Test drive protocol

[The Voice of Reason]

It's been a while since I've had a test drive from a dealer - in the past it's been "we just need a copy of your licence sir" and then they hand you the keys.

When I tried to test drive a 123d vert at BMW Sydney, I was handed a form to sign: basically, I was responsible for a $1000 excess even if the damage was not my fault (eg someone runs into me when I'm at a red light). Trivett's form was worse - making me responsible for the first $2500.

Naturally, I refused to sign and left - I'll be buggered if I'm going to risk paying for the privilege of letting them sell me a car.

I'd be interested to hear of your experiences - especially of anyone having to stump up the dough because of some damage to the car during a test drive.

[Jeef Beef]

My test drive at Worthington BMW has been: "Yep just gimme your licence and you can have the keys."

The salesman didn't even come with me. Just me and the car.

[chylld]

i've had to sign such forms at almost every test drive i can remember from hyundai through to vw and bmw. cheapest was $500 and most expensive was $4000. all part of the experience really

[Jeef Beef]

Originally Posted by chylld

i've had to sign such forms at almost every test drive i can remember from hyundai through to vw and bmw. cheapest was $500 and most expensive was $4000. all part of the experience really

I'll have to admit I haven't had much experience with other dealers or car brands but I've never signed any form when I went and bought my 1er.

[The Voice of Reason]

Originally Posted by Jeef Beef

My test drive at Worthington BMW has been: "Yep just gimme your licence and you can have the keys."

The salesman didn't even come with me. Just me and the car.

Sounds like a destination for me

No issues at kloster BMW in the past - don't know if they have since changed.

Last year, I test drove every hatchback under the sun to buy a little commuter box. I have never experienced the "sign your life away" stuff.

They did tell me that no one had ever objected to signing it in the past.

The way I see it, the risk of damage is in the ordinary course of business if you sell cars. They have insurance for that. This way, they get the poor old customer to underwrite the risk and make it totally risk free for the dealer. Nice work!

To me it's akin to not being happy with the profit margin on the car and inventing a $3000+ "delivery charge"... Talk about wanting it all your own way, and to hell with the customer.

[BBK]

Always have had to sign for it... I even have to sign for a loaner car.

I can't see why any dealer would let you take a car out without the responsibility being on you nowadays.

[sbce90]

When we went to the south sydney porsche place in alexandria we got the keys to the car and free roam. Went around for a bit and when we got back the sales assistant asked "oh how come you're back so quickly? ... Take it to your suburb and house, see how it goes around your local streets.. " absolute legend.


When I test drove 3ers at BMW Sydney I did not have to sign anything. This was just under a year ago. I was on redPs, and errr young, at the time and all they did was copy my license. My rents did not sign any forms either or drive the car or give their license details. I was most surprised at the fact I was allowed to drive the car myself. A few years earlier when buying a car for my sister, mercedes benz did not let her drive a demonstrator vehicle.

loan cars always require signing

[The Voice of Reason]

Originally Posted by SBC

loan cars always require signing

Yes i agree, but the forms I have signed are specifically limited to:

1) fines
2) tolls
3) at fault accidents or damage

In my opinion, it is not fair to be responsible for anything and everything. Others may have a different view - but hey, it's a free country

[takahashi]

That is to protect them. if you know them really well then you don't need to sign. I always sign one when I used to take one out for 2 weeks ( warranty). They ask for $30 to bring down to $500 excess. anyway I wasn't too fuss.

just reading carefully. if it is not your fault then you shouldn't pay. I will be very fuss with them too.

sounds like BMW dealer is not very friendly in NSW

[sbce90]

As a business you can understand why they do it though surely.. I mean, I would probably do something similar if I ran something like this. The problems are those people who just go into dealerships for joyrides and tyre-kicking. Now that more and more dealerships are keeping nice food and drinks, there is even more reason to just pop in for a quick visit to a dealer too. These people ruin it for the rest of us.

