How to Test Drive When Buying a Used Car

How to take a test drive at a car dealership

Perhaps one of the most important factors influencing the purchase of a car can be a test drive. about how to take a test drive at a car dealership .

A test drive is a test drive. Any self-respecting car dealership offers potential buyers a test drive in the model they are interested in.

How do test drives take place at car dealerships?

To take a test drive of the model you are interested in, it is better to sign up in advance. To do this, it is better to call the car dealership and discuss the exact date and time of the trip.

Where does the test drive take place?

In most cases, the test drive takes place on ordinary city streets.

Each car dealership coordinates the test drive route with the traffic police, so check with the manager which route you will take. In any case, the manager will be with you in the test car, if anything he will tell you where to turn, etc.

In the case of SUVs, the route may include special tracks to test the off-road potential of the model. The largest car dealerships even have their own sites and off-road parks for such test drives.

The test drive usually takes no more than half an hour.

Myths about test drive

test drive at a car dealership is paid
To pass a test drive you need a lot of experience
You can only take a test drive when purchasing a car.

In fact, the test drive is always free. As for the second, it is usually enough to have 1 year of driving experience to be allowed for a test drive.

Of course, you don't have to buy a car to take a test drive. You can drive around showrooms, test different models - no one will force you to buy them.

A little more about the test drive

Don't be afraid to take a test drive before purchasing the car you're interested in. How can you fully judge a car if you haven’t even driven it?

However, you shouldn’t completely trust your impressions after the trip either. In 99% of cases, cars are provided with maximum configuration for a test drive. If you are planning to buy a basic configuration, it may be very different from the one you rode.

During the test drive, you should not violate traffic rules - you left copies of your license and passport at the car dealership, the travel time is specified in the test drive agreement. If you later receive a fine during the period of time you were driving, you will be required to pay it.

And one more thing - a test drive, this is not a traffic police exam. Drive the car the way you drive it every day to get a feel for how it behaves on the road.

What is a test drive?

A test drive is a test drive during which the driver can check the operation of the car. This service is provided to a motorist if he plans to buy a car.

In most cases the service is free.

There are two test drive options:

Short. In this case, the test ride is carried out within the framework of a pre-agreed route. The trip is supervised by an instructor, who will be in the car next to the driver during the ride. The duration of the ride usually does not exceed 30-40 minutes.
Long. In this scenario, the car is provided for temporary use to the driver for several days. The driver drives without an instructor, and he determines the route and format of the ride independently. Some restrictions may apply (for example, you cannot leave the city).

Answers (3)

Taking a free test drive or test drive at a car dealership is very easy and simple, but for this it is important to meet a couple of conditions:

1) you must be over 18 years old and, of course, you must have a driver’s license of the appropriate category, for example B or C - depending on what car you want to drive

2) Usually, official dealers of the manufacturer have the opportunity to conduct free test drives. Which have test cars in their fleet. It is not always possible to pass the test at gray dealers.

Subject to these conditions, you can take a test drive in the following ways.

1) Call your nearest dealer and make an appointment by phone at a time convenient for you. Manager or administrator - must sign you up. You can easily find out the address and telephone number of the salon on the official website of a particular manufacturer.

2) Instead of calling, you can come to the dealer’s showroom without an appointment, if the managers are free and test cars are available, ask if you can take a test drive. Usually, within a few minutes, after signing special documents, you can already get behind the wheel of a car.

Here are basically two easy and simple ways to sign up for a test drive. Yes, and remember, all this should be free. After all, in essence, by giving this opportunity to people, the salon advertises its product well, after which you or someone else can easily buy the model.

After recording, the manager will definitely ask you to sign the necessary papers stating your responsibility for the safety of the property, that is, the car. After all, the salon is taking a risk by putting its car in your hands. For example, you can steal it, or break it on purpose - there are all sorts of people. Of course, the car is insured in all possible ways, but the interior still insures itself. In addition, by signing the papers, you are included in the statistics - who took a test drive of this particular car. Next, your manager may call you and ask whether you have decided to buy or not)

How long can a test drive last?

