Used Car Test Drive Checklist: What to Check and Listen For

A good test drive takes at least fifteen to twenty minutes on a mix of roads. Check the MOT history and your insurance before you go, look the car over in daylight, start it from cold if you can, then listen and feel for problems with the brakes, steering, gearbox and suspension. Match the price to what you find.

What should I do before the test drive?

• Check the free GOV.UK MOT history and note any repeated advisories.

• Make sure you are insured to drive the car, and bring your licence.

• Write down the registration, the mileage and the asking price.

• Ask to see the V5C, the service history, all the keys and the locking wheel nut when you arrive.

What should I check on the walk-round?

Look at the car on level ground in daylight. Check for:

• panel gaps that change from one side to the other, or paint on rubber seals, which can mean a repair

• rust bubbles on sills and wheel arches

• windscreen chips or cracks in the driver's view

• tyre tread, uneven wear, cuts or bulges, and kerbed wheels

• fluid drips under the car after it has been standing

What should I check inside the car?

• warning lights that come on with the ignition and should go out once the engine starts

• air conditioning that blows cold and a heater that blows warm

• windows, mirrors, locking, screen, cameras and sensors

• damp smells, misting or wet carpets

• wear on the seats, wheel and pedals that fits the mileage

On an electric or plug-in hybrid, also check the charging port, the cables and the battery health information. Our used EV battery guide explains what to ask for.

Why does a cold start matter?

A warm engine can hide a rough idle, a noisy timing chain or a clutch that only judders when cold. If the engine is already warm when you arrive, ask whether you can come back for a cold start. When it starts, listen for a smooth idle, watch for blue or heavy white smoke once it settles, and check that an automatic goes into gear without a thump.

What route should a test drive take?

Agree the route first. Aim for slow town driving with speed bumps and tight turns, a steadier A-road, and a faster dual carriageway if one is nearby. Find a quiet, straight stretch to brake firmly once, checking your mirrors first. Keep the radio off and the chat light so you can listen.

What should I feel and listen for?

• Brakes: a firm pedal, a straight stop and no grinding. The handbrake should hold on a slope.

• Steering: no pulling on a flat road, no clunks over bumps, and vibration that does not grow with speed.

• Manual gearbox and clutch: clean changes, a biting point that is not right at the top or the floor, and no slipping on a hill.

• Automatic gearbox: smooth creep at low speed and no flaring revs or jolts between gears.

• Noises and smells: knocks that match wheel speed, whines in one gear, belt squeal, exhaust blowing, hot oil or sweet coolant smells, or a burning clutch.

Write down anything you notice in plain words before you forget. Our guide to strange car noises can help you work out what they might mean.

When should I walk away?

• the seller will not allow a proper route

• you are pushed to pay a deposit before driving, or to decide on the spot

• the mileage, V5C and MOT history do not line up

• warning lights are dismissed as just a sensor

Otherwise, sit down after the drive and compare the price with what you found. A good drive with thin history may still be worth buying with an inspection and money set aside. A noisy gearbox or soft brakes means either a lower price or walking away. Our service history guide and used car buying checklist cover the rest.

Common questions

Do I need my own insurance for a test drive?

Often, yes, for a private sale. Some dealers cover accompanied test drives on their own policy. Always ask who is covered before you set off.

Should I get an inspection as well?

If the car is a big purchase, has thin history or made a noise you cannot explain, an independent inspection is worth paying for. A friend who knows cars is useful, but not a substitute.

Is an evening test drive good enough?

It can tell you how the car drives, but daylight shows bodywork far better. If you can only go after dark, take a second look in daylight before you commit.

Looking for a used car in Barnsley?

anycolourcar.com is in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Browse cars in stock or call sales on 01226 574410 to arrange a viewing. For servicing after you buy, call our service centre on 01226 574321 or visit our servicing and repairs page.

This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. Updated November 2026.