Page 2 | Aibu to expect to test drive 3 cars at a dealership?

Monvelo · 2025-04-19T15:03:03+00:00

Went to a big car dealership just to have a first look at some options. After looking, there were three types of car in the running so I asked about booking in test drives for a future date. I was told that they only let you test drive the one you are definitely interested in, having helped you narrow it down to just one. The reasons given were that it would take over an hour of staff time, it would be too confusing to me as the driver, and it's just not how they do things. I just don't understand this, based on price, space, mileage, reg etc, there is nothing to pick between the three types of car, so surely I would want to drive all three to see what I prefer!

LlynTegid · 19/04/2025 18:10

For someone with a limitation on what they can do, it could be treating them unfairly. Say someone with a back condition.

Go elsewhere and let others know.

Sladuf · 19/04/2025 18:37

Monvelo · 19/04/2025 16:14

It was a big car supermarket type place, how on earth can't they be arsed?! It's literally their job.

Was it a branch of The Car Shop by any chance? I had a similar experience a few years back. In the end the one car they would allow me to test drive conked out within 2 minutes and the car went into limp mode 🤣. As we were walking back to the showroom the salesman was very apologetic. His attitude however completely changed when we got back - after walking in the rain - and I said I wasn’t willing to buy the car I’d “test drove.” The laugh of it was the joker seemed to think my 2 minute journey still counted as a test drive!

I turned it around on him: “would you buy a car you took on a test drive that conked out after 2 mins?” ”Oh it’ll be a quick fix. We’ll sort whatever that issue was.”
I couldn’t wait to leave and won’t ever return to any of their branches after reading quite a few horror stories online.

Calliopespa · 19/04/2025 18:41

Sladuf · 19/04/2025 18:37

Was it a branch of The Car Shop by any chance? I had a similar experience a few years back. In the end the one car they would allow me to test drive conked out within 2 minutes and the car went into limp mode 🤣. As we were walking back to the showroom the salesman was very apologetic. His attitude however completely changed when we got back - after walking in the rain - and I said I wasn’t willing to buy the car I’d “test drove.” The laugh of it was the joker seemed to think my 2 minute journey still counted as a test drive!

I turned it around on him: “would you buy a car you took on a test drive that conked out after 2 mins?” ”Oh it’ll be a quick fix. We’ll sort whatever that issue was.”
I couldn’t wait to leave and won’t ever return to any of their branches after reading quite a few horror stories online.

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I wonder what he actually thought the test drive was supposed to flush out if breaking down and walking back wasn’t it!

Yellowtulipsdancing · 19/04/2025 18:49

We booked a test drive of a car, having previously visited the showroom. Turned up and it had a flat battery … less than two years olds. So we asked to drive another model we were interested in as they had wasted our time. Then went back to drive the model we did nit drive the first time, but refused the car with flat battery for second trips.

Sladuf · 19/04/2025 18:56

Calliopespa · 19/04/2025 18:41

I wonder what he actually thought the test drive was supposed to flush out if breaking down and walking back wasn’t it!

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I couldn’t believe he even tried to continue selling me that car after that. One time I have no regrets for laughing in someone’s face. As a buyer you couldn’t ask for a better red flag if a car can’t even last a test drive.

Calliopespa · 19/04/2025 18:58

Sladuf · 19/04/2025 18:56

I couldn’t believe he even tried to continue selling me that car after that. One time I have no regrets for laughing in someone’s face. As a buyer you couldn’t ask for a better red flag if a car can’t even last a test drive.

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Well in fairness it started… He probably couldn’t believe his luck it even made it out of the forecourt! 🤣

Sladuf · 19/04/2025 19:20

Calliopespa · 19/04/2025 18:58

Well in fairness it started… He probably couldn’t believe his luck it even made it out of the forecourt! 🤣

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Based on a 3 day old Trustpilot review I’ve just read, I think you’re right! Someone else’s experience:

”The used A-Class I purchased actually broke down during the test drive…”

Bikergran · 19/04/2025 19:51

Well, they obviously don't want your business!!! I test drove 3 variants of the car I bought. No problem at all. (BMW/Mini dealership)

BeaTwix · 19/04/2025 19:58

I had problems getting a test drive last time I bought a car.

Cash buyer. Golf/ A3/ BMW 1 series budget.
It really annoyed me.

I've driven VW for years. Got skoda in the end. They were helpful.

HeddaGarbled · 19/04/2025 20:04

I’ve never quite understood the point of test drives. I think people just do it for entertainment. You’re only pootling round the block; you’re not on Top Gear.

Original poster

Monvelo · 19/04/2025 20:05

@HeddaGarbled I completely disagree, I've driven some hire cars I've hated! I need to know I'm not going to hate a car I've spent thousands on.

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FieldInWhichFucksAreGrownIsBarren · 19/04/2025 20:07

mainecooncatonahottinroof · 19/04/2025 16:28

I was surprised when DC1 pulled up on their own in our drive in the car they were test driving - now it was just the one but I didn't realise dealerships would let the cars go out without a member of staff?