Much depends on you, but in general, the dealer has an average time scheduled for a test drive, usually no more than 20 minutes. But if the manager sees that you are really interested, and you are also testing the car for different capabilities, then the test can last an hour or more.

Preparation of documents for a test drive

Typically, before a test drive, the driver must sign a special test drive agreement with the car dealership. The agreement is filled out based on the passport and the buyer. Before signing the agreement, the driver also inspects the car. The agreements include the following information:

Driver information (name, driver's license number).
The name of the car dealership and the name of the instructor.
Brief description of the machine.
Proposed route.
Riding format.

When drawing up a contract, be sure to pay attention to whether it contains information about the driver’s liability in the event of an accident. If this clause is not present, demand that it be included in the text of the contract.

How is a test drive carried out at car dealerships?

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The whole truth about test driving a car at a car dealership

Quite often in advertisements the phrase is heard: “Take a test drive of the car at an official dealer” or “Only until December 32, everyone who passes the test drive will receive a discount when buying a car!”
Car dealerships do not skimp on invitations, just to lure the client into the experienced clutches of managers. But is everything so rosy? How realistic is a car test drive? Is it really possible for anyone with a driver's license to take the car for a spin? This is interesting: Kia Seed 2018 test drive video

Theoretically, every potential buyer with a category B driver's license (in a sober state) can get behind the wheel of a “test drive” model. In this case, it is enough to make an appointment by phone and arrive at the dealership on time. All costs for gasoline, insurance, and compensation for damages in the event of a breakdown are borne by the official dealer. However, in life everything happens differently.

The administrator will definitely evaluate the client’s appearance, his potential solvency, as well as his ardent desire to purchase just such a car in the future. Some dealers even require money for a test drive.

As a rule, car dealerships do not actively advertise or advertise the fact that you can take a test drive from them. This is done in federal advertising of manufacturing plants and representative offices of a particular brand with the link: “Contact official dealers.” Dealers themselves often have a test drive - this is the last, powerful argument for a potential client in favor of a purchase. The buyer, once behind the wheel of the desired car, will not want to give it up.

Provincial dealers have the sin of being too picky about a client’s unpresentable appearance and may even refuse to provide a car for a test drive. For dealers, the visitor's clothing style and even the manner of speaking can be of significant importance. And the car will be given for a ride to someone who looks respectable and expensive. This is explained by the fact that regional dealers often allow new sales cars (in the absence of “test ones”), which are often not insured, to be driven around, and after the trip they are put back on display. And trusting an uninsured car even to your employees is somewhat dangerous. Remember: you shouldn't test drive a car that doesn't have insurance, even if you've almost bought it. Traveling to the nearest gas station can cost a fortune in the event of a serious accident.

Naturally, it is unlikely that if you walk into a car dealership from the street and point your finger at the first car, you will immediately get it to test drive. The manager is so trained that to begin with, he will draw up a portrait of you, ask your real intentions and assess the likelihood of a purchase. If you are not familiar with this model, in principle have no intention of ever buying it, but just want to test it on the road, do not be surprised when you are gently sent on your way. Therefore, if you are determined to “get to know” the car better, make it clear to the manager that you are very interested in the purchase, ask a lot of questions, and express your willingness to make an advance payment.

Test driving SUVs is a special topic. Every future owner of this car wants to test it in real off-road conditions. Only some dealers have special areas for test drives directly next to the car dealership. Only a few people allow their clients to test a jeep in the field; usually these are car dealerships with good support from the manufacturer. But official dealers often conduct on-site weekend test drives, which are quite accessible to everyone who is curious. And multi-brand showrooms even offer test promotions for several cars at once in one place.

Very rarely and exclusively VIP clients are given an exclusive opportunity: a long test drive, that is, the car is transferred to the client’s use for a period of 3-7 days. Of course, this offer is only for regular customers of the car dealership who choose expensive luxury models.

In most car dealerships, test cars are either not very actively ordered by management, or are provided by the manufacturer in insufficient quantities. If the car dealership is small, then the “test” car is not used at all for its intended purpose: it is given to accountants and employees to resolve work issues, it is handed over to friends of the management, and the management itself uses it exclusively for personal purposes. A mandatory test drive is not even announced, and the car itself exists as a “break-in” vehicle only on paper.

