How and what to look for during a test drive - from personal experience about 80% don't have a clue. Do You?
Having test driven along with having accompanied potential buyers do test drives in what now feels like a trillion vehicles the word accompanied gives me goosebumps, so let's start with how I did test drives for purchase or customer trade-in value
Being routinely faced with same type chores day after day it's safe to say we all develop a pattern of steps " here are my steps.
* Start the test drive slowly - feel and count the shift changes - is there any slipping - any hesitation - any vibrations
* Drive long enough to get the engine warm as most indicator lights ( indicating engine trouble ) won't glow until the engine is thoroughly warmed up
If vehicle is considered for purchase you absolutely must do a highway test drive! if you don't, here are some things you could experience that you would not have noticed just driving the car around the local area.
* When you accelerate on the on-ramp - look in rear view mirror for smoke
* How is your shoulder check vision when merging onto the hwy
* how is your vision changing lanes
* Is there excessive wind noise from the windows when closed
* Is there a whirring sound from the tires
* Is there a lag between stepping on the gas and accelerating
* Does the engine strain at high speeds
* At 60mph/100kmh hit the brake - does it pulsate - does it pull left or right - does the body of the car swerve
* Is the acceleration satisfactory when passing
* Is the cruise control in working order
* Upon completion test drive " if " vehicle is considered for purchase did you check all power options - windows - seats - heated seats - CD - keyless entry - roof - etc etc.
Most consumers buy a car without testing the vehicle on the highway, a large percentage of these buyers will return to the dealership within 24 hrs with some problems related to the above questions
You may have heard the expression " a car feels tight " when you test drive a car that feels like being part of you having passed every test then the vehicle is tight " remember " the dealer or your friends cannot tell you that a car handles the way you like, you have to find that answer on your own.
# 1 Factor on Check List Prior to Test Drive
When I suggested to drive long enough to potentially trigger an engine warning indicator light, keep in mind that a check engine light can easily be cleared by the seller.
When you turn the key, but before you start the engine, the instrument panel will light up and you should see all available indicators. One of them should be "Check Engine", "Service Engine Soon", a picture of an engine, or some equivalent. If you see other indicators but not this one, then it either does not exist (unlikely in any car made in the last 10-15 years), or it has been disconnected. " memorize this check list or print a copy to take along for the ride "
For more details on how to safeguard against this, navigate to 
mechanic
Opening paragraph I mentioned " accompanied gives me goosebumps "
Putting my thoughts into this chapter my mind kept reminding me of horror test drives with or without buyers. You just know within a minute if in safe hands or with someone that just gotten a licence the day prior that makes you so nervous that all you think about is getting back to the dealership in one piece, while I could share many stories here are just two that come to mind
Some drivers test the brakes a bit on the heavy side, thats normal, while others will say I am going to test the brakes, that's also normal,,, on this occasion I am sitting in the back seat when the lady driver says hang on I am going to brake,,, ok,,, so I brace myself somewhat like I have done many times before,,, the lady jam locked the brakes so hard she could have stopped on a dime, her husband whom was also sitting in the front seat I am sure would have gone through the windshield had he not been buckled up
I got airborne in the backseat seeing stars as my face smashed into the back of drivers headrest, arrived back at the dealership dazed and soaked with blood all over my clothes with a broken nose that just did not want to stop pouring, and was driven to emergency,,, from that day on it became a habit to put my feet against the front seat when someone was going to test the brakes, I learned the hard way to wear a seatbelt,,, you just never know.
My worse test drive ever
was appraising a customers trade in, I could not fit into the drivers seat, opened the rear door and removed a huge cardboard box that was jammed against the back of driver seat, got in the car moved driver seat back for comfort turned the key put vehicle in drive leaned back and instantly became aware why the box had been put there in the first place.Laying in the back seat looking at the roofs interior the car had already started it's own test drive and left the dealership, when I was able to sit up the car was headed towards the gas station across the street I could only lean forward being stretched out to grab the steering wheel, as I did the car jumped the curb and kept going, at this point I should have turned the ignition off since I was in no position to hit the brake pedal with my feet in the back seat.
Being in a panic mode my only concentration was steering, I was blessed on three fronts
Crossing the street without getting side-swiped and no pedestrians
The car kept the same level of speed
Service station being quite large with no heavy traffic
I was able to drive in circles while trying to get myself planted in the front seat which I found was impossible while moving and steering at the same time, on the third or fourth lap around the service station my senses finally overcome the initial shock and I turned the ignition off.
