One of the most important steps when shopping for a new car is taking it for a test drive. This is the only sure way to find out if the car you are buying is the perfect match for you. A car may look good when in the showroom or on a website but this may not necessarily mean it will work the way you want it to.
Before you take a test drive, let the sales representative give you a walkthrough of the entire list of car features and capabilities. This is to prevent you from damaging the car and having to pay for it or causing an accident. Take note of everything and ask questions.
Here are some of the things you should do before you start your test drive.
Step into the car
Entering the vehicle will help you figure out the level of ease or difficulty when boarding the car. Do you bump your head while going in or out of the car? Is it necessary for you to tactically manoeuvre your body so as to climb into the car? If yes, ask yourself if you would be comfortable doing so every single time you need to drive your car. If not, it may be a sign that you need a different car.
Try to adjust the seat
When you are in the car, take note of the seat adjustment capabilities. Take your time and ensure you find the most suitable seat position. Ask yourself these questions: When you adjust the seat, do you have adequate headroom? Does your back? Can you see the steering wheel? Do you feel comfortable when you hold the steering wheel and seat back? If the answers are no, then the car is not a good fit for you.
Adjust the mirrors
Try and adjust the side mirrors to find out how easy they are to adjust. Confirm if there are any blind spots and how big they are. If they are large blind spots, find out if the car comes with a blind spot detection system. If not it may pose a risk when driving and is therefore not a very good car to buy.
Take note of the car controls locations
Look around the car and familiarise yourself with everything. Know where the turn signals, windshield wipers and headlight control are located before you start driving. Remember that every car has a different dashboard layout. Ensure you are comfortable handling the car and you can live with it.
Conclusion
Before you test drive a car, talk to your sales representative to give you the complete run-through of the car. Inspect the car and test out the seat and mirrors adjustment capabilities and take note of the controls. When you prepare well for a test drive, you make better-informed decisions when buying a car. Additionally, you will have an easier time when driving your car.