatives.

Take a day to think it over

Even if at the end of the test drive you’re gravitating towards buying the car, we would still recommend taking another day to mull it over before making a final decision.

The salesperson will no doubt have highlighted the various benefits that this model offers throughout the drive, but now, you must also consider any drawbacks. Is the car economical? Is it practical for day-to-day use? Is there enough room for the kids and the family dog?

Don't forget to consult any friends and family members who will travel with you on a regular basis. Remember that even though you have taken a test drive, you are under no obligation to buy the car if you don’t feel it suits your needs.