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Just had a call with the Motability specialist at the Mercedes dealer nearest to us. Test drive will be unaccompanied but I will have to follow another vehicle around a pre determined route.
Doesn’t seem appropriate when we are committing to 3 years with a car and handing over a 4k advance payment.
Just wondered what other peoples thoughts were. I’m tempted not to bother to be honest, probably a bit thirsty for the mileage we do. Apparently its because people have been making off with cars? Its not like they wouldn’t know who I am with being a motability customer.
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How about just take a different route at an awkward junction..
Trust is important between dealer and customer, I’d tell them where to shove it
Currently driving Seat Ateca 2.0 FR Sport TDI 190 DSG 4drive
Mokka E ultimate on order
I wouldn’t feel comfortable with committing to a car for 3 years without a few hours unaccompanied test drive and certainly not having to go around a predetermined route, as that will have been planned to show the car in its best light, avoiding types of roads that it may not be so good on.
I’ve had two test drives in a BMW this week from different dealerships. The first was 2 hours and the second was 4 hours. Unaccompanied, no restrictions and no need to refuel. I was able to test the cars on motorways (tarmac and concrete sections), A roads, country roads, around town, in traffic etc. All critical to know if a car is right for you.
I’m test driving a Volvo this week and they tried to say that test drives were 30-45 mins. I said that was not long enough so we agreed on 75 minutes. Still too short really but probably long enough to know whether it’s a contender or not for me. My advice would be to push back and insist on a decent unaccompanied test drive. If they won’t agree I would try another dealership.
When we got our Countryman, we phoned up Stratstone MINI and asked for a test drive and they offered us a full 48hr one, just showed my driving license and left with it. That was a 40K PHEV Cooper SE too.
VW only offered a 20min accompanied, and Merc it was 5 mins up and down the A1 with a salesman driving us in it first.
Like you say it’s 3yrs plus, that we have to live with these cars and we get need to know if they are suitable.
I even got told from a SEAT dealer that i should rent one for a day if i wanted a longer test drive!
It absolutely should not be necessary, but the best way to get treated decently and get a good length test drive, is not to mention Motability, and go along looking as though you have money even if you haven’t.
I wouldn’t feel comfortable with committing to a car for 3 years without a few hours unaccompanied test drive and certainly not having to go around a predetermined route, as that will have been planned to show the car in its best light, avoiding types of roads that it may not be so good on. I’ve had two test drives in a BMW this week from different dealerships. The first was 2 hours and the second was 4 hours. Unaccompanied, no restrictions and no need to refuel. I was able to test the cars on motorways (tarmac and concrete sections), A roads, country roads, around town, in traffic etc. All critical to know if a car is right for you. I’m test driving a Volvo this week and they tried to say that test drives were 30-45 mins. I said that was not long enough so we agreed on 75 minutes. Still too short really but probably long enough to know whether it’s a contender or not for me. My advice would be to push back and insist on a decent unaccompanied test drive. If they won’t agree I would try another dealership.
I’m going for a test drive in a t5 inscription pro recharge tomorrow. Looking forward to it very much
Make sure you report back, Richardw.
Certainly will, there at 9.30am
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