Are Car Dealers Still Open ?

[V8RX7]

I thought car dealers were still open, as last time, click and collect etc

Have been calling Inchcape Cheltenham and their phones ring out despite their website saying they are open - hence I'm wondering if they just haven't been updated yet.

[SuperPav]

Can't speak for all brands, but should generally be open for servicing and for customer deliveries/handover.

I can tell you that ours are open with skeleton staff for the above though, so getting through to them is sometimes tricky.

[MattyD803]

No, car dealers (as in showrooms) are not allowed to be open under current rules.

Inchcape Cheltenham included, although may have a few people dotted around for handovers, but no salesmen on the floor.

I understand the sales people (both normal sales and business) are working from home, so you'll need to email them.

Servicing/repairs remain open as I understand.

[The Rotrex Kid]

MattyD803 said:

No, car dealers (as in showrooms) are not allowed to be open under current rules.

Inchcape Cheltenham included, although may have a few people dotted around for handovers, but no salesmen on the floor.

I understand the sales people (both normal sales and business) are working from home, so you'll need to email them.

Servicing/repairs remain open as I understand.

I'm in the showroom. Manning the phones, taking internet enquiries and arranging handovers.

[Bombjack]

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay...

Businesses and venues which must close
To reduce social contact, the regulations require some businesses to close and impose restrictions on how some businesses provide goods and services. The full list of businesses required to close can be found in the guidance on closing certain businesses and venues in England, but includes:

non-essential retail, such as clothing and homeware stores, vehicle showrooms (other than for rental), betting shops, tailors, tobacco and vape shops, electronic goods and mobile phone shops, auction houses (except for auctions of livestock or agricultural equipment) and market stalls selling non-essential goods. These venues can continue to be able to operate click-and-collect (where goods are pre-ordered and collected off the premises) and delivery services.

[vikingaero]

Bombjack said:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay...

Businesses and venues which must close
To reduce social contact, the regulations require some businesses to close and impose restrictions on how some businesses provide goods and services. The full list of businesses required to close can be found in the guidance on closing certain businesses and venues in England, but includes:

non-essential retail, such as clothing and homeware stores, vehicle showrooms (other than for rental), betting shops, tailors, tobacco and vape shops, electronic goods and mobile phone shops, auction houses (except for auctions of livestock or agricultural equipment) and market stalls selling non-essential goods. These venues can continue to be able to operate click-and-collect (where goods are pre-ordered and collected off the premises) and delivery services.

Are showrooms not getting around this by offering Click and Collect?

[Bombjack]

vikingaero said:

Are showrooms not getting around this by offering Click and Collect?

That's why I highlighted that part too.

[HTP99]

The Rotrex Kid said:

MattyD803 said:

No, car dealers (as in showrooms) are not allowed to be open under current rules.

Inchcape Cheltenham included, although may have a few people dotted around for handovers, but no salesmen on the floor.

I understand the sales people (both normal sales and business) are working from home, so you'll need to email them.

Servicing/repairs remain open as I understand.

I'm in the showroom. Manning the phones, taking internet enquiries and arranging handovers.

This, showrooms aren't open for customers to come in and browse, take test drives, discuss cars/deals etc but sales staff will be in dealing with remote enquiries telephone, internet, e-mail etc.

I'm in, I drove past the Jaguar dealership yesterday and there were sales staff at their desks too.

[Toyoda]

So is it a case of you can buy a car but can't look at it let alone test drive it until you've fully paid for it?

[HTP99]

Toyoda said:

So is it a case of you can buy a car but can't look at it let alone test drive it until you've fully paid for it?

Yep.

[SuperPav]

Toyoda said:

So is it a case of you can buy a car but can't look at it let alone test drive it until you've fully paid for it?

You can place an order remotely, yes.

Similarly if you previously ordered a car and it arrives, it can be PDI'd and you can go and collect it. Alternatively the dealer can deliver a car.

Yes you can't do test drives, you also can't technically have a proper in-depth handover (those brands that offer such things) but I think this is still happening in some cases.


