Discussion
I'm an old man looking to buy a boring secondhand car - something like an XC40, SX4 S Cross, CR-V, or similar. Not a diesel - our journeys are too short. Once upon a time, I'd have happily poddled along to BCA, or bought something from a dodgy "hidden trader", knowing I'd fix most problems myself. Not now, especially in winter.
It looks like being a proper dealer. Y'know, pointy shoes, clean floors and no alsations. £15k +/-. What sort of test drive can I reasonably expect? Round the industrial estate, with the salesman, or being thrown the keys and told to bring it back tomorrow? I need to ensure the boss can stand it too - not to drive it, but for ease of getting in and out and comfort.
Thanks.
It looks like being a proper dealer. Y'know, pointy shoes, clean floors and no alsations. £15k +/-. What sort of test drive can I reasonably expect? Round the industrial estate, with the salesman, or being thrown the keys and told to bring it back tomorrow? I need to ensure the boss can stand it too - not to drive it, but for ease of getting in and out and comfort.
Thanks.
I’ve only ever been chucked the keys once and told to be back in an hour (BMW dealer 15 years ago!). All the rest have been accompanied on a 20 min pre-defined route, but when I’ve asked to check specific things (like getting above 30mph when I test drove a Focus ST) they’ve adapted and been helpful. If you know what you want to check, be upfront. If they want the sale and you are not unreasonable, hopefully they will accommodate.
Chris
Chris
Edited by ScoobyChris on Sunday 10th November 21:25
It depends on the dealer really. I'm in my late 20s and have had mixed experiences since beginning to buy and sell cars at 21- Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, Toyota, Mazda & Seat main dealerships were all more than happy for me to test drive unaccompanied, sometimes in their more sporty offerings (notably an A45 AMG and a final run out special edition GT86).
Volkswagen & Ford dealers were more hesitant to just give me the keys and let me head off by myself, even when I was viewing more pedestrian cars and I'd turned up in something a bit hotter performance wise!
Independent dealers are even more of a mixed bag. I suppose as an older gent you'll have more luck scoring unaccompanied test drives than I will!
Volkswagen & Ford dealers were more hesitant to just give me the keys and let me head off by myself, even when I was viewing more pedestrian cars and I'd turned up in something a bit hotter performance wise!
Independent dealers are even more of a mixed bag. I suppose as an older gent you'll have more luck scoring unaccompanied test drives than I will!
Been offered everything from keys been chucked at me and ‘bring it back before we close’ to a five minute predefined route around an industrial estate (that was a main dealer as well!).
I find when calling them to book a test drive to tell them what you want beforehand in relation to a test drive and most will be accommodating.
I find when calling them to book a test drive to tell them what you want beforehand in relation to a test drive and most will be accommodating.
when i bought my golf gti last year - vw main dealer - the guy handed me the keys and left me to it.
I had to ask for somebody to come with me cos I wasn't familiar with the area. Took me on an excellent route including a section where he said 'you do what you need to do here, i'll check my phone, I'm not looking at the speedo'
He said solo test drives were the norm since lockdown, but they've had one car stolen so they were reconsidering this.
I had to ask for somebody to come with me cos I wasn't familiar with the area. Took me on an excellent route including a section where he said 'you do what you need to do here, i'll check my phone, I'm not looking at the speedo'
He said solo test drives were the norm since lockdown, but they've had one car stolen so they were reconsidering this.
I recently wanted to get the wife and EV, local dealer said it would be a local test drive, issue was I wanted to have it longer to see if she could get on charging etc.
Spoke to Peugeot and they loaned me an E 308 for a week, wife loved it and I got a cheap lease deal on one in September.
Car got delivered to my house and picked up, all I had to do was insure it. (£56)
Spoke to Peugeot and they loaned me an E 308 for a week, wife loved it and I got a cheap lease deal on one in September.
Car got delivered to my house and picked up, all I had to do was insure it. (£56)
Recently both Landrover and BMW Main Delaers simply gave us the keys and asked that we return in a couple of hours. The Landrover guy joked, well I think he was joking, that 500 miles was the longest test drive allowed. Similar experience at Toyota although the salesman did say he’s have to sit in if we wanted to test the GR Yaris. Its been a long time since I’ve had the pre-defined test route thing but it was standard back in the day.
Edited by renmure on Monday 11th November 10:11
our local Hyundai dealer refused to sell dad a car (Ionic5) unless he'd had a test-drive, given the fact that dad is in his 80's that did endear them to me! Offered to let dad loose on his own but I did comment I'd feel happier with sales-Joe in the car seeing as dad's current car is a 12 y/o Focus. It wasn't a long drive but at that point it was exactly what dad needed it to be - and given the car is only going to be used for short/medium distances that was a not an issue...
Just been out today on a test drive.
Photocopied my driving licence then handed me the keys and said 'see you when you get back'.
The fuel level will normally dictate how far you go, but in most instances, if i travelled to an unknown area, i'd rather be accompanied as this also gives you the chance to point out any issues first hand.
Photocopied my driving licence then handed me the keys and said 'see you when you get back'.
The fuel level will normally dictate how far you go, but in most instances, if i travelled to an unknown area, i'd rather be accompanied as this also gives you the chance to point out any issues first hand.
I remember visiting my local Lotus dealer when the S2 Elise came out. Had it in my mind i wanted one but felt i should drive one first to make sure.
Met the salesman, went through all the questions and guff.
Only to be told no test drive. “We don’t do test drives on the first visit.” Company policy, apparently.
Never returned and bought elsewhere.
Met the salesman, went through all the questions and guff.
Only to be told no test drive. “We don’t do test drives on the first visit.” Company policy, apparently.
Never returned and bought elsewhere.
Buying experience last year….
BMW - dealer in passenger seat, could drive anywhere I wanted
Cupra - given keys
Volvo - given keys
Mazda - given keys
Mercedes - c63 given keys
Lexus - ignored by sales team, waited 30 minutes (pre arranged meeting), walked out
Best car salesman I ever came across, was at an Alpha Rameo dealer when I was 25, chucked me the keys to a V6, and told me to enjoy it. Came back 30 minutes later and bought it!
BMW - dealer in passenger seat, could drive anywhere I wanted
Cupra - given keys
Volvo - given keys
Mazda - given keys
Mercedes - c63 given keys
Lexus - ignored by sales team, waited 30 minutes (pre arranged meeting), walked out
Best car salesman I ever came across, was at an Alpha Rameo dealer when I was 25, chucked me the keys to a V6, and told me to enjoy it. Came back 30 minutes later and bought it!
Having just ordered a T6 XC60 this weekend, Volvo were more than happy to just throw me the keys and told me to take it out for an hour and do the type of driving I would normally do. It's the best test drive i've ever been offered and the only unaccompanied one i've been able to do.
Definitely worth asking a dealer if you're serious about buying one.
Definitely worth asking a dealer if you're serious about buying one.
I went to look at a BMW Z4M Coupe in 2019 and the trader started the engine, took the price out of the windscreen and said he'd see me in half an hour! I'd never had an unaccompanied test drive before. Maybe turning up in a non-M Z4 Coupe helped?
Then in 2021 I went with my sister to look at a Fiat 500 and the trader let us take it out on our own, but that may have been a post Covid thing.
I haven't looked at anything since!
Then in 2021 I went with my sister to look at a Fiat 500 and the trader let us take it out on our own, but that may have been a post Covid thing.
I haven't looked at anything since!
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