Remember, test driving a car is a free service. All major manufacturers oblige their official dealers to have and provide customers with the entire test line of models. In case of refusal to test drive, lack of the desired car in the showroom or other injustices against the client, immediately complain to the representative office by calling the hotline or through the official website.

Editorial office of Vashashina.ru Publication date: 07/14/2011

So... test drive

It's time to find out how test drives go at car dealerships. Before you get behind the wheel of the chosen car, the dealer will definitely ask you to sign a contract (agreement) for a test drive.
Under no circumstances sign a document without reading it completely. Be sure to carefully read the rights and obligations of the parties, as well as responsibilities.

If the contract states that the client is responsible for the safety of the car, then run away from this dealership.

So, the agreement has been signed, it's time to try the car. Let's take a look at how a test drive is carried out.

First, the manager will invite you to go to the car. You can leave the parking lot in different ways:

If you come for a test drive with a companion, keep in mind that he will sit in the back seat. Because the manager will sit next to you.

Once behind the wheel of a car, do not rush to move away. First, adjust the seat for yourself, adjust the rear-view mirrors, and the position of the steering wheel.

Be sure to take a closer look at the finish, feel the dimensions of the car, check the sound quality in the audio system, the operation of the climate system: air conditioning, climate control, heating, heating.

Pay attention to how hard the doors open and close, how the hood and trunk behave, etc.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask the manager.

It is important to adhere to certain rules while driving during a test drive:

After the test drive, the dealer will ask you to fill out a questionnaire in which you will have to evaluate the model on several characteristics. This is necessary for the auto center to display statistics on cars.

Video: How to take a car for a test drive?

Reasons for refusing a client a test drive

In general, anyone who has a license and a driver’s license of category “B” can take a car for a “test”. But in practice, everything does not always go so smoothly, and there are situations when the dealer refuses the client.

There may be several reasons, for example:

Test drive conditions at different car dealerships may vary. To get the service with maximum benefit and comfort, call several salons, find out about their conditions and features of a test drive, and then decide which center is best for you to go to for a test drive.

Rules for a test drive at a dealer

Today, almost car dealers offer the test drive service to their clients, and any self-respecting dealership has a whole fleet of cars designed specifically for free test drives. Many car enthusiasts know that they have the right to take a test drive, but have little idea what it should be like. Is it possible to be content with a ride around the interior courtyard or should you demand a full ride in city traffic? Is there a dress code for taking a test drive and who will be responsible for an accident?

It's simple! As a rule, information about the opportunity to take a test drive is reflected on the websites of car dealerships. Sometimes a potential buyer needs to schedule a test drive in advance. You can also try at random - just go into the showroom and find out if the cars you are interested in are available. Pre-registration for a test drive often happens only when new models arrive - in this case, the salon forms a queue of people who want to ride it. Dealers recommend choosing days and times that are freer in terms of traffic for a test drive.

For example, it is better not to go for a test drive in the morning or evening on weekdays due to the risk of getting stuck in traffic. In this case, you won’t be able to find out anything about the dynamics of the car. The best option is during the day on weekdays or on weekends. The duration of the test drive, as a rule, is not limited and depends on the will of the salon and the mood of the manager who will go along with the driver. But, often, when it comes to purchasing a luxury car, the potential buyer is allowed more. He may even be given a car for a personal test drive without the accompaniment of a manager.

Naturally, you should have a valid driver's license with you, have at least two years of driving experience and be in a sober state. In addition, according to the rules, you must provide a passport to take a test drive. The driver must be 21 years of age at the time of the test drive.

The first question that worries almost every potential buyer is: what will happen to me if I scratch or otherwise damage the car during a test drive? The answer inspires optimism - nothing!

This is interesting: Test drive Renault Captur 1.6 manual

The fact is that dealers are allowed to offer only fully insured cars for test drives, and against any damage, including natural disasters. So you shouldn’t be too afraid, although driving without looking back is also not recommended. The car is insured, but the driver who violated the traffic rules will be held accountable for his violations to the fullest extent.

