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What is the deal with test drives?

Sorry to be so stupid but just a few questions as a result of the following.

Went to a second had car sales place with a really good reputation because I saw a 9n polo which was really nice! 1.2 55bhp electric windows, central locking, less than 13k on the clock! and only 6k.

When he noticed I had a polo he said "ahh you're another adicted to the ways of vag then" "like any other man and certain women" I thought! But in the real world I just said yeah I love em!

Anyway, to my surprise and delight he said "wanna take it for a drive" So I accepted and expected to drive around for 5 mins with him in the passenger seat. So he chucked me the keys and said "take as long as you want with it, I'll see you later, enjoy"!

Now when I bought this (my first) car I only test drove 3 other cars, and they all came with me. I assumed that was always the case but now I think that as long as you leave your own car there then they'll let you go for a spin on your own? I now regret not asking to test drive the super hot alpha 147 hehe.

Sorry to ramble on! But do most places let you out on your own? Or is it usually a case of they'll just measure up each person I.E if they trust you or if you have your own car to leave behind??

And what is it like from proper dealers too? Do they always go with you?

Again sorry to ramble! Just wondering.

Thanks

Ash

I have to say I've only really test-driven one car, and that was the Polo I;ve got now. The sales chap came out with me and my Dad on both drives. They have a set route that is about 10 miles or so, which includes some bypass and fast road driving so you get a good feel for the car.

I have heard though that these car "supermarkets" will let you go off for a drive and see what you think of the car, my sister's bloke has done this a few times in the past - first thing you do of course is find the nearest long stretch of road or bypass and put the pedal to the metal

I think if you look and sound genuine enough and you're not obviously just looking to kill some time on a Sunday afternoon, then most places would be happy to let you go for a spin. The vast majority of main dealers would probably have someone go out with you though, it has always been that way from my memory of such things...

AshLeMacq wrote: Sorry to ramble on! But do most places let you out on your own? Or is it usually a case of they'll just measure up each person I.E if they trust you or if you have your own car to leave behind??


Thanks

Ash

I think it's probabley down (a)what car you leave behind, go in with a £50 banger and you've got no chance of going out alone(b)how you look and (c)how many staff they have available at the time

don't you have to be over 25 to test drive on your own? I that's what I was told a few times when I went to test drive the CTR/Golf GTI

heheh i think they just reckon on you leaving something usable behind if you do scarper - unless you've just nicked it and are driving around in plain sunlight, it can probably be traced back

heck, there's me before christmas, sproglet of 22, with mother and/or family friend in tow (the saab driver , looking at various secondhand beauties on dealer forecourts........... noooooooooooooo trouble getting a test drive (and thank christ i did ... didnt like a one*) ... one of them came with, the rest didnt bother, and i'm sure i could have been out FAR longer than the paranoid android in the passenger seat allowed.

* ok, i was pretty hooked on the Megane and the Felicia, but both of their engines were minged.

Tahrey1043 wrote:i'm sure i could have been out FAR longer than the paranoid android in the passenger seat allowed.

You had Marvin with you?

Any hoo all the test drives i've been on someone has come with me/me and my mum . Two of which were form vw so that's understandable of which the dealer also insists in sitting as front passenger. Landrover did the same but the guy wasn't bothered about where he sat. Second hand ford dealer came with us tho i think if it wasn't so close to closing he wouldn't have done but he squished him self in to the back while me and mum sat in the front.

i've only test driven with someone else with me, but never to a strict route

i've been told they used to let people out on their own but dont due to insurance reasons now

I test drove my current car on my own - well my bird was with me! Had a good 20 mins thrash to see what it was like.

I think it depends on the place really.