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You wouldn't buy a house without properly seeing inside, and you wouldn't agree to marry someone after a five-minute date. Why, then, is it considered normal to decide whether to buy a new car based on a sales pitch and a five-minute test drive around the block?
Car dealers often insist on joining you for a running sales pitch during the ride. Other dealers understand the importance of a test drive when preparing to make such a large financial investment and allow for a longer, more comprehensive experience.
Find out how different car manufacturers tackle test drives and everything you should ask or do during the experience.
Conduct your own manufacturer test drive comparison with this handy table.
Manufacturer | Length of test drive | Special features | How to book a test drive |
---|---|---|---|
Audi | Normal test drives are as negotiated with the dealer. Audi Driving Experience is a full-day course in various locations. | Audi Driving Experience is a set of specialised courses including advanced driving, sports driving, ice driving and driving courses solely for women. Located around the world, including Australia, Austria and Sweden, prices start at $500 for the women's course and up to $6,500 for the ice driving experience in Austria. | You can request normal test drives by completing an online form. You can book and pay for Audi Driving Experiences online. |
BMW | Normal test drives are as negotiated with the dealer. BMW Driving Experience is a day-long course. | BMW Driving Experience is an extended test drive and an all-day driving course. It costs more than $1,000 with prices varying between states. | You can book a normal test drive or the BMW driving experience online or by phone. |
Ford | As negotiated with each dealership. | Australian residents can request a test drive online. Non-Australian residents must phone for an appointment. | |
Holden | All Holden models can be test driven for 24 hours or for a shorter period. | Receive a $500 Visa card if you test drive a Holden and then purchase a similar car in the same price range within 30 days. | You can book a test drive online or by phone. |
Honda | As negotiated with your local dealer. | You can select up to three Honda models when requesting a test drive online. | After you fill in an online form, your closest dealer will contact you. |
Hyundai | As negotiated with each dealership. | Hyundai previously ran a promotion whereby you could earn 5,000 Velocity points by test driving a Tucson or Santa Fe. That promotion has expired, but similar promotions could occur in the future. | The online form allows you to specify your preferred date and time of the test drive. A representative from Hyundai will then contact you to make firm arrangements. |
Isuzu | As negotiated with your local dealer, depending on the Isuzu model you wish to test drive. | Choose whether you wish to test drive a D-Max ute or MU-X when booking the test drive. | You can book test drives with an online form. |
Jeep | As negotiated with each dealership. | You can only select one Jeep model when booking a test drive. | You can request contact with an online form. |
Kia | As negotiated after making contact with your local dealership. | You can select up to three Kia models when requesting a test drive. | After choosing the model(s) you wish to test drive, a map will be displayed showing your closest dealerships that stock those models. Phone numbers and opening hours are displayed for each dealership. |
Mazda | As negotiated with each dealership. | You can request a test drive online. | |
Mercedes-Benz | Test drive bookings made online fall within a one-hour slot. You could negotiate a longer test drive directly with your local dealer. | After selecting your preferred Mercedes-Benz model, fuel type and transmission, you will be shown a map of all dealerships in Australia that offer that model. Select a dealer, then you can book the date and time of your test drive. | |
Mitsubishi | As negotiated with each dealership. | You can select one Mitsubishi model for a test drive. | The online form allows you to indicate your preferred date and time, but a final booking will be made when a representative phones you after you submit the form. |
Nissan | Nissan Pathfinders can be test driven for up to 24 hours. Other Nissan cars are as negotiated with the dealership. | You can negotiate test drive length and extent over the phone before the appointment. | You can request an extended test drive for a Nissan Pathfinder online. You can request regular test drives online or request a call-back. |
Subaru | As discussed with your local dealership. | Subaru offers the "test drive at yours" service on VX and Impreza models in some areas, where a representative will bring the model to your home or workplace for you to test drive. | You can request normal test drives with an online form. A separate online form for the "test drive at yours" service will advise you if the service is available in your area. |
Suzuki | As negotiated with each dealership. | You can select up to two models to test drive. | The online form will prompt you to select your preferred dealer. A representative will then contact you to make a test drive booking. |
Toyota | As negotiated with each dealership. | The manufacturer encourages extensive test drives and recommends test driving during the week. | You can request a test drive by phone or online. The dealership will accept walk-ins depending on availability. |
Volkswagen | As negotiated after making initial contact via an online form. | Complete an online form and a representative will contact you. |
Dealerships have different requirements when it comes to booking a test drive. Some dealerships will allow walk-ins to organise a test drive there and then, while other dealerships will only allow test drives that have been scheduled in advance. Dealerships are increasingly allowing online bookings to keep up-to-date with modern consumer practices. See the table below to compare manufacturer test drive requirements and find out how each manufacturer schedules test drive bookings.
Generally, you will not have to pay in order to test drive a vehicle. However some manufacturers may charge a fee or offer specialised experiences that you will have to pay for. These are detailed in the table below. If possible, it is always a good idea to contact the manufacturer or dealer directly to see if there will be any costs associated with the test drive.
Taking a new car for a test drive can be a daunting experience. The excitement of potentially purchasing a new car combined with the pressure of the time-sensitive situation is usually worsened by being under the salesperson's watchful eye. When taking a car on a test drive, it is important to not panic and to not feel rushed or under pressure.
Consider the following tips when taking a car for a test drive:
A test drive can be a high-pressure experience, run by experienced salespeople who know how to make buyers feel a certain way. It may not be easy, but it is important to take back control of the situation and insist on performing a full inspection and road test of the car before committing to purchasing it.
How can I test how the car handles at night?
Most dealerships are only open during daytime working hours, but you'll likely spend a significant amount of time in your car at night. You have the right to ask to revisit the dealership at night to see how the car handles in the dark and to experience the interior and lights. If the dealer won't allow this, choose another dealership that will.
Do I need to use the dealership's finance provider?
No, you do not. The car salesperson may whisk you into their finance office as part of the sales process, but you are under no obligation to use their preferred finance provider. Take the time to compare car loans to make sure you get the best deal.
Picture: Shutterstock
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