Get the most of a test drive before buying
Buying a car can be expensive, stressful and one of the biggest purchases you’ll make.
With the average new car price at nearly R300,000, many South Africans will opt to buy a pre-owned car, but a thorough test drive is important to avoid buyer’s remorse.
This is according to Jamie Surkont, director at used car retailer getWorth, who says a test drive is an important opportunity to determine how a car drives, how it performs and its level of comfort.
However, if you don’t know what to look out for, you might later regret your decision.
He explains that an average test drive is 10 to 15 minutes, which is a very short time in which to make a sound decision, even more so if buying pre-owned and not entirely sure of the vehicle’s history.
“According to a recent Kia Motors survey, one in five drivers regret buying their car within minutes,” Surkont says.
“Many people choose cars based on emotion, when in fact they should rather be considering practical aspects like:
● Will it suit your driving style and lifestyle requirements?
● Are you happy with the vehicle specifications?”
What to check during a test drive
● Ideally do a test-drive in the early morning when the engine is cool. This will allow you to detect if there are any problems when starting the vehicle.
● Visually, check paintwork, glass and condition of the tyres.
● Look out for exterior and interior damage and check that the wear and tear on pedals and steering wheel is consistent with the mileage.
● On the exterior, check for dents, scratches and rust.
● The vehicle should drive smoothly and have good visibility from all angles.
● Check the brakes (they shouldn’t be sticky) and that the car is responsive.
“If the bulk of your travels are done on a freeway, ensure your test includes freeway driving,” Surkont says.
“If possible, expose the car to multiple road surfaces.
“It is important to get a sense of its handling ability as well as the suspension, which will expose any issues with the shocks.”
Also check the braking system.
“Choose an open, clear road and conduct an emergency stop – the car should pull up straight; any swerving may point to a fault,” Surkont advises.
“Also brake lightly when you are travelling around 80km/h and feel for any shudder or vibration on the brake pedal that can indicate wear on the discs. Listen for any unusual engine noise and feel for any shudders in the clutch.
“Also listen to your gut response – pay attention if something about the car doesn’t feel like the right fit for you.”
Benefits of a seven-day test drive
“While in the US and in the UK, a seven-day test drive policy has become a popular offering from second-hand car businesses. It is not the norm in SA, most specifically in the preowned market where some traders still adopt a ‘voetstoots’ attitude despite the Consumer Protection Act,” Surkont says.
“The Consumer Protection Act allows you to return a product if it is materially defective – meaning something is significantly wrong – but there are several issues with trying to enforce a return and, even then, you may not get a full refund.”
getWorth’s view is that a 15minute test drive is not always enough to provide the confidence and comfort you should expect for such a high-value transaction.
He adds: “Following global trends, we developed getSeven, a seven-day/700km policy that goes well above the CPA protections in that there is no argument about wear and tear, it covers more than material defects and it is a no-questionsasked return policy.
A major benefit of having a seven-day return option is knowing you can buy sight unseen, from another city, knowing if the vehicle is not what you expected you can return it within seven days.