The above should apply for used cars as well but obviously the implications of not being able to have a nosey/test drives are potentially more significant in this case. I suspect that some less than squeaky clean used car dealers are open "as normal" just without test drives.

[Xenoous]

What about collecting a car from nearly 200 miles away?

[V8RX7]

Thanks gents - they have now contacted me.

Yes it seems it is just click and collect rather than (as I hoped) that I could place a deposit and then examine it.

Key worker blah blah before the usual suspects jump up and down

[MattyD803]

The Rotrex Kid said:

I'm in the showroom. Manning the phones, taking internet enquiries and arranging handovers.

Sure. But, but the 'showroom' is not open so to speak. i.e. to show cars. As per the Govt rules. Inchcape obviously aren't operating the same strategy as your team if no one is answering calls...

Conversely, I have had an email conversation with Listers VW in Stratford and Lookers Cupra in Stockport this morning, but they might very be at home....?

[vikingaero]

HTP99 said:

Toyoda said:

So is it a case of you can buy a car but can't look at it let alone test drive it until you've fully paid for it?

Yep.

I'm looking at cars now on eBay/AT etc and some dealers are allowing sanitised and unaccompanied test drives.

[V8RX7]

vikingaero said:

I'm looking at cars now on eBay/AT etc and some dealers are allowing sanitised and unaccompanied test drives.

I think you'll find they are small dealers (without showrooms) or the ads haven't been updated

[HTP99]

vikingaero said:

HTP99 said:

Toyoda said:

So is it a case of you can buy a car but can't look at it let alone test drive it until you've fully paid for it?

Yep.

I'm looking at cars now on eBay/AT etc and some dealers are allowing sanitised and unaccompanied test drives.

They shouldn't be doing so I believe, however I do know of dealer groups doing this too.

[The Rotrex Kid]

HTP99 said:

vikingaero said:

HTP99 said:

Toyoda said:

So is it a case of you can buy a car but can't look at it let alone test drive it until you've fully paid for it?

Yep.

I'm looking at cars now on eBay/AT etc and some dealers are allowing sanitised and unaccompanied test drives.

They shouldn't be doing so I believe, however I do know of dealer groups doing this too.

Yes, I've had a phone call this morning from someone wanting to drive a car and got a snarky 'well, so and so is doing it'

More fool them. I don't want to be the one getting caught for it thanks!

[vikingaero]

The Rotrex Kid said:

HTP99 said:

vikingaero said:

HTP99 said:

Toyoda said:

So is it a case of you can buy a car but can't look at it let alone test drive it until you've fully paid for it?

Yep.

I'm looking at cars now on eBay/AT etc and some dealers are allowing sanitised and unaccompanied test drives.

They shouldn't be doing so I believe, however I do know of dealer groups doing this too.

Yes, I've had a phone call this morning from someone wanting to drive a car and got a snarky 'well, so and so is doing it'

More fool them. I don't want to be the one getting caught for it thanks!

in real terms the risk will be low. If someone wants a test drive from a small trader they are unlikely to grass them up. And realistically will there be anyone policing it?

[HTP99]

The Rotrex Kid said:

HTP99 said:

vikingaero said:

HTP99 said:

Toyoda said:

So is it a case of you can buy a car but can't look at it let alone test drive it until you've fully paid for it?

Yep.

I'm looking at cars now on eBay/AT etc and some dealers are allowing sanitised and unaccompanied test drives.

They shouldn't be doing so I believe, however I do know of dealer groups doing this too.

Yes, I've had a phone call this morning from someone wanting to drive a car and got a snarky 'well, so and so is doing it'

More fool them. I don't want to be the one getting caught for it thanks!

Dealers are getting checked too by Trading Standards.

It is difficult and odd as, I should imagine like us, for many dealers the only way to the service department is through the main door and showroom, so even though the showroom is shut it is actually open, service and parts customers can wander through and sit in the waiting area. Of course then they ae bored and like to have a chat.

Currently all of us are in dealing with remote enquiries (of which there aren't enough for 3 of us), there are service staff and customers in the building so the whole stay at home mantra is bks as far as us are concerned as there are sales staff needlessly in the building, we get bored, we go for a wander and chat to other member of staff.