Test drive etiquette
Discussion
Hi all,
So I'm about to do my first test drive, I have owned a car for a short period in my teens but that came down through the family, so got to 30 without needing to.
Got a couple of questions, I've booked to test drive a model of car I'm interested in but probably have no intention of buying this particular car, I'm looking at different manufacturers/models all within the same class of car and want to try one of each first which I don't think is unreasonable. So do dealers see this as wasting their time? I will make this clear before we drive that this is the case to save him making a huge effort to try to sell it to us, but you have to start somewhere!
The second thing is, is it unreasonable to ask to take a look at the car for 10-15 mins without them hanging over your shoulder? Do they normally hang around. I feel like they'd be insulted if I did simple things such as checking the lights work? not that I care it's my cash to spend. Perhaps more simple checks like this are only required for private sales,I'll be going through a franchised dealer. My nieve hope is that a franchised dealer wouldn't knowingly buy a dodgy model to sell on, they could make a mistake, buy and then realise but they undertake rigorous tests I presume?
I really have no clue and am therefore probably a salesman's dream.
thanks
So I'm about to do my first test drive, I have owned a car for a short period in my teens but that came down through the family, so got to 30 without needing to.
Got a couple of questions, I've booked to test drive a model of car I'm interested in but probably have no intention of buying this particular car, I'm looking at different manufacturers/models all within the same class of car and want to try one of each first which I don't think is unreasonable. So do dealers see this as wasting their time? I will make this clear before we drive that this is the case to save him making a huge effort to try to sell it to us, but you have to start somewhere!
The second thing is, is it unreasonable to ask to take a look at the car for 10-15 mins without them hanging over your shoulder? Do they normally hang around. I feel like they'd be insulted if I did simple things such as checking the lights work? not that I care it's my cash to spend. Perhaps more simple checks like this are only required for private sales,I'll be going through a franchised dealer. My nieve hope is that a franchised dealer wouldn't knowingly buy a dodgy model to sell on, they could make a mistake, buy and then realise but they undertake rigorous tests I presume?
I really have no clue and am therefore probably a salesman's dream.
thanks
u0362565 said:
...probably have no intention of buying this particular car...
Answered your own question there I feel.Put yourself in the salesman's shoes then ask yourself how you'd feel if a "customer" like that turned up.
Fair enough, go in, ask some questions, have a poke around, but don't waste the guy's time by test driving it. Just test drive the ones you ARE interested in.
Maybe he'll have more luck than i did at the weekend, with a car i was seriously considering buying
Here's the actual conversation, after looking around the car and general chit chat
Me : "Can i have a test drive?"
Dealer : "Are you going to buy it?"
Me : "Depends on how it drives"
Dealer : "Well, if you not going to buy it there's no point in wasting the fuel that's in it"
And that was the end of that - for a car i would have bought had i liked the way it drove.
Here's the actual conversation, after looking around the car and general chit chat
Me : "Can i have a test drive?"
Dealer : "Are you going to buy it?"
Me : "Depends on how it drives"
Dealer : "Well, if you not going to buy it there's no point in wasting the fuel that's in it"
And that was the end of that - for a car i would have bought had i liked the way it drove.
Most people are undecided over whether they want to buy a car when they take it for a test drive. As a private seller, I take the view that if someone has taken the trouble to come view the car, the least I can do is offer the test drive.
I've had similar discussions to the cretin salespeople above and as it happens never bought when quizzed that way.
I've had similar discussions to the cretin salespeople above and as it happens never bought when quizzed that way.
littlebasher said:
Maybe he'll have more luck than i did at the weekend, with a car i was seriously considering buying
Here's the actual conversation, after looking around the car and general chit chat
Me : "Can i have a test drive?"
Dealer : "Are you going to buy it?"
Me : "Depends on how it drives"
Dealer : "Well, if you not going to buy it there's no point in wasting the fuel that's in it"
And that was the end of that - for a car i would have bought had i liked the way it drove.
