So, the car looks great, you can picture yourself in it .. and
now, the most important part - it is time for a test drive.
Don’t dismiss the test drive as just part of the sales process,
taking a test drive is the most important part of buying a car.
Yet so many people dismiss it as formality!
And if you don’t believe me, I (embarrassingly!) write from
experience! The car that I’d lusted over, that ‘dream’ car that
I’d so avidly researched, I sat in it in the car dealers, fell
in love and signed up on the dotted line (without taking a test
drive – I didn’t feel I needed to)!
Sadly, my ‘dream’ car, that I used for a 60 mile round trip
twice a day for the next three years had a blind spot! The day I
part exchanged that car, I test drove every possible replacement
for my ‘dream-turned-nightmare’ car!
So, how do you get the most from your test drive?
First of, if you are refused a drive, don’t buy the car. Do you
want to be stuck with a car that you are not comfortable in; one
where the seat is too low and gives you backache? One that has a
blind spot?!
The ideal road test should ideally be at least five miles to
give you a chance to experience different speeds and road types
and for the mechanics to warm up properly.
What to check When test driving from a car dealership, most do
have their own insurance – but do double check!
If buying privately, check on your own policy that you are
insured and check that the car you are looking to buy has an MOT
and up-to-date road tax.
Check the condition of the car – look for any dinks, dents,
scratches. Look at the condition of the tyres and look under the
bonnet. (It is always best - wherever you are buying a car from
– to have someone who knows a bit about them to come with you
and give you a second opinion).
First of all, watch the current owner drive the car – this will
give you a feel for how the car is treated. For example, someone
who ‘rides’ the clutch means that if you do buy the car, you may
have to fork out for a new clutch soon.
Listen for unusual noises and knocking and then, it’s your turn!
When driving …. • Gears - a very high biting point suggests a
worn clutch • Check the steering – for a slack response and that
the wheel doesn’t ‘kick’ in your hands. • For car with power
steering, gently turn the steering from lock to lock and listen
to see if the pump audibly complains • When braking, the car
should pull up in a straight line and without any judders •
Listen for mechanical noises, any clunks, unusual sounds that
you may not have picked up when you were a passenger. eg. The
engine shouldn’t sound rough • Look around the interior – look
for dirty or torn seats; cracked speaker covers, check the boot
etc
You want the car…what next?
You’ve test driven the car, you want it … so how do you make
sure you get a bargain?
How much you can save by negotiating on a car varies and,
ultimately, depends on how much the seller is willing to accept
for it at that moment in time.
Being a cash buyer always gives you the edge on a sale and if
you appear confident and knowledgeable, this will help your case!
You’ve got a great deal on a great car!
The next step is to get a good deal on your insurance. Shopping
around is always the best way to find the most competitive
premium and the easiest and quickest way to do this is use the
internet. Something like the Motorcarloans Insurance finder – which visits over 50
different insurers and brokers to find you the best deal in a
matter of minutes – means you get the compare cover and premiums
all from the click of a mouse!
|
