A test drive is your best chance to find problems that photos and documents cannot show. Many buyers get excited and forget to check the important things. This checklist helps you use the drive wisely, whether you are looking at an M car or a regular BMW.
Before you start the engine
- Ask for a cold start. Feel the bonnet when you arrive. A warm engine can hide starting problems, noises and smoke.
- Check that all warning lights come on with the ignition and go out after the engine starts.
- Listen during the start: rattles, long cranking or uneven idle are worth noting.
- Look at the exhaust for blue or white smoke that does not disappear.
During the drive
Drive calmly at first and let the engine reach its normal temperature before using high revs. Then check:
- Gearbox: smooth gear changes without crunching, jerks or delays. Test manual mode on automatic and dual-clutch gearboxes.
- Clutch: on a manual car, the clutch should engage smoothly and not slip when accelerating in a higher gear.
- Engine: steady power through the rev range, no hesitation and no warning messages.
- Steering: straight, with no pull to one side, no vibration and no knocks over bumps.
- Brakes: the car should stop straight, without pulsing in the pedal or noises.
- Suspension: no knocking over bumps and no excessive movement. On cars with adaptive suspension, test the different modes.
- Noises: turn off the radio and listen for humming, whining or clunking.
Drive on different roads if possible: town, a bumpy section and a faster road at legal speeds.
After the drive
- Let the engine idle and check for new warning messages.
- Look under the car for fresh drips.
- Check the temperature and oil level displays.
- Test the equipment: air conditioning, windows, mirrors, seats, lights, iDrive and parking sensors.
Bring a friend
A second person can listen for noises, watch the exhaust and notice things you miss while driving. An experienced BMW owner from the community is ideal.
Insurance and permission
Make sure you are insured to drive the car before the test drive, and agree on the route with the seller. Respect the speed limits; a test drive is not the time to explore the car's limits.
Ask the community
If you noticed something you are not sure about, post a topic in Buying & ownership with the model, mileage and what you observed. Members can tell you whether it is normal for that model or a reason to walk away. For any serious purchase, a pre-purchase inspection by a specialist is always a good investment.