Ask a car salesman anything...anything at all.

[loskie]

Agree I would expect to provide my licence as part of the dealer's due diligence process.

[Paul Dishman]

I'd expect to be asked to show my driving licence before a test drive, I certainly wouldn't be offended to be asked.

[Dan W.]

exactly, when these people have not shown their license we assume they are just dicking about joyriding and feel we are calling their bluff I don't know ?

[Sa Calobra]

Dan W. said:

Would like some views on providing a Driving license for test drives please.

We don't always ask to see proof of them but we do if its a customer who is new to us or possible not from our area.

had a few examples last week of what we felt were * test drive pilots killing time * we asked for their license to keep on file to say they have been on test drive with us, few of them said they didn't have their license and a few just refused to show them so we declined any test drive on that basis.


Anyone got views on if you ask for them or as a customer would you be offended if you were asked to provide your driving license for a test drive ?

It proves who you are, proves you are the person/name on the licence etc.

I've no issue at all. After all you are borrowing thousands of pounds from someone at the very least you should show your basics to them.

[HTP99]

Sa Calobra said:

Dan W. said:

Would like some views on providing a Driving license for test drives please.

We don't always ask to see proof of them but we do if its a customer who is new to us or possible not from our area.

had a few examples last week of what we felt were * test drive pilots killing time * we asked for their license to keep on file to say they have been on test drive with us, few of them said they didn't have their license and a few just refused to show them so we declined any test drive on that basis.


Anyone got views on if you ask for them or as a customer would you be offended if you were asked to provide your driving license for a test drive ?

It proves who you are, proves you are the person/name on the licence etc.

I've no issue at all. After all you are borrowing thousands of pounds from someone at the very least you should show your basics to them.

We have this dilemma with mystery shoppers; the driving licence is always in a different address to the one given out "I've recently moved and haven't got round to updating it yet", now strictly this doesn't prove that they live where they say they live, what happens if there is a crash or a bump, are they not covered under our insurance!

[Jakg]

Dan W. said:

Would like some views on providing a Driving license for test drives please.

We don't always ask to see proof of them but we do if its a customer who is new to us or possible not from our area.

had a few examples last week of what we felt were * test drive pilots killing time * we asked for their license to keep on file to say they have been on test drive with us, few of them said they didn't have their license and a few just refused to show them so we declined any test drive on that basis.


Anyone got views on if you ask for them or as a customer would you be offended if you were asked to provide your driving license for a test drive ?

I wouldn't have a problem being asked (although I wouldn't be expecting it) at a typical dealership.

One bloke operating out of a lockup might be different, though.

[Sa Calobra]

HTP99 said:

We have this dilemma with mystery shoppers; the driving licence is always in a different address to the one given out "I've recently moved and haven't got round to updating it yet", now strictly this doesn't prove that they live where they say they live, what happens if there is a crash or a bump, are they not covered under our insurance!

Personally I'd play it safe. 9/10 it won't be a mystery shopper and if it is can they really hold your due diligence against you?

[Dan W.]

Some good feedback, Just had a test drive we asked for his license he had no issue providing it, and he told me hes been at 3 other places to drive cars today none of them bothered to ask interesting.

[valiant]

Dan W. said:

Couple other things to note if you are looking at vt'ing the car in the future.

Keep it in really good condition finance companies are really starting to try and charge for miniscule damage, and also they will possibly charge for collection it from you or you can drop it off at a designated site ( usually out of the way from where you are )

What about on used?

Now, I know approved used cars tend to be free from most scuffs, scrapes and minor dents but, let's face it, they are still used cars and if you look hard enough (or not so hard on some stuff I've seen) you will find a few stonechips, marked alloys and the odd scratch. If finance houses start cracking down on damage for VT purposes, how do you prove the damage was there when you bought it?

Will it go all hirecar stylee where punters end up taking a million photos to prove its condition an to protect themselves from future penalties?

I know when you hand back a car at the end of the PCP finance that all damage should be within BVLA (is them the fellows?) guidelines but do the same guidelines on damage apply when VTing or is it up to the finance house to decide what's fair wear and tear?

[Dan W.]

valiant said:

What about on used?

Now, I know approved used cars tend to be free from most scuffs, scrapes and minor dents but, let's face it, they are still used cars and if you look hard enough (or not so hard on some stuff I've seen) you will find a few stonechips, marked alloys and the odd scratch. If finance houses start cracking down on damage for VT purposes, how do you prove the damage was there when you bought it?

Will it go all hirecar stylee where punters end up taking a million photos to prove its condition an to protect themselves from future penalties?

I know when you hand back a car at the end of the PCP finance that all damage should be within BVLA (is them the fellows?) guidelines but do the same guidelines on damage apply when VTing or is it up to the finance house to decide what's fair wear and tear?

its upto the finance company to decide the damage and this is where they charge you silly amounts.

even on used cars I would say if you are buying a used on pcp, make sure there is no damage on it and if there is take a pic and make sure the dealership gives you something in writing confirming it has damage or scratches or scuffs or alloy nicks.

[kmpowell]

Currently looking to downsize my car (both physical and £).

I have a Range Rover Sport (2016 car, FDSH, excellent condition, 25k miles) currently worth circa £52k and I'm looking to trade it in for a brand new & unregistered Golf GTi at circa £30k. I'm sticking with large VW main dealers who I also large know have a Land Rover franchises in their group, because I just want rid of the RRS without the hassle... but the treatment I am getting is quite mind boggling...

The frist VW dealer (Lookers) I visited last weekend wouldn't give me a ballpark figure on the RRS, it had to be underwritten formally, which took 3 senior sales managers AND the sales executive 30mins as they inspected the vehicle with a fine tooth comb all together outside. They then spent another 30mins in the office on the internet using CAP/HPI etc coming up with a figure. Eventually we got a figure and they gave me figures on the Golf, but it was excruciating.

The figures the Lookers dealer gave me were ok, but nothing special so I have carried on looking round. Today I spotted a pre-reg advertised at a Inchcape VW dealer. It's 100 miles away so I rang up and spoke to a salesman who again immediately started the "underwritten" routine as soon as he found out about the RRS. This time the sales man refused to even start talking about the Golf until they had the RRS "formally underwritten", his words were "it's not a six grand car you're part axing so we need to have it underwritten before we can continue"... for which he sent me a "remote vehicle appraisal form" form which he asked me to print, fill out myself and send to him!

I'm seriously thinking about binning the VW if I have to go through this each and every time I see a car that may suit. But before I do is this normal practice when trading down, or just a VW thing?!?

[Mexman]

kmpowell said:

Currently looking to downsize my car (both physical and £).

I have a Range Rover Sport (2016 car, FDSH, excellent condition, 25k miles) currently worth circa £52k and I'm looking to trade it in for a brand new & unregistered Golf GTi at circa £30k. I'm sticking with large VW main dealers who I also large know have a Land Rover franchises in their group, because I just want rid of the RRS without the hassle... but the treatment I am getting is quite mind boggling...

The frist VW dealer (Lookers) I visited last weekend wouldn't give me a ballpark figure on the RRS, it had to be underwritten formally, which took 3 senior sales managers AND the sales executive 30mins as they inspected the vehicle with a fine tooth comb all together outside. They then spent another 30mins in the office on the internet using CAP/HPI etc coming up with a figure. Eventually we got a figure and they gave me figures on the Golf, but it was excruciating.

The figures the Lookers dealer gave me were ok, but nothing special so I have carried on looking round. Today I spotted a pre-reg advertised at a Inchcape VW dealer. It's 100 miles away so I rang up and spoke to a salesman who again immediately started the "underwritten" routine as soon as he found out about the RRS. This time the sales man refused to even start talking about the Golf until they had the RRS "formally underwritten", his words were "it's not a six grand car you're part axing so we need to have it underwritten before we can continue"... for which he sent me a "remote vehicle appraisal form" form which he asked me to print, fill out myself and send to him!

I'm seriously thinking about binning the VW if I have to go through this each and every time I see a car that may suit. But before I do is this normal practice when trading down, or just a VW thing?!?

No, it's not unusual, not many dealers will want to sell a 30k car and take a 50k car back.
It's just cost them 20k to sell a car and they have an expensive burden now on there hands with massive monthly depreciation and potentially disastrous repair/Bork factor liabilities.
I certainly would not be interested in stocking it so subsequently, would want to get it underwritten.
If it's so easy, sell it yourself?

[Butter Face]

Seems fair. Your car is hardly run of the mill stuff and getting anything wrong when valuing it could cost ££££.

I’d be the same. No deal until I’d seen and appraised your car.

You must see the logic in that? Anyone who gives you a ‘ballpark’ on a £50k+ car would either be:

A) offering too little which would immediately put you off
B) be offering about the right money but doing it blind which is a pretty big no no.

[Dedders]

Dan W. said:

Would like some views on providing a Driving license for test drives please.

We don't always ask to see proof of them but we do if its a customer who is new to us or possible not from our area.

had a few examples last week of what we felt were * test drive pilots killing time * we asked for their license to keep on file to say they have been on test drive with us, few of them said they didn't have their license and a few just refused to show them so we declined any test drive on that basis.


Anyone got views on if you ask for them or as a customer would you be offended if you were asked to provide your driving license for a test drive ?

