Whether you’re interested in buying a new or used car, there are a number of factors that go into the decision, including the price, size, and type of vehicle you need. However, you can narrow down your choices and feel confident that the vehicle you buy is the right one by taking it for a test drive. Follow the five steps below when taking a prospective used or new vehicle for a test drive at the car dealership to ensure you find the best fit.

5 Steps for Test Driving at a Car Dealership

1. Schedule Multiple Appointments

Dedicate a single day to test driving the cars on your wishlist. This way, you can visit each car dealership and compare the vehicles back to back. If you wait days or weeks in between test drives, you might lose sight of how the cars compare to one another.

2. Bring Your Gear

If you need to have a car seat, or if you transport your bike often, then bring them with you to the test drive. You should be able to safely fit your gear into the vehicle without trouble. The last thing you want after having purchased a car is to realize that your essentials don’t fit.

3. Visually Inspect the Car

Before getting into the vehicle, walk around it to check for signs of rust, scratches, dings and other damage. You don’t want to test drive and consider a vehicle for purchase if it has damage that can’t be easily fixed.

4. Customize the Interior Settings

Before leaving the lot, change the interior temperature, seat position, radio, and other settings to match your everyday driving conditions. Make sure you feel comfortable and safe. If you use Bluetooth®, confirm that the vehicle’s technology is compatible with your devices.

5. Drive in Different Settings

Don’t limit your test drive to the streets around the car dealership. Instead, take it on both city roads and the highway to see how the vehicle handles at various speeds. Try parking the car as well. Listen for any strange sounds or movements. Test out the windshield wipers, turn signals, and brakes—the latter should stop easily without any squealing or squeaking.

Are you in the market for a used car? Discount Auto Sales in Mountain Home, AR, is a car dealership known for providing top-quality used cars and a wide selection, including models from Dodge®, Ford®, and Jeep®. Their friendly and experienced staff is dedicated to locating a car that fits both your lifestyle and budget. Give them a call at (870) 425-1775 to schedule a test drive or visit their website to use their Car Finder feature to search through their cars for sale.