Test Drive Checklist

Written By: MyRide.com
Reprinted under license.

Do more than kick the tires and ride behind the wheel
Test Drive Checklist

Test drives aren't just about kicking the tires, or even taking a car for a spin around the block. The right choice includes a thorough inspection--the car you buy must fit your needs, lifestyle and demands. Make sure you're prepared when you get behind the wheel with this comprehensive guide to vehicle test drives.



Date/Time:______________Make/Model:_____________



Dealership/Salesperson:_______________



Vehicle Identification Number (VIN):______________



Odometer Reading:____________



Color: (Interior)___________(Exterior)____________



Equipment (Standard and Optional): If possible, get a copy of the sticker.



Before You Drive

The Walk around is a very important part of the test drive, and you're not even inside the car. Let's face it: except for the gearheads and racers, we pretty much buy a car on looks and comfort. Does it say what I want to say to the world, within my budget and credit rating? Making sure it's a look you'll love for at least three years is all part of the test drive, baby, so buckle up and let's take a walk:

Looks can Kill

What does the styling say? Middle-aged guy in a crisis, little ol' granny, or Mommy just bought me a car? Hey...is it you?

Is the color appealing?
What other cars does it remind you of?
Are there any blemishes, fades or other defects?
Are the doors, trunk, and hood easy to operate?
Are they heavy? Do they sound tight?
Tires and wheels: standard or optional?
Are the windows UV-protected?
Dealer-installed options?
Special features?
Pop the Hood

Will your father-in-law be impressed?
Does the hood stay open easily?
Are the important things easy to find and check? (Oil, transmission fluid, coolant, radiator cap, windshield washer fluid, power steering fluid.)
Is there a light under the hood?
Can you check the battery easily? Jump it easily?
Does the engine and transmission match what you wanted to test drive?
Engine:__________________ Number of Cylinders:______
Transmission:_______________ (Standard or Automatic?)
Drive:____________________ (Front Wheel, All Wheel, etc.)
Luggage in the Trunk

If you had to get out of town in a jiffy, could you do it easily?
Is there enough space?
Is the space usable?
Is it well-lighted?
Spare & Jack location?
Is it easy to put things in the trunk? Retrieve?
Does the trunk stay open?
Can you open the trunk from the inside?
What's on the Inside Counts Most

Does the interior make you feel like a chump...or a champ?
Would your Mom like the interior?
How much colored plastic can you tolerate?
Interior (cloth, leather, vinyl)? ______________
Fabric color?_________
Other interior colors?_________
Does the color scheme appeal to you? (Interior and exterior color match.)
Does the vehicle fit your needs for "roominess?" (Leg and head room front and rear?)
Is the back seat a joke, can someone larger than a 5 year-old sit back there?
Seat fit and functionality?
Seats adjustment range? Workability of adjustments? (Headrests, armrests, seatbelts.)
Do you feel comfortable sitting in the vehicle?
How many wrestlers will the vehicle hold? ________


About Brian Chee
Prior to joining Autobytel in the Spring of 2000, Brian Chee spent 15 years as a writer and editor in his native southern California, his work appearing in a wide variety of regional newspapers and online publications. As an editor at Autobytel, Brian has been quoted in numerous regional and national publications, including the Wall St. Journal and InStyle Magazine. He is responsible for writing, editing and planning content for three of the company's consumer websites: autobytel.com, autoweb.com and carsmart.com. His "beat" includes vehicle reviews, features, news and Auto Show coverage. Brian considers himself a "SoCal" car enthusiast: the kind who grades a car on how it handles today's urban and suburban reality of daily traffic gridlock, rising fuel prices and fast-paced lifestyles. Brian is an Eagle Scout, a member of the Automotive Press Association, the Motor Press Guild, and the California State University Advisory Board for Internet Writing. Brian holds a bachelor's degree in Journalism.

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