Test drive insurance guide

Not everyone is a car expert but that shouldn’t put you off buying a new car. Even if you don’t know your carburettor from your crankshaft, you should always test drive your potential new car before you buy it.

Getting a new car is not only a hefty hit on your wallet but it’s something you’re more than likely to use every day. A test drive is a perfect chance to make sure you’re getting exactly what you want for your money and that you feel comfortable behind the wheel.

Test drives should be about more than just a quick kick to the tyre, so for those less confident drivers, here is a handy guide filled with tips and ideas on what to look out for plus the questions you should be asking.

How to test drive a car

Do your research ahead of time

Whether you’re stepping into a showroom or taking a second-hand car for a test drive, it’s important to do some research before you take the wheel. Put aside some time to look at the makes and models you like and can afford. Visit their manufacturers’ websites for more information and watch YouTube videos for some honest reviews. Have a think about what you’d use the vehicle for.

If you’ll be taking on the school run, you might want to look at larger vehicles with more space and a higher safety rating. If you’re looking for a first car, you’re more likely to focus on the price and insurance group.

Whatever your needs, the internet is full of suggestions for which car will be best suited to your lifestyle. Read and watch these reviews and draw up a shortlist of 3 or 4 cars you’d like to take for a test drive. This will be easier if you’re visiting car showrooms with a range of vehicles on offer.

If you’re buying second-hand, you can still do just as much research on used car sites and find the right kind of vehicles to suit your needs. You can then book these in for a test drive.

What to check for during a test drive

Before you take the car out for a test drive, it’s important to perform some basic vehicle checks. Even if it’s a brand new car, there could be scratches, dents or even interior damage that you should look out for – and keep note of.

If you’re taking a used car for a test drive, these are the basic checks and things you should look out for:

• Does the car match the description?
• Look out for ‘bubbling’ paintwork. This could be a sign of rust
• Mismatched paintwork could be a sign of shoddy repair after an accident
• Push each corner of the car to check the suspension. It should bounce back smoothly
• Does the mileage (average 8,000 a year) match the age of the car?
• Check the vehicle’s documents, service history, V5C registration, MOT certificates etc.
• Look for even wear on the tyres

This is not an exhaustive list and if you have any doubts about the vehicle, ask the seller for more information. If your gut instinct is something is not right, it’s worth following it – or at least requesting some concrete answers.

Can you test drive a car without insurance?

It’s a legal requirement to be properly insured to drive any vehicle on a public road in Great Britain. You can’t test drive a car without insurance and the police will not accept “I’m test driving a new car” as a valid excuse if you are caught,

Most recognised dealers will have insurance in place to cover you on a test drive. They may take a copy of your driving licence in case something happens but you shouldn’t have to worry about anything else.

If you’re test driving a car from a private dealer, you’ll have to organise temporary car insurance for yourself. In the past, potential buyers may have had a ‘driving other cars’ (DOC) clause in their licence documents but this has become increasingly rare in recent years.

Tempcover’s short-term insurance offers fully comprehensive cover that covers all parties and is perfect for test drives. Covering you from an hour, you can choose a time that suits you and head off on your test drive the moment it starts. Getting a quote is simple:

• Enter your details and those of the vehicle
• Get your quote
• Purchase your policy

Tempcover’s policy will also protect your no claims discount.

Things to do while on the test drive

Make sure you feel in control

Once you’ve sorted your insurance and looked over the vehicle, it’s time to take the car out for a test drive. Many dealers may have an assigned route they’d like you to follow but it’s important you head out where you want to (within reason).

It might be a good idea to try the new car out on a variety of roads you regularly use e.g. your route to work if it’s local or any other hobbies.

How long can you test drive a car for?

While there isn’t a set limit for how long you can test drive a car (unless you only have limited time on your temp car insurance), you should spend around half an hour or 45 minutes on the road. This gives you ample time to get a feel for the vehicle.

Make sure you discuss how long you want to test drive the car for with the seller before taking it out. Most of the time, they’re likely to be fine with this as they’ll want to make the sale.

What to look out for when test driving a car

Before driving on the roads, make sure you feel comfortable to drive. This is a new vehicle so you may want to adjust the seat, check out the controls and ensure all gadgets are working properly.

Ask the seller to explain anything you may not understand. You’re paying for the features of the car, so it’s important to make sure everything is working properly.

Get in and out of the car multiple times and sit in every seat if you want to. It’s important that every aspect of the vehicle is up to your standards. Ask yourself (and the seller, if needed) the following questions:

• Will the boot fit in your weekly shop?
• Can you comfortably fit a car seat?
• Does your phone work with the stereo?
• Do any warning lights come on when you start the car?
• Does the steering wheel turn easily?

When starting the vehicle, make sure it is from cold. If the car is already running, it could be a sign the seller is trying to hide problems starting the car or loud noises. You should listen out for any suspicious noises throughout the test drive. Even if you can’t identify what they are, be sure to politely question the seller on them.

As mentioned above, when you’re out on the road, make sure you test the vehicle on a range of different roads. From tight town roads to dual carriageways you need to see how the car performs in different scenarios. You should also try driving a new car at various speeds, although you should always inform the people you’re driving with before you do so.

Make sure you have a couple of attempts at parking the vehicle. You’ll want to know how easy the car is to control and test out any parking assist features it may have.

What to do after a test drive

Take your time to make your decision

Try not to get carried away, even if you loved the car on the first drive. Make sure you test the other vehicles on your list and give yourself some time to reflect before making a decision on whether to buy. It’s likely to be a lot of money so you need to ensure it’s the right choice. Speak to the seller if you have any further questions and to confirm the final costs.

Once you’ve talked it over and made up your mind on which vehicle you want, it’s time to make your purchase.

Do I need drive away insurance when I buy a new car?

Once you’ve bought your new car, you’ll want to get out and drive it as soon as possible. If you’ve been test driving a number of cars, it’s unlikely you will have had time to sort out your annual insurance. If you want to be able to drive your car home after picking it up, you could invest in flexible and affordable drive away insurance.

From 1 to 12 hours or a day to 28 days, it’s a temporary car insurance policy that gives you time to find the best kind of annual insurance. Cover is instant so there’s no waiting around. The moment the policy starts is the moment you can start driving.

A test drive is an important part of buying a new car and by doing some research and asking the right questions, you’ll be able to find the perfect car. You can then start planning the really important things like what will be your first road trip and what will you name the car…

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is a test drive for a car?

There is no set limit for how long you can take a car for a test drive, but most tend to last between 30 and 45 minutes. If you want to take it for longer, you can ask the seller. It might be a good idea to drive on roads that you use regularly.

Can I legally test drive a car?

As long as you hold a valid UK driving licence and have a valid insurance policy, you’ll be able to test drive a car. Most dealers will have this sorted already and might just take a copy of your licence. If you’re looking to buy privately, you will need to sort out your own insurance. Tempcover’s temporary car insurance offers comprehensive short-term cover from just 1 hour.

Does someone come with you on a test drive?

As long as you have a valid licence and insurance, you can take a car on a test drive. Some sellers or dealers may insist on accompanying you to help you get to grips with the car and its controls, but often you will be test driving on your own.

Is it worth test driving a car?

Yes. A car is a significant investment and you will want to make sure you are happy with the vehicle you will be driving. If you’re buying second-hand, you’ll also want to double-check everything is in good condition before making your purchase.