Test drives of older cars
Discussion
I tend to buy older vehicles. The newest i've ever had was five years old.
Most of the stuff I look at wouldn't be held at a main dealer (not that I'd pay those prices anyway) and the smaller dealers are sometimes hesitant to let you test drive unless you've pretty much bought it.
So the only test drives I get are on private sales, and are solely to check the mechanical condition of the car before purchase.
How do folk get experience of driving different cars and trying them out thoroughly before you buy?
At say, under £10K is it just a matter of buy it and it you don't like it sell it?
Do people borrow friends cars? Can't say I have many petrol head friends, one with an 06 Impreza but that's about it.
Is it just a case of reading about cars on here and then buying one without really testing it?
Just interested to know, Thanks.
Most of the stuff I look at wouldn't be held at a main dealer (not that I'd pay those prices anyway) and the smaller dealers are sometimes hesitant to let you test drive unless you've pretty much bought it.
So the only test drives I get are on private sales, and are solely to check the mechanical condition of the car before purchase.
How do folk get experience of driving different cars and trying them out thoroughly before you buy?
At say, under £10K is it just a matter of buy it and it you don't like it sell it?
Do people borrow friends cars? Can't say I have many petrol head friends, one with an 06 Impreza but that's about it.
Is it just a case of reading about cars on here and then buying one without really testing it?
Just interested to know, Thanks.
Yes - it is for me....the last few cars I've bought purely on the basis of reviews/car choice decisions and then a one-off test drive to confirm mechanical condition. Private sale cash purchases at £10k-£40k. Bought my Aston without a test drive (though had a recent detailed deealer check) - had never driven one. Sounds odd when I write it down. No regrets though on any of the purchases!
I'm also in the older car camp.
Out of all the cars in my Garage, the only one I actually took out on a proper test drive was the Mk3 1.4 Astra Merit. AND I still bought it.
The next Astra was a once round the block jobbie, but it only cost £150 so was only running it until the (long) MOT ran out.
I told a lie above. I did test drive the diesel MK4 Astra. AND I still bought it. What a fool I was.
The Lexus was in the family already, and I knew it was mechanically sound. So I didn't drive it prior to purchase.
The Laguna - See the Lexus above.
The Agila... No test drive, but cost buttons. Only got it to run till the MOT expired.
The Rover... Ran in up and down the sellers drive. The real test drive was the drive home!
Out of all the cars in my Garage, the only one I actually took out on a proper test drive was the Mk3 1.4 Astra Merit. AND I still bought it.
The next Astra was a once round the block jobbie, but it only cost £150 so was only running it until the (long) MOT ran out.
I told a lie above. I did test drive the diesel MK4 Astra. AND I still bought it. What a fool I was.
The Lexus was in the family already, and I knew it was mechanically sound. So I didn't drive it prior to purchase.
The Laguna - See the Lexus above.
The Agila... No test drive, but cost buttons. Only got it to run till the MOT expired.
The Rover... Ran in up and down the sellers drive. The real test drive was the drive home!
Always have a test drive if the car moves. It's more important as a car gets older because you need to know what's wearing out. No problem to be accompanied by the owner of course, but you want to check for exhaust smoke in the mirror when you hoof it, and bad running of the engine, if the clutch is smooth and if it pulls up in a straight line.
If you're desperate for a car and the salesman won't let you drive it then he can drive it and you can tell most of those things from the passenger seat.
Otherwise walk away unless the price is so good that you can afford to fix the things that can't be tested.
As for getting the feel of a car without a test drive, you can read as many magazine reviews as possible and sit in the driver's seat making "brmm brmm" noises
If you're desperate for a car and the salesman won't let you drive it then he can drive it and you can tell most of those things from the passenger seat.
Otherwise walk away unless the price is so good that you can afford to fix the things that can't be tested.
As for getting the feel of a car without a test drive, you can read as many magazine reviews as possible and sit in the driver's seat making "brmm brmm" noises
You can generally get an idea even from a short test drive. The only exception to this was my recent 07 Fiesta ST which was uninsured as the guy had bought a new car already. I took that into account when negotiating £450 off the asking price - just as well as it was evident a wheel bearing was screwed and the brake pads, though having plenty of meat, weren't good so I paid £280 to have those replaced and it's great now.
As for the car, I do a lot of research and have never so far been wrong about matching my expectations with how the car turned out.
As for the car, I do a lot of research and have never so far been wrong about matching my expectations with how the car turned out.
Maybe I didn't explain properly.
I'm talking about a test of performance & smile factor, rather than just mechanical condition.