I had this with a 996 C2 targa a few weeks ago. When I called the dealer, he said a test drive would be fine. So I did the 2 hour journey to see the car. When I got there, a test drive was 'not possible today'. Needless to say, I didn't buy that one.Here's the actual conversation, after looking around the car and general chit chat
Me : "Can i have a test drive?"
Dealer : "Are you going to buy it?"
Me : "Depends on how it drives"
Dealer : "Well, if you not going to buy it there's no point in wasting the fuel that's in it"
And that was the end of that - for a car i would have bought had i liked the way it drove.
If you were buying brand new then I think what you are proposing is acceptable. And you could tell them exactly what you are doing. I was looking around Land Rover dealers recently doing just this. They were happy to help the brand as a whole.
But to expect your average used car dealer to help you with your studies is a bit much. My conscience could not let me take up a load of someone's time like that unless there was a chance I was actually going to buy that particular car.
But to expect your average used car dealer to help you with your studies is a bit much. My conscience could not let me take up a load of someone's time like that unless there was a chance I was actually going to buy that particular car.
I totally understand what's been said and generally agree but the problem still stands that if i haven't even driven all the model cars i'm interested in, how can I do that without taking up a salesman's time!? I was able to drive one car that i like because city car club use them, so i have tried where i can not to go to a dealer to drive a car.Is it not like buying a house, you do a lot of viewings but you don't necessarily take the first one, an estate agent wouldn't bat an eyelid at that, ok there's no fuel cost for them to pay.
It was probably too strong a statement to say I have no intention of buying but considering its the first car I'm looking at I think it's unlikely. So basically I need to treat it like I might buy but hopefully they're not too pushy.
It was probably too strong a statement to say I have no intention of buying but considering its the first car I'm looking at I think it's unlikely. So basically I need to treat it like I might buy but hopefully they're not too pushy.
You should only test drive if you think that a test drive will influence your decision over whether or not to buy.
It's OK to test drive (say) an MX5 at a dealer, even if you won't buy exact car you're driving (e.g. because it's the wrong colour), because there's a very good chance that if you like it, the dealer might successfully sell you a different MX5.
It is not OK to go to a private sale of an MX5 with no intention of buying that car, just to see how an MX5 drives.
It's OK to test drive (say) an MX5 at a dealer, even if you won't buy exact car you're driving (e.g. because it's the wrong colour), because there's a very good chance that if you like it, the dealer might successfully sell you a different MX5.
It is not OK to go to a private sale of an MX5 with no intention of buying that car, just to see how an MX5 drives.
MattHall91 said:
Wow everyone on here is way too honest.
Here's how - LIE!
"I'm really interested in this car and it's just the spec I'm looking for. Blah blah blah"
test drive
"I'll be looking to place a deposit after I've moved jobs next week, so I will call then. Thanks, bye."
Never call.
I am glad I am not in sales!!Here's how - LIE!
"I'm really interested in this car and it's just the spec I'm looking for. Blah blah blah"
test drive
"I'll be looking to place a deposit after I've moved jobs next week, so I will call then. Thanks, bye."
Never call.
It depends on what cars you're looking at. Most main dealers will have demo's that they'll happily take you out in if there's a chance of you buying a car from them. When the gf and I were looking for a car for her we test drove a Mini, an A1, a Suzuki Swift Sport, a Seat Ibiza Bocanegra and a Citroen DS3. Each was with a main dealer and not one of the actual cars we drive she would of bought but a higher spec'd one usually. She ended up buying a new Mini.
I think that is acceptable.
If you're talking about independent Bob's Motors I very much doubt he'll be drowning you in latte and offering you to put 20 miles on each of the cars in his lot for you to then go and buy something privately.
I certainly wouldn't go in with the line "I have no intentions of buying this car but I'd like to have a drive to see if I like the model".
Good luck!
What cars are you looking at?
I think that is acceptable.
If you're talking about independent Bob's Motors I very much doubt he'll be drowning you in latte and offering you to put 20 miles on each of the cars in his lot for you to then go and buy something privately.
I certainly wouldn't go in with the line "I have no intentions of buying this car but I'd like to have a drive to see if I like the model".
Good luck!
What cars are you looking at?
