TL;DR
A test drive on a used van should cover urban streets, an A-road or dual carriageway section, a hill or gradient, and a reversing manoeuvre. Exeter and the surrounding Devon road network offer all of these within a short distance of the city. This guide suggests the best local routes for a thorough van test drive and explains what each type of road reveals about a van’s mechanical condition.
A test drive is one of the most important steps in buying any used commercial van. It is the one opportunity you have to assess how the vehicle actually performs under real driving conditions before committing to the purchase. A short drive around a quiet industrial estate tells you almost nothing useful. A well-planned test drive covering different road types reveals the van’s true mechanical condition, driving characteristics, and suitability for your working requirements.
Exeter and the surrounding Devon road network provides an excellent natural testing environment. Within a short distance of the city centre, you have access to urban streets, dual carriageway sections, A-roads with varied gradients, rural lanes, and roundabouts. This guide explains how to use that road network to get the most out of any used van test drive.
What a Good Test Drive Should Cover
Before looking at specific routes, it is worth being clear about what different road types reveal during a van test drive.
Urban streets and roundabouts reveal clutch feel and bite point, low-speed steering response, gearbox behaviour at low speeds, and the van’s manoeuvrability in real traffic conditions. They also allow you to test the brakes from low speeds and to listen for suspension noises over road imperfections.
Dual carriageway and A-road sections reveal turbo response under acceleration from 40 to 60 mph, cruising refinement at 60 to 70 mph, any vibration through the steering wheel at speed that might indicate wheel balance or tracking issues, and the van’s high-speed stability when loaded or in crosswinds.
Hilly or gradient sections reveal engine torque under load, clutch behaviour on a hill start, and handbrake effectiveness. Devon’s gradients are more demanding than flat urban roads and provide a more realistic test of the engine’s pulling ability.
Reversing and low-speed manoeuvring reveals mirror visibility, the effectiveness of any fitted parking sensors or reversing camera, and the van’s practical manoeuvrability in realistic working conditions.
Starting the Test Drive: The Cold Start
Regardless of the route you plan to drive, the test drive should always begin with a cold start. Ask the seller or dealer not to run the engine before your arrival.
A cold start from the Exeter area in the cooler months of the year, when engine temperatures are genuinely low, provides the most revealing conditions for assessing a diesel van’s starting behaviour, turbocharger warm-up, and DPF health.
On startup, watch the dashboard for warning lights that do not extinguish within 30 seconds. Listen for diesel knock that settles as the engine warms. Watch for any smoke from the exhaust that persists beyond the first minute. A DPF warning light that appears on cold start and then clears as the engine warms is a significant indicator of a partially blocked filter.
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Suggested Test Drive Routes Around Exeter
The following route types can be assembled from any starting point in the Exeter area and cover all of the road conditions a thorough van test drive requires.
Route Type 1: Urban and City Circuit
Starting from central Exeter, a circuit through the city streets toward St Thomas, Heavitree, or Pinhoe covers the urban driving conditions that reveal clutch wear, low-speed gearbox behaviour, and steering response. Exeter’s mix of traffic lights, roundabouts, speed bumps, and varied road surfaces provides a realistic urban test environment.
Extend the urban section to include a stretch along the Topsham Road or the Heavitree Road to assess the van’s behaviour in moderate traffic conditions and to check brake response over several moderate stops.
What this reveals: Clutch condition, gearbox smoothness at low speeds, steering play, suspension noise over road imperfections, and urban fuel economy.
Route Type 2: Dual Carriageway and A-Road Section
From Exeter, the A30 dual carriageway toward Okehampton or the A38 toward Plymouth provides an immediate dual carriageway test environment within minutes of the city. Joining the dual carriageway from a slip road gives you the most revealing test of turbo response: accelerate briskly from 40 mph to 60 mph and assess the turbo’s response time and the smoothness of power delivery.
At motorway-adjacent speeds on the A38 or A30, any vibration through the steering wheel or seat that was not present at lower speeds indicates a wheel balance or tracking issue worth investigating.
What this reveals: Turbo response and boost delivery, cruising refinement, high-speed stability, wheel balance issues, and gearbox behaviour in higher ratios.