I once went to a BMW Morotrad dealer to test ride a 1200cc 180mph bike.
Filled in an insurance form saying i'd pay the £1000 excess if I dropped it.
He gave me the keys and 3 hours to go and play.
I've never had that from any car dealer or private sale. I wouldn't really expect it from a private sale but if the bike dealer above can do it, why can't car dealers? Most I've had is 15min cruise around the local area, prob less than 5 miles.
Saying that, I expect if you go to a main dealer for a service they'll prob give you a curtousy car to run round in for the day.
Still doesn't get round how I would test older vehicles on private sales mind.
p.s I never bought the bike, but I did buy some BMW socks at £15!
I'm talking about a test of performance & smile factor, rather than just mechanical condition.
I once went to a BMW Morotrad dealer to test ride a 1200cc 180mph bike.
Filled in an insurance form saying i'd pay the £1000 excess if I dropped it.
He gave me the keys and 3 hours to go and play.
I've never had that from any car dealer or private sale. I wouldn't really expect it from a private sale but if the bike dealer above can do it, why can't car dealers? Most I've had is 15min cruise around the local area, prob less than 5 miles.
Saying that, I expect if you go to a main dealer for a service they'll prob give you a curtousy car to run round in for the day.
Still doesn't get round how I would test older vehicles on private sales mind.
p.s I never bought the bike, but I did buy some BMW socks at £15!
Edited by Rick101 on Thursday 23 August 09:09
Even on a private sale for car worth £1000, I'd expect either a test drive - or to be taken out for a drive by the seller if they were not confident in you driving or you could not prove you had some kind of insurance...
In fact last year I helped two friends buy cheap cars (both under a grand) and on both occasions there was no debate or question about a test drive - both sellers handed me the keys (and in fact let me drive off unaccompanied!) without question. Bought both cars too!
You should always get a test drive if the car is taxed / road legal.. and if the seller doesnt want to let the car move, then walk away!
In fact last year I helped two friends buy cheap cars (both under a grand) and on both occasions there was no debate or question about a test drive - both sellers handed me the keys (and in fact let me drive off unaccompanied!) without question. Bought both cars too!
You should always get a test drive if the car is taxed / road legal.. and if the seller doesnt want to let the car move, then walk away!
- edit*
Edited by Chicane-UK on Thursday 23 August 09:11
I would never buy a vehicle without test driving it. Never had an issue from any private or dealership test driving a vehicle before purchase, last time guy was a little worried but still gave the ok... Being only 23 and testing a T5, paid off as i quickly snapped it up! Usually take them out for about a half hour and pay the gas, never had anyone say no, yet.
I see what you're trying to say.
You'd always get a test drive to make sure the car is sound before you buy it..
But, at this point of the market I don't think you (we!) have the option of driving loads of cars just to see which we fancy! Unless you're prepared to waste a lot of everyone's time. I'm not.
I always know what car I want so don't have this problem.
You'd always get a test drive to make sure the car is sound before you buy it..
But, at this point of the market I don't think you (we!) have the option of driving loads of cars just to see which we fancy! Unless you're prepared to waste a lot of everyone's time. I'm not.
I always know what car I want so don't have this problem.
I understand the point you're making - the answer is that you need to spend time reading up on other people's opinions and experiences of them to get a feel for what they're like, and then when you get as far as a test drive of a particular example you can then validate those opinions, or not.
I'd expect 15 mins for a test drive of a car I was thinking of buying. Assuming you don't buy the first one you see, those test drives will allow you to form an opinion of the car for yourself, as well as highlighting differences between similar models.
I'd expect 15 mins for a test drive of a car I was thinking of buying. Assuming you don't buy the first one you see, those test drives will allow you to form an opinion of the car for yourself, as well as highlighting differences between similar models.
After clarifying what you really want I can see the vendor's point of view. I'd have no problem letting someone drive a car I was selling to see if it's as described. You've probably already decided you want one like it, it's just whether mine is working well.
But you've described someone who fancies driving a few different cars to see if they're what's wanted, then a bit of thinking and then some time later shopping for an actual car.
If I'm selling a car I probably want rid in a week or so, not for the visitor to find and drive 3 completely different cars and then maybe call me back.
Looks like you'll have to lie "I've been to see 2 others just like yours, I'm hoping this is the one"
How long do you need to check if a car is for you by the way? I normally know by the time it gets up to 60mph, but if you're after checking bump and rebound rates through a tricky series of hairpins several times you're probably out of luck
But you've described someone who fancies driving a few different cars to see if they're what's wanted, then a bit of thinking and then some time later shopping for an actual car.
If I'm selling a car I probably want rid in a week or so, not for the visitor to find and drive 3 completely different cars and then maybe call me back.
Looks like you'll have to lie "I've been to see 2 others just like yours, I'm hoping this is the one"
How long do you need to check if a car is for you by the way? I normally know by the time it gets up to 60mph, but if you're after checking bump and rebound rates through a tricky series of hairpins several times you're probably out of luck
Rick101 said:
Most of the stuff I look at wouldn't be held at a main dealer (not that I'd pay those prices anyway) and the smaller dealers are sometimes hesitant to let you test drive unless you've pretty much bought it.
Never bought a car from a private individual - or not since the 1980s anyway :-) I tend to set myself a spending limit of between £4k-£5k when I go car shopping, so don't often wander around main dealer forecourts. However, my experience of smaller/independent dealers is that they have always been quite happy for me to just take the keys and go for a drive.
A couple of years back, I bought an E46 3 series, the guy put a quarter of tank of petrol in it and said "see you later". Earlier this year, I was looking for a second car again and test drove a Honda Accord (which I didn't end up buying), and an E46 330 Ci (which I did end up buying) - again both dealers just gave me the keys and said "off you go"...
When we have bought from main dealers, I've always been irritated by the salesman wanting to drive the car or sit in the back looking nervous, and taking you around a set test route they have in mind.
A few years back, my wife took a MINI convertible out for a test drive, which took in part of the A3 near Cobham. Salesman sat hunched up in the back trying to point out the features of the car (anyone who's been in a MINI convertible will know that at 70mph, that's more or less impossible). Then, another car spun right in front of us and ended up in the central barrier... we just missed hitting it - brown trousers all round I think!
Fair points made above.
It's ok reading reviews so you know the character of the car but I think until you try it for yourself you don't really know if it's for you.
I'm in the sub £10K price braket at the moment so not really expecting the high level of service that may provide a extended test drive.
If I was like a few on here running round in £50K+ cars, I'd want more than 2 min round the block.
SteveUK, sound like you've had some great service.
It's ok reading reviews so you know the character of the car but I think until you try it for yourself you don't really know if it's for you.
I'm in the sub £10K price braket at the moment so not really expecting the high level of service that may provide a extended test drive.
If I was like a few on here running round in £50K+ cars, I'd want more than 2 min round the block.
SteveUK, sound like you've had some great service.
stevesuk said:
When we have bought from main dealers, I've always been irritated by the salesman wanting to drive the car or sit in the back looking nervous
If your driving on a test drive makes the salesman look nervous it says more about your driving style than it does the salesman. Bear in mind we drive with strangers all day every day it usually takes a lot to make us look nervous. How would you feel sitting next to a stranger whilst their driving puts you at risk?stevesuk said:
and taking you around a set test route they have in mind.
Perfectly normal, it ensures that the dealership knows where to look in the case of a customer a) crashing or b) stealing the car leaving the salesman at the side of the road. We also develop our own test drive routes to cover different types of road and to avoid dangerous bits where the customer could get it wrong (right turns across dual carriageways for example).Rick101 said:
I once went to a BMW Morotrad dealer to test ride a 1200cc 180mph bike.
Filled in an insurance form saying i'd pay the £1000 excess if I dropped it.
He gave me the keys and 3 hours to go and play.
I've never had that from any car dealer or private sale. I wouldn't really expect it from a private sale but if the bike dealer above can do it, why can't car dealers? Most I've had is 15min cruise around the local area, prob less than 5 miles.
Most insurance doesn't cover unaccompanied test drives any more. Also too many people taking the piss.Filled in an insurance form saying i'd pay the £1000 excess if I dropped it.
He gave me the keys and 3 hours to go and play.
I've never had that from any car dealer or private sale. I wouldn't really expect it from a private sale but if the bike dealer above can do it, why can't car dealers? Most I've had is 15min cruise around the local area, prob less than 5 miles.
markmullen said:
stevesuk said:
When we have bought from main dealers, I've always been irritated by the salesman wanting to drive the car or sit in the back looking nervous
If your driving on a test drive makes the salesman look nervous it says more about your driving style than it does the salesman. Bear in mind we drive with strangers all day every day it usually takes a lot to make us look nervous. How would you feel sitting next to a stranger whilst their driving puts you at risk?However, I much prefer just being left to take the car out on my own. It means you can park up somewhere and give it a good looking over on your own. Somehow, when trying to do this on the dealers forecourt, it never feels the same.
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