Dear OP,
From your post it appears you are in the market for a new car. I agree with the comments regarding test driving a private sale car (I.e. Only do so if you are fairly sure you will try and buy) but from a franchise, test drive away! A drive might be what's needed to sway your opinion and if that doesn't happen, at least you can rule that particular model off the list.
I'd advise strongly you check the vehicle fully prior to handing over cash. Buyer beware is a phrase most used by those who didn't take the time to look under seats etc..
If you'd feel more comfortable looking at it without the dealer peering over your shoulder, start screaming Jihad until you're alone.
Good luck with the search!
From your post it appears you are in the market for a new car. I agree with the comments regarding test driving a private sale car (I.e. Only do so if you are fairly sure you will try and buy) but from a franchise, test drive away! A drive might be what's needed to sway your opinion and if that doesn't happen, at least you can rule that particular model off the list.
I'd advise strongly you check the vehicle fully prior to handing over cash. Buyer beware is a phrase most used by those who didn't take the time to look under seats etc..
If you'd feel more comfortable looking at it without the dealer peering over your shoulder, start screaming Jihad until you're alone.
Good luck with the search!
I booked a CLS320, ML320, RRS & Jaguar XF for a test drive on the same day a few years ago. Told the Mercedes & Jaguar/LR dealer what I had done and what my intention was. First up the CLS, the dealer threw me the keys of a fully loaded CLS and told me to enjoy it. Phoned him back after an hour or so requesting to keep the car for an additional hour, he agreed and re-scheduled the ML test drive, I then cancelled the RRS & XF test drive (same dealer), returned to Mercedes 2 hours later and bought the car I test drove 
I'd just be brutally honest and state your intention, its then up to the sales man, I guess it depends on the confidence they have in their product, I certainly don't think its unreasonable, however, it will probably depend entirely on the sales man
As for having sales men perched on your shoulder, just ask for some time alone to look over the car.
I'd just be brutally honest and state your intention, its then up to the sales man, I guess it depends on the confidence they have in their product, I certainly don't think its unreasonable, however, it will probably depend entirely on the sales man
As for having sales men perched on your shoulder, just ask for some time alone to look over the car.
Trailhead said:
MattHall91 said:
Wow everyone on here is way too honest.
Here's how - LIE!
"I'm really interested in this car and it's just the spec I'm looking for. Blah blah blah"
test drive
"I'll be looking to place a deposit after I've moved jobs next week, so I will call then. Thanks, bye."
Never call.
I am glad I am not in sales!!Here's how - LIE!
"I'm really interested in this car and it's just the spec I'm looking for. Blah blah blah"
test drive
"I'll be looking to place a deposit after I've moved jobs next week, so I will call then. Thanks, bye."
Never call.
Why do people expect this to be any different from any other buying/selling situation. Surely it's down to the sales person to qualify the individual and decide whether it's worth investing the time in granting a test drive. Accepting that some people lie through their back teeth to get into a car for a spin it's the judgement call that the sales person has to make. Not that recently but I have called into garages unannounced had a chat with a salesman and been offered a test drive immediately. I am always honest. The last time a particular Audi had become available with a DSG box. We had the manual version and I wanted to see the difference. The only commitment I made was that should we change our car at some point in the future I'd let that dealer quote.
Ignore all the dealers on here with a chip on their shoulder - (there are a lot of them!).
You need to test drive a car to find out if you like it or not, so at least pick one that you "may" consider - i.e it's not toooo far out of your price range, that way if you really like it and it ticks all the boxes then they might offer you a good deal.
If you don't like that particular car or model, it's not your fault - you've not "wasted" anyone's time - how else would you know if you liked it without driving it first?
You wouldn't buy a house without going inside it, so why would you buy a car without driving it first?
You need to test drive a car to find out if you like it or not, so at least pick one that you "may" consider - i.e it's not toooo far out of your price range, that way if you really like it and it ticks all the boxes then they might offer you a good deal.
If you don't like that particular car or model, it's not your fault - you've not "wasted" anyone's time - how else would you know if you liked it without driving it first?
You wouldn't buy a house without going inside it, so why would you buy a car without driving it first?
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff