My last experience…3 years ago as I am due to change end of this month…its a long list as I tried everything and the kitchen sink…
Specialist Cars VW Aberdeen – Hopeless, wandered about the showroom, ignored. Asked at reception for Motab guy, fobbed off, told he was out and no idea when back, I popped in three times in two days…same every time. Gave up.
Specialist Cars Skoda Aberdeen – Very good, prompt attention, test drove Kodiaq 1hr on my own, was set to test drive a Superb, but decided not to as Kodiaq suited me better.
Specialist Cars Seat Aberdeen – Very good, again, peompt attention, two test drives of an Alhambra – one on my own (short-ish) & a longer one with my wife a few days later. It was on my shortlist, wife hated it.
Specialist Cars Peugeot Aberdeen – no problem seeing sales guy, very chatty & had an accompanied drive in a 5008 – didn’t like the accompanied drive, didn’t like the sales guy prattling on, didn’t like the tiny steering wheel, didn’t go back…
Specialist Cars BMW Aberdeen – Excellent service, very attentive, Motab guy busy so was shown to lounge with top grade snacks/coffee, had a test drive in an X1 with wife, both hated the sports seats and not overly impressed with the quality nor the road noise. Dealer was very good though.
Specialist Cars Skoda Perth (Thompson & Potter?) Outstanding – took wife for test of Kodiaq following my solo outing in Aberdeen, dealer principal sat with us with coffee & cake while motab guy showed other couple round the car we were taking out, on his return we were given the keys and told be back at 6 as we close just after that, it was 11.30am. Had car 2 hours – wife was impressed.
Specialist cars Skoda Dundee – Awful, totally ignored, motab guy said he’d be free in 10 minutes, I waited 20, went to ask where he was – was told he’s gone to lunch for an hour. Left in a rather black mood.
Honda Perth – seemed good, but would not let me test drive a CR-V, sat in one in showroom, that was it & had to wait ages to see the Motab guy.
Honda Aberdeen – Salesman reluctantly accompanied me on a test drive – gave directions, it was around the block, honestly, 5 minutes. Decided the CR-V was nice, but the dealership awful, so gave up on that.
Arnold Clark Aberdeen – Accompanied drive in a Kuga, sales guy was good, but again, 15 minutes max, decided it was too dated in any case. Accompanied drive in a CX-5, liked it, but boot too small.
Citroen/Ssangyong Montrose – Excellent service and a very laid back approach, had a SSangyong Turismo all day, really liked it, but the rear seat squeaked/rattled loudly over every bump. So no go.
Renault Perth – Worst dealership I ever stepped into, told me both the Koleos and Grand Scenic were NOT on the scheme (they were) and refused to speak to me point blank – place was empty, like, not a soul there.
Ford Perth – Motab guy was great, had an accompanied test drive in an S-Max – over 25 minutes & very varied route he said he took all accompanied drivers on – was impressed.
Specialist Cars BMW Dundee – Excellent service, test drove a 220d x-drive x-line, I liked it, wife not so much.
Ford Forfar (Glenford) – Motab guy was great, (worst coffee of all the dealerships…lol) had a long unaccompanied test drive in the exact s-max the scheme offered (180hp diesel auto titanium). Went back a few days later for another long drive (over 2 hours) with the wife, the S-Max ticked all the boxes for us so we ordered it from them.
So now I’m waiting for the showrooms to reopen (end April for us up here) and will test drive a few cars – have a shorter list this time as there are far fewer large diesel autos out there. Will try the Rav4 hybrid as well, as an outlier. If I can’t get a test drive then I’m going to extend the lease, no way I’m spending 70k miles in something that doesn’t suit.
In life, it's not who you know that's important, it's how your wife found out.