car test drive question

[MrMeToo]

Recently finishing full time education and landing a job quicker than expected I am now thinking of getting a new car. (not brand new but new to me).

Anyway, I am in the market for a hot hatch and not really knowing exactly what I want I would like to take as many possible cars for a test drive.

My question is do I need to bring or show them anything before they will let me test drive the car?
Do I need to book or give them any notice before wanting to test drive a vehicle?
Or do I walk in, point at the car I want to drive and the salesman just hands me the keys?

This may seem like a simple or none question but I have never had the income to be this picky before and this is completely new to me so I just want to know what to expect.

 

[Maccapacca]

Driving license is all you need, insurance will be by the dealer unless you're buying private

 

[Housey]

Go and look at a few cars, establish which ones interest you and discuss it with the sales people. Tell them your situation, when you plan to buy, when and how you are thinking you will pay for it and if you are serious getting a test drive should be no problem. Anyone who says "we don't do test drives" or "you are to young" simply walk away from making it clear "then I will go to somewhere that does and thank you for your time".

Take your driving licence. Turning up as a young lad and simply asking for a test drive will get many push backs, going in, speaking with a sales person and telling them what you are looking for, how you plan to buy and when should see you taken seriously. You will still come across arrogant idiots however as the motor trade tends to have far more than it's fair share, but any good dealer should look after you.

 

[MrMeToo]

Excellent. Thanks for the advise.

On a test drive I understand the salesman comes with you for obvious reasons but will they have a specified route or do you just drive where you like within reason?

Also is there a time limit on how long they can last?

 

[tigerstyle]

On a test drive I understand the salesman comes with you for obvious reasons but will they have a specified route or do you just drive where you like within reason?

Also is there a time limit on how long they can last?

Everywhere is different, every sales person will be able to bend rules as they see fit to get a sale. Just go and have a look!

 

[Skilid]

I am in near enough the same situation at the moment.

I test drove a Focus ST today and explained to the salesman that I am not looking to buy just yet but I am checking out a few cars and wondered if he'd be kind enough to let me try the ST. He booked me a date, took me out in it, gave me his card and said 'give me a call when you've chosen which car you like'. Very helpful. Enjoyed the car too.

Completely different experience when I phoned Renault to try a Clio 200. They said and I quote 'sorry, I don't have the budget for any Renaultsport models and don't have any plans to get any. Unless we get any part-ex then you can't drive one, so don't keep your hopes up'. Complete contrast.

 

[GeX]

You can't expect them to get a car in just so can have a test drive of that model?!

 

[Skilid]

You can't expect them to get a car in just so can have a test drive of that model?!

It wasn't that. It was his attitude and the way he said it.

Was more interested in his cup of coffee by the sounds of it rather than a potential customer...

 

[MrMeToo]

I am in near enough the same situation at the moment.

I test drove a Focus ST today and explained to the salesman that I am not looking to buy just yet but I am checking out a few cars and wondered if he'd be kind enough to let me try the ST. He booked me a date, took me out in it, gave me his card and said 'give me a call when you've chosen which car you like'. Very helpful. Enjoyed the car too.

Completely different experience when I phoned Renault to try a Clio 200. They said and I quote 'sorry, I don't have the budget for any Renaultsport models and don't have any plans to get any. Unless we get any part-ex then you can't drive one, so don't keep your hopes up'. Complete contrast.

How far in advance did you book the ST test drive? Was it a car they already had on the forecourt?

These are 2 cars on my potential short list also but I guess the service you receive will be down to the sales person at the time. I will not take it to heart if they won't let me test drive a car but will just take it as their loss of a potential sale.

have you test driven anything else?

 

[Skilid]

How far in advance did you book the ST test drive? Was it a car they already had on the forecourt?

I saw the car on the forecourt, explained my situation, asked nicely if I could test drive it. He said "not today, we don't have enough staff" (knowing I wasn't buying obviously. But he gave me his card and asked me to call him. I did, he booked me a time, we took it out.

These are 2 cars on my potential short list also but I guess the service you receive will be down to the sales person at the time. I will not take it to heart if they won't let me test drive a car but will just take it as their loss of a potential sale.

have you test driven anything else?

No, first car so far. I would like to try a Clio 200 but it looks as though it's going to be a pain to try one.

 

[K.C. Leblanc]

Everywhere is different, every sales person will be able to bend rules as they see fit to get a sale. Just go and have a look!

I was looking for a car for the g/f. On dealer let me borrow the car all morning to drive it 20 miles (he did ask me to put some fuel in it) so the g/f who was working that day could see it.

Ended up taking the car home and getting a lift to the dealer with my dad to pay for the car and pick up my own car.