Purchase without a test drive?

[Kill_Phil]

Would you purchase a volkswagen franchise approved vehicle without being able to do a test drive? Car is an 18 plate with 2 year warranty.

Covid seems to have closed the dealerships so test drives are out of the window; just wondering will this be the the new normal for the foreseeable?

Car seems in fantastic condition and would still do a visible check; I know you can return/reject the car within a 14 day period and they activley said its a no squibbles return period but still would no doubt be a lot of hassle and still have a niggling doubt.

 

[HoneyBadger]

No, I wouldn’t. ALWAYS test drive any car you’re going to potentially purchase.

 

[ShiWarrior]

well,

for 1 its only 2 years old
2nd its still under warranty
3 make sure you get it in writing that its not been inspected when you pay for the car and make sure you get it in writing it comes with a 2 year warranty etc

Also, print of the advert first, soon as you pay for the car they will take the advert down

but as said above test drive always yes, but in this case, its not possible, just make sure you go over it when delivered and make sure you write down on their paperwork "not checked" or something

 

[wesley]

NOPE! They will find the way to fob you off!

 

[Maccapacca]

Is it anything special apart from being new to you? Is it particularly cheap?

If it’s a no and no then yes I’d take it.

 

[Will Gill]

If you'd asked this a year ago I'd say you were mad and you must 100% test drive it before purchasing, but these are weird and wonderful times

 

[ShiWarrior]

If you'd asked this a year ago I'd say you were mad and you must 100% test drive it before purchasing, but these are weird and wonderful times

agreed

im sure being a VW dealer, they will understand (covid)

otherwise yes, 100% test drive it

 

[Kill_Phil]

Is it anything special apart from being new to you? Is it particularly cheap?

If it’s a no and no then yes I’d take it.

Well it's priced well and doesn't seem to be too many at the price point that are franchise approved. Its only special in the sense I've wanted one for a while and new role at work means I can make the leap

If you'd asked this a year ago I'd say you were mad and you must 100% test drive it before purchasing, but these are weird and wonderful times

Exactly. I've always test drove and something the old man drove into me! Even though heart is saying go for it, may need to be sensible and see how covid pans out

 

[s-man]

I did exactly that back in September. Felt wrong in a way as I've always bought privately and always had a test drive previously but we agreed up front that if I arrived to pick it up and it wasn't right in any way then I would walk (and be refunded). I had paid for it in full up front too - which was also totally alien!

It went smoothly on the day and, touch wood, everything's been ok so far. Not sure I'd recommend it but, obviously it wasn't a deal breaker for me.

 

[HoneyBadger]

Surely if a dealer is open to organise you actually purchasing the car, you can take it out first?

 

[Kill_Phil]

Surely if a dealer is open to organise you actually purchasing the car, you can take it out first?

Did think the same myself although by the sounds of it all done remotely

 

[Kenai]

Surely if a dealer is open to organise you actually purchasing the car, you can take it out first?

Don't think so - they're not 'open' as such but they're allowed to operate what is in effect a 'Click and Collect' service

 

[rodenal]

Assuming you've driven an example of the same car, know you like it and can pick up any issues on delivery then yes I guess I would given the age of the car, but would be particularly clear on condition described and what you considered this to mean.

As above keep a full copy of the advert

 

[SDK^]

I got my last 4 cars without a test drive, not even viewing them in the metal. I find the internet and YouTube provides me enough information to make a decision.

 

[mollymoo]

I'd buy it without a test drive, if you find anything wrong with it hand it back for a refund.

 

[paradigm]

I bought my 440i “click and collect”. The day I went to pick it up I got to drive and inspect it first before signing the purchase.

 

[Rroff]

Some of the places doing click and deliver are now doing 14 day no quibble money back as long as the car is in the same condition it was delivered in - though I can imagine the actual quality of that service will vary place to place. (It is probably somewhat law with a transaction of this nature anyway but some are making a big deal of it).

VW's Das Welt program is usually pretty good but I've had issues with it before.

 

[GinG]

I bought my 440i “click and collect”. The day I went to pick it up I got to drive and inspect it first before signing the purchase.

What an amazing world we live in

 

[cheesyboy]

I've bought a couple of cars where I sat in on a test drive, due to no insurance cover. Both served me well.

Would probably want at least that, though a franchise approved used car is less of a gamble than my private purchases.

 

[OldKitMan]

I expect if you pay for the goods outwith the showroom then you probably have a 14 day cool off period. I know back in the day when people were buying kitchens the ploy was to get them to come into the store to pay and sign on the dotted line as you lost your cancellation rights compared to if you had signed up in your house.