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Original poster

Buying a car without test driving

15 replies

Choseausername6 · 03/02/2021 13:01

Hi, not sure where to post this question so apologies if it’s in the wrong place.

Me and my partner have separated and I have been left without a car. I live somewhere that I can’t really survive without one especially with 3 kids In the winter, so desperately need a new one. I have been looking at cars online but obviously right now I’m not able to test drive, most dealers seem to be offering home delivery or ‘click and collect’. I’m not a fussy car driver to be honest and I’ve never actually owned or bought my own car before but if it goes and is safe I would probably be happy with it.
Is it a really bad idea to buy without test driving? Thanks 😊

OP posts:

Original poster

Choseausername6 · 03/02/2021 13:02

Sorry should have said that I’m buying used, not new!

OP posts:

Arrierttyclock · 03/02/2021 13:06

We lease cars from contract cars so you can't test drive but our last one was perfect and got one coming next month that we haven't test driven either

Iheartmysmart · 03/02/2021 13:11

You would probably be okay if you chose something you have either already driven or is a similar size. I don’t think I’d want to go with an unknown car without test driving it. I remember test driving a car I had my heart set on and absolutely hated it, another that I couldn’t get a good driving position in and one that had really poor visibility for me. I’m very short though which doesn’t help.

Do you get the option to return or exchange the car if you don’t like it?

ThePreviousRooster · 03/02/2021 13:15

I bought one last month. Paid in full on collection but dealership gave written guarantee it could be returned for full refund within 7 days if it didn't suit.

Toorapid · 03/02/2021 13:19

I'm not sure what you learn from a test drive TBH.

BarbaraofSeville · 03/02/2021 13:21

I don't know if they sell cars in your budget, but Cazoo, Cinch and another one that I can't remember, who all seem to be marketing themselves as the new way to buy a decent used car (online, no haggling, arrives at your door) have a few days cooling off period.

But when I looked, they seemed quite expensive compared with a local main dealer, but I only looked at a couple of cars.

BarbaraofSeville · 03/02/2021 13:25

@Toorapid

I'm not sure what you learn from a test drive TBH.

Well, lets see. Whether or not you can get comfortable to drive it and what the visibility is like. What all the controls feel like. Whether the seatbelt can be adjusted to fit. I find a lot of cars have terrible visibility to the rear. In the OPs case, whether she can get her 3 DC and any luggage in it. Whether the accleration etc suits. I've driven lots of different types of cars on hire and have a list of makes and models that I'd never actually buy myself.

JustCallMeGriffin · 03/02/2021 13:28

@Toorapid

I'm not sure what you learn from a test drive TBH.

Is the driving position comfortable? Do you have good visibility?

As a short person those questions are just as important as mechanical soundness when choosing a car and ones that can only be answered by physically getting in and driving it.

@Choseausername6 a test drive is no guarantee of mechanical soundness so providing there's a no quibble return policy that others have mentioned I'd take a chance during lockdown with a purchase like that.

I'd never buy a private used car without a test drive and a mechanic going over it though.

Original poster

Choseausername6 · 03/02/2021 13:37

Thanks everyone, I guess I am worrying about nothing. I’ve always just driven ex’s car, chosen by him, he’s over 6ft and I’m 5,2 so I’ve never had a car that was good for my height anyway!

OP posts:

Neenan · 03/02/2021 20:33

I bought nearly new from Mini, car is perfect and I could have rejected it when I collected it if it wasn’t what I wanted.

Clymene · 03/02/2021 20:37

I would only buy from a reputable dealer at the moment. You need to be able to return it if you don't like it.

And a test drive is crucial! Like a PP, I had done loads of research and totally decided what my new (to me) car was going to be. I hated driving it!

Worth investing in a what car sort of magazine to help you decide what things are important to you

Northernsoullover · 03/02/2021 20:43

I bought online from a main dealer. I could have returned it if I didn't like it. My friend bought from cinch but when I looked a similar car (same year) with more miles was 2k more expensive

HilaryBriss · 04/02/2021 08:32

I've been driving 30+ years, have owned cars all that time and have never test driven any of them. It's been fine

calliealbert · 04/02/2021 09:29

last one was perfect

WombatChocolate · 04/02/2021 15:37

You might as well have something that suits you and you enjoy sitting in and driving. Assuming you’ll have it for a few years, it’s a big expense and not much fun to drive an uncomfortable car.

Definitely try to test drive or order something you’ve driven before. Even with these money back things, because you’ll have only driven the one car, unless it’s truly terrible, you’re not likely to return it.

It is difficult at the moment.

I bought a car back in July when there were still some restrictions. Bought it unseen but it was same car as one we were trading in, plus it was a main dealer, so there wasn’t much risk of short-arse me not being able to reach the pedals comfortably or managing the controls.

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