Route Type 3: Gradient and Rural Section
Devon’s topography provides excellent gradient testing close to Exeter. Routes out of the city toward Haldon Hill, the B3212 toward Moretonhampstead, or the roads climbing toward the Exe Valley all provide the kind of sustained gradient that tests a diesel engine’s torque delivery and a clutch’s remaining life.
Pull away from rest on a noticeable incline and assess the clutch bite. Select a higher gear at a lower speed on a steady climb and check that the engine pulls without any clutch slip. Test the handbrake on a gradient steeper than flat.
What this reveals: Engine torque under load, clutch condition and remaining life, handbrake effectiveness, and the van’s stability on adverse cambers and slopes.
Route Type 4: Reversing and Manoeuvring
Before returning to the dealer, find a car park, a quiet side street, or a suitable off-road area and carry out a reversing manoeuvre in a realistic space. Assess the effectiveness of the mirrors for rear visibility, the clarity and field of view of any fitted reversing camera, and the sensitivity and coverage of any parking sensors.
Reverse the van into a space approximately the width of a typical driveway or delivery bay. If the van’s mirrors do not provide adequate visibility for this manoeuvre without a camera, consider whether this will be a daily challenge in your working environment.
What this reveals: Mirror visibility, camera and sensor function, and practical manoeuvrability in working conditions.
4. What to Listen and Feel for Throughout the Drive
Regardless of the route, the following sensory checks should be maintained throughout the test drive.
| Sensation or Sound | Likely Cause |
| Vibration through steering wheel at speed | Wheel balance, tracking, or worn wheel bearing |
| Pulling to one side under braking | Uneven brake wear or sticking caliper |
| Clutch bite point very high in pedal travel | Clutch nearing end of service life |
| Difficulty selecting gears when warm | Gearbox wear or linkage issue |
| Knocking from suspension over bumps | Worn bushes or shock absorbers |
| Turbo hesitation from 40 mph | Turbocharger wear or boost leak |
| Engine temperature above normal | Cooling system concern |
Read More: Where to Find Quality Used Vans in Exeter: Dealers & Tips
5. After the Drive: Key Questions to Ask
When you return from the test drive, ask the following questions before making any decision.
- Were there any warning lights during the drive that you noticed and have not mentioned?
- Has this van had any turbocharger or DPF work carried out?
- When was the clutch last inspected or replaced?
- Is there documentation of any suspension or steering work in the service history?
- What is the current brake pad and disc condition?
A dealer who answers these questions openly and with supporting documentation is one worth trusting. Vague or evasive answers to direct mechanical questions are a reason to proceed with caution.
Conclusion
A thorough test drive across different road types is one of the most valuable tools available to any used van buyer. Exeter’s road network, from the city streets and dual carriageways to the Devon gradients and rural lanes on the city’s fringes, provides everything you need to assess a commercial van’s mechanical condition comprehensively before committing to a purchase.
If you are ready to test drive a quality used van in the Exeter area, visit Exeter Diesels at diesels.co.uk or contact our team to arrange a viewing. We welcome thorough test drives and encourage buyers to take the time they need to assess any vehicle in our stock properly before making a decision.
FAQs
1. Why is it important to test drive a used van on different types of roads?
A short drive around a flat industrial estate often fails to reveal a van’s true condition. Testing a vehicle on urban streets, dual carriageways, and hills—all of which are easily accessible around our Exeter dealership—allows you to assess everything from low-speed manoeuvrability and clutch health to turbo response and high-speed stability.
2. Why do you recommend a “cold start” for a van test drive?
A cold start is the most honest way to assess a diesel engine. It allows you to see how the vehicle starts in local Devon temperatures, ensuring there are no issues with the glow plugs, battery, or Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), and that no warning lights appear during the initial warm-up phase.
3. How can I test a van’s towing or loading capability during a test drive?
While you may not be carrying a full load during your drive, we recommend heading toward local gradients like Haldon Hill. Testing the van on a steady climb reveals the engine’s torque delivery and ensures the clutch isn’t slipping under pressure, giving you confidence in its ability to handle heavy work.