diff --git a/test/test_basic.py b/test/test_basic.py
index 4b672b2..8ccf01d 100644
--- a/test/test_basic.py
+++ b/test/test_basic.py
@@ -181,18 +181,25 @@ def test_id_safety(request):
     with pytest.raises(ValueError, match="already"):
         v1.id = used_vol_id
 
+    # set volume 1 to a safe ID and ensure assignment was successful this
+    # assignment should free the original ID of 1 for use
     safe_vol_id = 9876
     v1.id = safe_vol_id
     assert v1.id == safe_vol_id
 
-    v2 = Volume.create(model)
+    # create a second volume and ensure it gets the next available ID
+    v2 = dagmc.Volume.create(model)
     assert v2.id == safe_vol_id + 1
 
+    # update the value of the first volume, freeing the ID
     safe_vol_id = 101
     v1.id = safe_vol_id
-    del v2
+    # delete the second volume, freeing its ID as well
+    v2.delete()
 
-    v3 = Volume.create(model)
+    # create a new volume and ensure that it is automatically assigned the
+    # lowest available ID
+    v3 = dagmc.Volume.create(model)
     assert v3.id == safe_vol_id + 1
 
     s1 = model.surfaces_by_id[1]