Car not available for a test drive?
My wife was interested in buying a Hyundai i20 with automatic transmission, but we could not find any garage able to provide one to try out. I phoned Hyundai but they couldn't help find a car. It was a similar story with some other manufacturers; apparently the number of automatics sold in Britain is so tiny it's not viable to keep them in stock anywhere.
I can't understand it - are we supposed to buy cars without ever trying them? They're not exactly cheap throwaway consumer items. In the end she bought a Honda Jazz, a very good car, and she was able to test drive it first.
Is there any way of getting manufacturers to listen to the suggestion that customers should be able to try out cars before they buy them, even if they are automatic?
I can't understand it - are we supposed to buy cars without ever trying them? They're not exactly cheap throwaway consumer items. In the end she bought a Honda Jazz, a very good car, and she was able to test drive it first.
Is there any way of getting manufacturers to listen to the suggestion that customers should be able to try out cars before they buy them, even if they are automatic?
Asked on 22 October 2012 by Michael000001
Answered by
Honest John
It's because this doesn't make any kind of financial sense. Even at dealer discount the car is going to cost the dealer £10,000. So he has to hold a depreciating asset in stock for test drives that, assuming no discounts and 10 sales a year, will make him a maximum of £6,000 in total.
Our honest used car pricing is a little bit different to all the others. You can get to our values through make or model - you don’t have to follow a prescribed route. Plus, it’s live, which means we can react to changes in the market quicker than any printed price guide.
Honest Used Car Prices
From which small car to buy at which price point to the best UK-built cars, our Top 10s have the lot. Click now for your shortlist.
Unsure of what to buy? Our Top 10s are here to help you....Similar questions
I am in the process of buying a Motability car, and I can only drive automatics as I only passed in an automatic. I drive an automatic Fiat Punto at the moment. My cousin has the Citroen C3 and I really...
I am about to sell my vehicle privately. What insurance is needed for a test drive? I have spoken to my insurers (plus others) and have got several different versions of information. Most often it seems...
What protection do trade plates convey when test driving a vehicle? My son and I test drove a car at an independent dealer. He put one trade plate on the front of the vehicle and did not accompany us on...
Related models
.jpg?width=115&height=75&rmode=crop)
Easy to drive and refined. Very well built. Five-year warranty as standard. Neat and tidy styling. Decent room in the back seat. Good economy from entry-level 1.2-litre.
Elsewhere on 