If suddenly in the salon before the test drive they offer to sign a document in which the driver undertakes to financially compensate for all possible damages, then this should not be done. Also, you should not agree to a test drive in which the salon manager will be driving - such “offers” also have a place.

In the vast majority of cases, the dealer has a test drive route agreed with the traffic police, which the car owner will follow. The route should not be too short and should run in a straight line all the time. The driver has every right to check the future car for acceleration and braking, handbrake operation, turns, maneuverability, etc. It hardly makes sense to pass traffic police at a speed of 80 km/h, but you shouldn’t completely shy away from potholes and bumps.

Test drives can be short and daily. In the first case, a potential buyer goes out with a manager and rides for an average of 10 to 40 minutes. In the second, the car is provided to the car owner for a period of one day - more than enough to evaluate all its driving qualities.

If absolutely everyone is allowed for short test drives, then a daily test drive is available, as a rule, only to regular customers of the salon who have proven their loyalty and high purchasing power. Executive class cars are often given out for daily test drives.

Just a few years ago, only people who met a certain dress code could get into an expensive foreign car for a test drive. Today, only a teenager or a chronic alcoholic will not be allowed to drive. The owners of car dealerships are convinced that wealthy people in Russia do not always flaunt expensive suits. As an anecdote, sales managers retell stories about customers in shorts and flip-flops, about old men with country backpacks, who immediately after a test drive took out wads of cash and paid for the luxury SUV they liked.

The test drive mode does not relieve the driver of the risk of running into a fine in case of violation of the Traffic Rules. Among other popular stories that are told in salons, there are many in which drivers’ licenses were taken away for violating traffic rules. And in one case, the driver of the test car even started a race with the traffic police and only thanks to the persistent demands of the manager did he stop. It turned out that he had a fake license, and the “racer” was taken to the police station straight from the test drive.

A test drive allows a potential buyer to evaluate the advantages or disadvantages of their future car. Dealers may make their own additions to the rules of this procedure, so it makes sense to find out about them in advance. In general, the larger the company, the more often it meets customers halfway. And if some basic points of the rules, such as age or the presence of a driver’s license, cannot be changed, then, as a rule, the duration of the test drive, speed or route of the trip can be agreed upon with the manager.

Features of cars for test drive

Car dealerships usually display special car models for a test drive. Let's find out what this actually means:

The main feature of test drive cars is that they are equipped with additional components and equipment. This helps to improve some technical characteristics of the car (speed, braking quality, noise level, and so on).
Models for sale are usually not equipped with additional equipment, so in terms of technical parameters they may be inferior to their improved test models.
Therefore, before conducting a test drive, it is also recommended to find out from the car dealership what additional elements were installed on the test car and what their functions are. This will help you understand how the test machine will differ from the purchased model.

Organizational aspects

Before taking a test drive, be sure to check with the manager the following points:

• Documents for registration. Usually the client is asked to provide a driver's license and passport. • Route length. Car dealers with a high reputation will never offer you a tour of the car dealership. A full test drive should include a trip of at least 20 minutes. • Who is participating in the trip from the dealer. Often, not only the sales manager, but also a trainee or even a security guard takes part in a test drive. If you plan to ride with the whole family, this can make things difficult. • Optimal time. If the salon is located near major highways, a test drive in the evening will only result in waiting in traffic jams, and not getting to know the car’s capabilities. • Available modifications. If you are interested in buying a car with an automatic transmission, you should not agree to travel in a car with a manual transmission, and the maximum configuration may differ greatly from the starting one, both in the number of options and in feel.

Cost of test drive service

The cost of the service is determined by the car dealership on an individual basis. In most cases the price is as follows:

A short test drive within a pre-agreed route is free of charge. A small fee is paid for additional driving (20-50 rubles for each additional kilometer).
A long test drive is a paid service, the standard tariff is 1-2 thousand rubles per day. The interior does not limit the driver's mileage, but it does set restrictions on the driving region.