Test drive checklist
A test drive is your best chance to find out if you will like living with a car and whether anything is wrong with it. Use this checklist on your phone to check starting, steering, braking, ride, noise and features, then mark anything that worries you.
0 of 19 checked, 0 concerns
Before you pull away
You can get comfortable: seat, wheel and mirrors adjust well
You can see well in every direction, including over your shoulder
The controls and screen are easy to reach and understand
Starting and idling
It starts without hesitation and idles smoothly
No knocking, ticking or squealing at idle
Driving
It accelerates smoothly with no hesitation or jerking
The gears change smoothly, with no clunks, slipping or long pauses
It tracks straight with your hands lightly on the wheel and the wheel is centred
Do this on a flat, quiet road.
The steering is smooth with no grinding or clunking when you turn fully
Braking
A firm stop is straight, with no pulling to one side
Only do this when no one is behind you.
The pedal feels firm, with no pulsing, grinding or squealing
Ride and noise
Over bumps it feels controlled, with no clunks or rattles
At highway speed there is no vibration through the wheel or seat
Wind and road noise are acceptable to you
Parking and features
It is easy to park, and the camera and sensors work
Your phone connects through Bluetooth or CarPlay or Android Auto
The air conditioning and heater work, including heated seats if fitted
After the drive
Park and check underneath for fresh drips, and for any smoke or burning smell
No warning lights came on during the drive
Your concerns
Nothing marked as a concern yet. Anything you mark appears here.
Keep going with Uobo
Uobo is your personal car agent. Text it what you need and it does the research and the checks, asks dealerships about availability, condition and price for you, and helps you decide. This is the text you would send:
On a computer? Text (289) 819-4586 from your phone and paste what you copied. Standard message rates apply. Reply STOP any time to stop.
How it works
Work through the sections in order, from before you pull away to after you park. Tap Looks fine or Concern for each item. Your marks are saved on this device, so you will not lose your place if the screen locks.
Where an item mentions braking or a firm stop, only do it somewhere safe with nobody behind you. Take the car on roads you know, including a stretch of highway and some bumps.
Anything you mark as a concern is gathered into a list at the end, so you can ask the seller about it or have a mechanic look.
What this does not cover
- A test drive of 15 minutes will not show every fault. For a car you are serious about, add a pre-purchase inspection.
- It does not cover the car's history or paperwork. The used car inspection checklist does.
- Ask the owner or dealer before you drive, and make sure you are insured to drive the car.
Common questions
How long should a test drive be?
Long enough to cover town streets, a highway stretch, some bumps and a place to park. For a car you plan to buy, ask for more than a quick loop. Twenty to thirty minutes is reasonable.
What should I listen for on a test drive?
Knocking or ticking from the engine, grinding or squealing when you brake, clunks over bumps, humming or whining that changes with speed, and wind noise at highway speed.
What should I feel for?
Smooth acceleration and gear changes, a car that goes straight with your hands lightly on the wheel, a firm brake pedal with no pulsing, and no vibration in the wheel or seat at speed.
Should I test drive with the radio off?
Yes, at least for part of the drive. Turn it off so you can hear the car, then test the audio, phone connection and climate controls separately.
Can I test drive more than one car?
You should. Driving two or three similar cars back to back is the easiest way to tell what is normal for the model and what is a problem with one car.