Insurance restrictions on dealer test drive routes?
Discussion
Went out over the course of the weekend to test drive a potential new toy and ran up against an unexpected issue that I wondered if anyone else had encountered: namely the (main) dealer's insurance company restricting the routes on which they can offer test drives.
The upshot of this restriction (which frustratingly I was only told about after we'd set off) was that, instead of seeing how the car in question handled on the sorts of roads I'd want to use it on (As and Bs), all I was able to experience was relatively straight dual carrigeway... not ideal for something that would fall squarely into weekend/track toy category for all but the most hardcore.
This is the first time I've hit this issue - certainly hasn't been a problem with other performance marques in the past - so just wondered if it is something that is widespread and/or becoming more common?
If so, looks like I might need to go down the route of either searching out a more accommodating dealer and/or hiring one for a day or two to make my mind up but bit frustrated about the whole affair... especially as I was in a buying mood that day.
The upshot of this restriction (which frustratingly I was only told about after we'd set off) was that, instead of seeing how the car in question handled on the sorts of roads I'd want to use it on (As and Bs), all I was able to experience was relatively straight dual carrigeway... not ideal for something that would fall squarely into weekend/track toy category for all but the most hardcore.
This is the first time I've hit this issue - certainly hasn't been a problem with other performance marques in the past - so just wondered if it is something that is widespread and/or becoming more common?
If so, looks like I might need to go down the route of either searching out a more accommodating dealer and/or hiring one for a day or two to make my mind up but bit frustrated about the whole affair... especially as I was in a buying mood that day.
There's no way the insurer will have stipulated the roads that can be driven. However, the dealer may have chosen to restrict the choice of road, either to avoid a car being stolen, or crashed and the subsequent knock on to their premium next year.
Edited by R1 Loon on Monday 2nd May 17:58
R1 Loon said:
There's no way the insurer will have stipulated the roads that can be driven. However, the dealer may have chosen to restrict the choice of road, either to avoid a car being stolen, or carshaed and the subsequent knock on to their premium next year.
That's what I'd have thought - it sounded strange that an underwriter would have the time needed to evaluate to that level of detail and/or the policy to make commercial sense. Guess it's try another dealer time...What a load of cobblers. A friend of mine test drove a new-ish Fiesta Zetec S at a car supermarket and was told they could only drive it down a dual carriageway, round a roundabout and then back to the lot. I'd have told them I'd look elsewhere. I understand they probably get a lot of dreamers, but that kind of attitude will only sell cars to the most casual of buyers.
I bought my car at a car supermarket (a different one) and when I booked the test drive, the car was sitting ready to go, warmed up with the dealer waiting by it. I was then told "go wherever you want, it's your test drive!" when I asked if he had a route in mind. Much more like the kind of attitude I like to see.
I bought my car at a car supermarket (a different one) and when I booked the test drive, the car was sitting ready to go, warmed up with the dealer waiting by it. I was then told "go wherever you want, it's your test drive!" when I asked if he had a route in mind. Much more like the kind of attitude I like to see.
R1 Loon said:
There's no way the insurer will have stipulated the roads that can be driven. However, the dealer may have chosen to restrict the choice of road, either to avoid a car being stolen, or crashed and the subsequent knock on to their premium next year.
Isn't beyond the realms of the possible, however I would have thought it far more likely that the dealer bought TP only cover for Accompanied Demonstrations and was thus trying to avoid and expensive bump.Edited by R1 Loon on Monday 2nd May 17:58
Noger said:
Isn't beyond the realms of the possible, however I would have thought it far more likely that the dealer bought TP only cover for Accompanied Demonstrations and was thus trying to avoid and expensive bump.