If you don’t ask and it turns out they don’t have a license you could be prosecuted for permitting them to drive without a license. You should always be asking to see it and if someone refuses simply don’t allow them to test drive the car.

[grant8064]

Dan W. said:

Some good feedback, Just had a test drive we asked for his license he had no issue providing it, and he told me hes been at 3 other places to drive cars today none of them bothered to ask interesting.

For our test drives we take a photocopy of the photo card license for everyone that goes out on test drive,currently on our third ring binder for the year! Also ask them to confirm their current address whilst I have the license in my hand to make sure it matches. Also we log the time, date and reg on the photocopy for reference.

Had a few idiots get red light offences and speeding offences whilst on test drive in the past and if you can't confirm the driver you're at risk of taking the points yourself. Having a copy that's got the time and date scribbled on it makes it much easier to prove they were at fault.

95% of people seem to expect it because, lets face it, it just sounds like something you'd be asked to present. Name a hire car company that let you drive a car away without a cursory glance at your license, I can't and IMO it's the same thing.

The other 5% who have turned up to drive a car without their license get told to go home and get it. No license = no drive. They usually never come back which just goes to show how serious they were in the first place.

We get the odd screamer that don't have their license but insist on driving the car. Sometimes i'll drive it with them in the passenger seat but if that's not enough they also get shown the door. No idea why these clowns think we wouldn't ask to see it tbh.

I'm amazed when they say we're the first people that day to ask. Why would someone let an unknown member of the public just drive off in a vehicle without even the vaguest of details?

[grant8064]

HTP99 said:

We have this dilemma with mystery shoppers; the driving licence is always in a different address to the one given out "I've recently moved and haven't got round to updating it yet", now strictly this doesn't prove that they live where they say they live, what happens if there is a crash or a bump, are they not covered under our insurance!

If the license doesn't add up and they won't provide a recent utility bill with their current address f*** 'em. Mystery shopper or not due diligence should make it an absolute that they prove who they are before they take a vehicle out on to the public highway. Without sounding like a drama queen cars are dangerous, especially cars that have sat around on a forecourt getting rusty discs and which are unfamiliar to the new driver stepping into them for the first time. I get a real bee in my bonnet about this as you can probably tell.

[mcdjl]

Dedders said:

If you don’t ask and it turns out they don’t have a license you could be prosecuted for permitting them to drive without a license. You should always be asking to see it and if someone refuses simply don’t allow them to test drive the car.

That was my thinking as well. I'm surprised on occasion when I'm not asked, even if I've been seen driving into the dealers. Even if not legally an issue then it feels like it could be an insurance challenge.

[POORCARDEALER]

kmpowell said:

Currently looking to downsize my car (both physical and £).

I have a Range Rover Sport (2016 car, FDSH, excellent condition, 25k miles) currently worth circa £52k and I'm looking to trade it in for a brand new & unregistered Golf GTi at circa £30k. I'm sticking with large VW main dealers who I also large know have a Land Rover franchises in their group, because I just want rid of the RRS without the hassle... but the treatment I am getting is quite mind boggling...

The frist VW dealer (Lookers) I visited last weekend wouldn't give me a ballpark figure on the RRS, it had to be underwritten formally, which took 3 senior sales managers AND the sales executive 30mins as they inspected the vehicle with a fine tooth comb all together outside. They then spent another 30mins in the office on the internet using CAP/HPI etc coming up with a figure. Eventually we got a figure and they gave me figures on the Golf, but it was excruciating.

The figures the Lookers dealer gave me were ok, but nothing special so I have carried on looking round. Today I spotted a pre-reg advertised at a Inchcape VW dealer. It's 100 miles away so I rang up and spoke to a salesman who again immediately started the "underwritten" routine as soon as he found out about the RRS. This time the sales man refused to even start talking about the Golf until they had the RRS "formally underwritten", his words were "it's not a six grand car you're part axing so we need to have it underwritten before we can continue"... for which he sent me a "remote vehicle appraisal form" form which he asked me to print, fill out myself and send to him!

I'm seriously thinking about binning the VW if I have to go through this each and every time I see a car that may suit. But before I do is this normal practice when trading down, or just a VW thing?!?

Sell your car outright to a RR dealer for cash, then go and buy the Golf....

[Sheepshanks]

I can't recall ever being asked for my licence, and I only fairly recently started to carry it, as I have still have the paper one. Perhaps my age gets me off being asked.

With the card licence, I'd find it a bit odd if people said they didn't have it.

[silentbrown]

POORCARDEALER said:

Sell your car outright to a RR dealer for cash, then go and buy the Golf....

Or https://www.tootle.co.uk/sell-my-car-online ?

Anyone on here use that for buying stock in?