I dont meant to sound like a broken record, but we went to the porsche centre in Willoughby too and there were some people who were putting their baby in the boot of a cayenne, then closing it. Then opening the boot. Then closing it again. Then opening.. etc... How can you take these people seriously?

[The Voice of Reason]

Originally Posted by SBC

These people ruin it for the rest of us.

Damn right about that!

However, when I'm in these places, I don't want coffee, pastries, or a f@cking back rub.

I am there for business - as a guy with grey hair who wears suits and as one who doesn't wear baseball caps backwards, I don't expect to be regarded with the suspicion that they would perhaps view a casual joyrider or tyre kicker (although sometimes, appearances can indeed be deceptive).

What annoys me is the arrogance that you should be putting your balls on the line for the privilege of allowing them to sell a very expensive set of wheels.

What would happen if you were stopped at the door of JB Hifi on the next visit and asked to sign a form accepting liability for damage to any equipment "howsoever caused", before you were allowed in to look at and fiddle with their gear?

No one would ever do it - so why should we allow the dealers to take the piss out of those of us who are serious prospective customers?

Off my soapbox now...

[amk2912]

The BMW/Mini dealership in WA has tightened up since some fool took a Cooper S out on a test drive, hammered it and got picked up by the cops. The car was impounded under hoon laws for 28 days. This effectively deprived the dealership of a demo vehicle and probably contributed to the loss of one or more sales.

It's not personal , it's business.

[x5mad]

Not siding with anyone but as a business they have to think bottom line. Yes they have insurance but in order to lower their insurance costs they accept a higher excess. Unfortunately that excess is bourne by us the customers.

[MrBlonde]

Originally Posted by The Voice of Reason

Damn right about that!

However, when I'm in these places, I don't want coffee, pastries, or a f@cking back rub.

I am there for business - as a guy with grey hair who wears suits and as one who doesn't wear baseball caps backwards, I don't expect to be regarded with the suspicion that they would perhaps view a casual joyrider or tyre kicker (although sometimes, appearances can indeed be deceptive).

What annoys me is the arrogance that you should be putting your balls on the line for the privilege of allowing them to sell a very expensive set of wheels.

What would happen if you were stopped at the door of JB Hifi on the next visit and asked to sign a form accepting liability for damage to any equipment "howsoever caused", before you were allowed in to look at and fiddle with their gear?

No one would ever do it - so why should we allow the dealers to take the piss out of those of us who are serious prospective customers?

Off my soapbox now...

You showed them

[BBK]

Originally Posted by The Voice of Reason

What annoys me is the arrogance that you should be putting your balls on the line for the privilege of allowing them to sell a very expensive set of wheels.

What would happen if you were stopped at the door of JB Hifi on the next visit and asked to sign a form accepting liability for damage to any equipment "howsoever caused", before you were allowed in to look at and fiddle with their gear?

I see what you are saying, but as a business owner I can see why they do it.

This isn't a cheap item we are talking about here. Your argument about JB isn't fair. Maybe if they let you take an XBOX home with you to setup on your TV and play for the day? But that will never happen... And I can gaurantee that if a business ever let you take something away from the store to test, you would have to sign something!

[harpoon]

I went to test drive a golf for my wife a couple of years ago and was asked to sign a form and the excess was 5k. Haha the car was only 25k, needless to say i refused and walked out.

[Taymaishu]

Recently did one of the E-class at Marshall (Parramatta MB).

Just took a copy of my licence and off i went.

[Zuzu]

Same as most of the others.. Only ever given the dealers a copy of the DL..

[Bimmer_Freak]

i test drove a 135i at North Shore BMW couple weeks ago and had to sign a form and was told about excess etc, i didn't think anything of it. Just signed and went for the drive, assuming it was the norm.

[Superdaws]

Before i bought my 135, test drove one obviously, just photocopy of the license and sign the form.... but i must point out the form was ONLY for the fines etc etc no insurance excess whatsoever.

A few weeks after ive signed and deposited on my 135, i asked the dealer if i could test drive again to show a friend who might be interested. