Your car needs to be big enough to comfortably carry all the things and people you need it to.

You’ll probably have already had a good poke around the car before taking a test drive but you should continue to evaluate questions around its size, how comfortable you feel in it and how easy it is to use before you get out on the road and worry about how it drives. Then compare this to the model you’re thinking of buying because it’s likely that the top-spec demonstrator will show the model in a better light than the version you can afford. Find out exactly which engine and trim level the car you’re driving is, if any options are fitted and what it costs. If you’re at a main dealer buying a new car, there’s a very good chance that the demonstrator won’t be the exact specification of car that you intend to buy. Make the most of the time you have in the car to form your opinions and gather information.įirst things first, you need to be sure exactly which car it is you’re driving.Even 7-day test drives are not unheard of.

Some dealers offer special extended test drives of 24 or 48 hours from time to time.

Your test drive is most likely to be between 15 and 30 minutes but don’t be afraid to ask for longer if you feel you need it.

If it’s not right for you, just walk away. Show that you’ve done your research, have taken test drives elsewhere and are nearing a decision on a new car and they’ll feel that you’re a genuine buyer worthy of their attention.īy the same token though, remember that you’re under absolutely no obligation to buy any car after taking a test drive. If you make clear to a salesperson that you’re seriously considering buying the car in question, you’ll get a lot more out of the dealership’s staff amid other customers who may take test drives with no intention of buying anything at all. As exciting as it can be to get handed the keys to the object of your desires, it’s paramount not to get swept away for the next 30 minutes without casting a critical eye over the vehicle the way a savvy buyer should. Once the insurance is sorted you can get to the good bit: the test drive itself.

Take your driving licence with you when you go to take a test drive.

Understand the terms of the insurance cover before driving, it’s likely to only offer third party cover.

Large dealerships will usually cover you to drive their demonstrators, but at smaller dealers you may need to get your own insurance cover.

Don’t drive any car unless you’re 100 per cent sure you’re insured to do so.

Only drive the car if both you and the seller are happy with the insurance arrangements and if you’re happy that the car is safe and roadworthy.

Check with the seller that they’re happy for you to drive the car with this kind of insurance. You can also take out temporary insurance to cover you for a few hours. You should contact your insurer to double check that you are insured - not all insurance policies cover you on other cars, and in fact it's not as common as you might think. This goes for private sales as well - check that your insurance on your own car covers you, and confirm with the owner by showing them your certificate. It's still your responsibility to check that you are insured, though. Some might even call it the consummate all-rounder.Dealers may want to see your licence before letting you take a test drive, but it's usually no trouble at all and they will have people test driving cars all the time. It’s an incredibly satisfying car to live with over three months and 2,642 miles I’ve not once wished for more power or performance, better handling or greater high-speed refinement. I managed more EV miles per tank in the Mercedes GLA 250 e I reviewed last year, too.Īnd yet I totally understand why the 330e is such a huge hit for BMW, and why it topped the plug-in hybrid sales charts in 2021. The latest Lexus PHEVs realise the benefits of electric running more of the time, and feel more accomplished as a result. It feels like it’s designed to prioritise electricity for as long as the battery is charged, but let it run flat and it’ll operate more like a petrol car. I love how they can creep around town without using the engine, and I’ll admit that long journeys – especially late at night – have been much less stressful for not having to rely on the UK’s often patchy electric-car charging infrastructure.īut the BMW’s system isn’t the most talented I’ve tried.

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