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Buying a used car , Know your car , Safety and breakdowns · Updated 2026-10-18

Test drive checklist: what to check on the road

A test drive is your best chance to feel how the car really behaves. A short, polite spin around the block tells you little. A planned drive of at least twenty to thirty minutes on different roads can reveal noises, vibrations and faults that a seller may not mention. Use this checklist to make it count.

Before you start

• Ask to arrive when the engine is cold. Some faults show only at start-up and disappear when the engine is warm.
• Check that insurance covers your test drive, and that you have your driving licence with you. Rules differ by country, check with the competent authority.
• Walk around the car first and do the basic checks from the guide on how to inspect a used car.
• Adjust the seat and mirrors so you are comfortable and can see well.

Starting the engine

• Listen to the start. It should be quick and smooth, without long cranking.
• Watch the dashboard. All warning lights should come on briefly and go off. A light that never comes on, or one that stays on, deserves a question. See dashboard warning lights.
• Look at the exhaust. Thick coloured smoke is a warning sign that needs explaining.
• Listen for knocking, ticking or rattling at idle.

Driving in town

• Pull away gently and check that the clutch or the automatic gearbox behaves smoothly. For more on gearboxes, see manual vs automatic.
• Brake in a safe place. The car should stop in a straight line, without pulling to one side, vibrating or squealing. If you notice any of that, ask a workshop to look at the brakes. See brake basics and wear signs.
• Turn the steering fully both ways at low speed and listen for clunks or whining.
• Drive over a few bumps. Thuds and rattles can point to worn suspension parts.

Driving on faster roads

• On a straight road, the car should track straight when you loosen your grip slightly. Constant correcting suggests an alignment or suspension problem.
• Feel for vibration in the steering wheel or seat at higher speed, which may come from wheels, tyres or worn parts.
• Accelerate firmly where it is safe. Power should build smoothly, with no hesitation or jerks.
• Listen for wind noise, humming from the wheels and any changes in sound as speed rises.

Comfort and equipment

• Test the heating, ventilation and air conditioning in all modes.
• Try windows, mirrors, locks, lights, wipers, indicators and the horn.
• Check any assistance systems on the car, as described in ABS, ESP and assists.
• Look for damp smells or wet carpets, which could mean leaks.

Parking and reversing

Park the car and reverse it. Check visibility, any parking sensors or camera, and the handbrake. Engage and release the parking brake on a slight slope to see that it holds.

After the drive

• Park, leave the engine running for a moment and listen again.
• Look under the car for fresh drips.
• Check fluid levels with the engine off, as described in coolant and fluids check.
• Take notes while it is fresh. Memory fades quickly after you have seen several cars.

Be honest with yourself

If something feels wrong, trust the feeling. Do not accept "it always does that" without a clear explanation. If you like the car but have doubts, ask for an inspection in a workshop and use any faults found in your price negotiation.

Things that are easy to forget

• Check the spare wheel or repair kit and the tools that should come with the car.
• Try all the seats and the seat belts, not just the driver's.
• Test the car in different conditions: stop and go, an uphill slope, and a steady stretch where the engine is calm.
• Let the engine idle for a few minutes after the drive, and look at the temperature gauge.
• Ask someone to stand behind the car while you press the brake pedal, to confirm all brake lights work.

If you are not confident judging mechanical noises, record a short video with sound and let a mechanic listen to it. Better still, bring the mechanic along.

What to remember

• Drive long enough, on varied roads, with a cold engine at the start.
• Use your ears, hands and eyes, and turn the radio off.
• Test everything that moves, lights up or switches on.
• Write down your impressions straight afterwards.

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