On a used car test drive, check the car before you start (warning lights, tyres, a cold start if the seller allows it), then listen and feel while you drive: steering pull, brake feel, gearbox shifts, bumps and noises. Test the air-con and every switch, drive on slow and faster roads, and take your time. A test drive cannot show hidden faults, so follow it with a pre-purchase inspection at a workshop you trust.
What should you check before you start the car?
Walk round the car in daylight. Look at the panels for uneven gaps or colour differences, check that all four tyres look evenly worn, and look inside for worn pedals and seats that match the mileage story. Ask to see the service records. If the seller allows it, start the engine from cold: when you switch the ignition on, dashboard warning lights should come on briefly and then go out.
What should you feel and hear while driving?
Drive with the radio off. The steering should feel steady, and the car should not pull to one side on a straight road. The brakes should stop the car smoothly without shaking or grinding. An automatic gearbox should shift without jerks or long pauses. Listen for knocks over bumps, humming that changes with speed, and any smell of burning. Take the car over a few road humps and a rough patch if you can.
Which features should you test?
Singapore driving means the air-conditioning matters: check it blows cold and quickly. Then work every switch: windows, mirrors, central locking, lights, indicators, wipers, the touchscreen, the reverse camera and parking sensors if fitted. Small faults you find now are things to raise before you agree the price, not after.
How long should a test drive be, and where?
Long enough to feel the car in slow traffic and at a steadier speed. Park the car, turn the engine off, and restart it once or twice. Bring someone along if you can, as a second pair of ears helps. If you are not rushed, you notice more. At Star Performance Motor you come to our showroom in Yishun, we walk you round the car and you take it for a drive.
What can a test drive not tell you?
A test drive shows how the car feels today; it does not show worn parts, past repairs or hidden faults underneath. That is what a pre-purchase inspection is for. You can book one at any workshop you trust before you commit, and many of our buyers ask us to come along, which we do.
What should you ask once you are back?
Ask for the service records, the number of previous owners and how much COE is left, and compare the price with the car's depreciation figure. If this is your first car, our guide to buying your first used car in Singapore walks through the other steps.
Related: Buy a used car from Star Performance Motor. Official rules and figures: LTA OneMotoring.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a used car test drive be?
Long enough to drive in slow traffic and at a steadier speed, and to restart the engine once or twice. There is no fixed time; do not let anyone rush you.
Can I test drive a car before paying a deposit?
You should be able to see and drive the car before you commit. At Star Performance Motor you view the car at our Yishun showroom and take it for a drive, and you can have it inspected at a workshop of your choice before you pay in full.
Is a test drive enough, or do I need an inspection?
A test drive cannot show everything. A pre-purchase inspection at a workshop you trust checks what you cannot see from the driver seat, so do both.