Last few cars I've taken out by myself. It's a shame really as my favourite test drive was the one where the young, cock sure salesperson came out with me, turned green and kept reminding me of the speed limit 🤣

rwalker · 19/04/2025 20:10

These places have tighter margins and don’t want to spend hours with you
so whilst it a lot of money for you to spend there only a small margin in it for them
if they took 3 people out in 1 car each they’d have a chance of selling 3 cars
taking 1 person out in 3 cars they have a chance of selling 1

Swiftie1878 · 19/04/2025 20:13

Monvelo · 19/04/2025 16:14

It was a big car supermarket type place, how on earth can't they be arsed?! It's literally their job.

They are on tight margins.
Go to the dedicated dealerships of the cars you like, test drive them there, then go back to the car warehouse to buy your car of choice at a lower price.
Bear in mind, you may even get a better price at the actual dealership though!

Winifredtabago · 19/04/2025 20:23

HeddaGarbled · 19/04/2025 20:04

I’ve never quite understood the point of test drives. I think people just do it for entertainment. You’re only pootling round the block; you’re not on Top Gear.

Your obviously not someone who enjoys driving. There can be a big difference in how different cars feel to drive.

JoanIsNotAwful · 19/04/2025 20:27

rwalker · 19/04/2025 20:10

These places have tighter margins and don’t want to spend hours with you
so whilst it a lot of money for you to spend there only a small margin in it for them
if they took 3 people out in 1 car each they’d have a chance of selling 3 cars
taking 1 person out in 3 cars they have a chance of selling 1

Or, refusing to let anyone test out more than one car, they end up selling 0

Jessica5678 · 19/04/2025 20:28

HeddaGarbled · 19/04/2025 20:04

I’ve never quite understood the point of test drives. I think people just do it for entertainment. You’re only pootling round the block; you’re not on Top Gear.

I’ve test driven one I liked on paper and it made a horrible booming noise once over 60mph - no way was I buying it, though I did buy and love the same car with a bigger engine.

One a few years later I liked on paper, test drove it and discovered it hesitated every time I put my foot down, the seat was uncomfortable despite multiple adjustments, the gear stick was fiddly and I didn’t like the rear visibility.

I won’t buy a car unless I’ve driven it including at motorway speed and I tell them when I book it that I will be doing more than pootling round the block. I don’t do it for entertainment or for the sake of it - I’ve test driven six cars in my life and I bought four of them!

Helen1625 · 19/04/2025 20:39

We were looking for a car a couple of months ago. One garage we went to felt like the sales guy was telling us which car to buy. Too pushy, steering us towards certain cars, asking too many (irrelevant) questions. He didn't get a sale.

We went to test drive elsewhere, anything that we were interested in, they just went and got the keys and left us to have a browse. Much better experience. Going to the expense of buying a car is a big commitment, you should be able to test drive and see what you are happy with. If they deny you that, walk away.

Tiredallthetimeneedsleep · 19/04/2025 20:58

mainecooncatonahottinroof · 19/04/2025 16:28

I was surprised when DC1 pulled up on their own in our drive in the car they were test driving - now it was just the one but I didn't realise dealerships would let the cars go out without a member of staff?

I did this once, drove on the motorway for 4 junctions, turned around, popped home to hang out the washing and returned to the dealership. Didn't by THAT car, but did go on to buy one from there a few weeks later

JustSaying10 · 19/04/2025 21:04

Maybe they figure you're not going to buy. I have noticed that sales people often seem to know, even before I realise it myself!

Philandbill · 19/04/2025 21:09

Of course you're not being unreasonable. Buying a car is a huge expense and you'll need to check it out properly. We said no to a car on second viewing as they wouldn't let me test drive it because DH had already taken it out. Bloody patronising as they looked at me with that "you're just a woman" face. In fact I have more interest in cars than DH does. We gave our money to the garage that was happy for both of us to try the car, we just left our car keys as security and showed our driving licences, both of which I thought was very reasonable.

Original poster

Monvelo · 19/04/2025 21:14

JustSaying10 · 19/04/2025 21:04

Maybe they figure you're not going to buy. I have noticed that sales people often seem to know, even before I realise it myself!

Well I've got to get a car from somewhere, hopefully not them anymore!

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FairlyTired · 19/04/2025 21:16

If you like the cars they have, just ask to drive one, say you don't like it, ask to drive the next, say you don't like it and try the third. Then select the one you want if it's still available.

FairlyTired · 19/04/2025 21:19

HeddaGarbled · 19/04/2025 20:04

I’ve never quite understood the point of test drives. I think people just do it for entertainment. You’re only pootling round the block; you’re not on Top Gear.

Things like height on the road, comfort of seat when driving and feel of the drive can't really be told properly without driving it.
I love our car but haven't liked hire cars despite being "nicer" models.

Niallig32839 · 19/04/2025 21:23

Going into a dealership with the expectation to test drive so many isn’t how it normally goes, if you went to see a car, drove it then decided to try another it would likely be handled differently. A good salesperson and customer ready to buy a car has done some research and has some idea what they want so can narrow down the car pretty well. Shows the sales consultant you might be wasting time and not any commitment to buying or near ready to buy. It’s nothing to do with how much your spending as in almost all dealerships the commission isn’t related to value of the car. I’ve worked in the car industry for around 8 dealerships.