Very, very unlikely. Although Motor trade policies are a minefield, I can't see that sort of restriction being in play, especially when a lot of them let their staff take home cars anyway at the larger dealers.Thats just daft. I test drove a Lancer Evolution VIII a little while ago and the salesman positively encouraged me to enjoy it. Flying round B roads, round roundabouts, up and down dual carriageways, it was electrifying. He loved the car as much as I did! And when I test drove my MX5 the dealer handed me the key and told me to go and enjoy myself! I was stunned at being told to go out on a test drive on my own, even though I left my Focus keys with him.
Sounds like a load of tosh. Dealer, or more likely sales rep., has a quick set route just so that you can actually drive the car without finding out anything about it. I have exprienced sales staff who have said ' this is the route we use', which was just a fairly non descript few miles, complete waste of time.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I had this the other day (but from the other side of the table) Was trying to sell a Corolla, which I had taken is as PX at close to Glass book value, but the workshop bill to bring it to Toyota's standards was double what we expected. Ive still got to sell the Corolla at normal retail money, so have a fairly low margin, thus I can't really move on the price.
The only way to give a discount would be to artificially bump the price up at the start.
Dealer in test drive bulls
t shocker!
At the end of the day, unless you are after something extremely rare there is another dealer with the same cat who isn't going to be a dick.
The dealer should make you want to spend your money with them, as did both (main) dealers I've ever bought cars from. They made me feel comfortable and happy with the purchase by giving me the freedom to make my own decision after test drives.
t shocker!At the end of the day, unless you are after something extremely rare there is another dealer with the same cat who isn't going to be a dick.
The dealer should make you want to spend your money with them, as did both (main) dealers I've ever bought cars from. They made me feel comfortable and happy with the purchase by giving me the freedom to make my own decision after test drives.
Benbay001 said:
What's the car? (the one you test drove?)
Would prefer not to be too precise - relatively small production and may well end up using the same dealer for servicing so don't want to cause any unnecessary issues - but modern and comfortably sub 5 seconds to 60 with little in the way of driver aids. So I do understand their desire for caution...I've never heard of the insurers stipulating anything re a route - thats cobblers
However many dealerships do have a fixed test route or options of several. They know how long it'll take etc should something go wrong. Any good dealership should have a decent route available thats covers most road types.
Sounds like lazyness to me, ask the DP if you have a test with him & see what he says
However many dealerships do have a fixed test route or options of several. They know how long it'll take etc should something go wrong. Any good dealership should have a decent route available thats covers most road types.
Sounds like lazyness to me, ask the DP if you have a test with him & see what he says
LooneyTunes said:
Would prefer not to be too precise - relatively small production and may well end up using the same dealer for servicing so don't want to cause any unnecessary issues - but modern and comfortably sub 5 seconds to 60 with little in the way of driver aids. So I do understand their desire for caution...
It's possible that someone has written off one of them on a test drive so they have decided on this new route in conjunction with the Insurer as a form of 'risk management'.I'm sure if you went back and showed you had the funds to purchase/order one so they knew you were serious you could get a proper drive
May not be an insurance stipulation in the strictest sense however dealership excesses are often so large that they are effectively self insured for most intents and purposes.
If the dealer has had a few problems with enthusiastic test drives the DP may well have decided to restrict the route.
Whether this is a short sighted policy is another matter but it is feasible the salesman may have just been giving a abrievated reason for the route and not just bullstting you.
However as your serious a quick call to the DP should resolve the issue one way or another. I doubt they'll pass up the opportunity to sell a car if you explain the situation.
If the dealer has had a few problems with enthusiastic test drives the DP may well have decided to restrict the route.
Whether this is a short sighted policy is another matter but it is feasible the salesman may have just been giving a abrievated reason for the route and not just bulls
tting you. However as your serious a quick call to the DP should resolve the issue one way or another. I doubt they'll pass up the opportunity to sell a car if you explain the situation.
What a poor decision from the dealer. I've never been one so unfortunatly I can't see this story from the dealers point of view. But I remember walking into a showroom and asking to test drive a Zr 160 aged 18. I was half expecting them to say no, but they let me take it out on my own route and give it some welly... I bought the car.
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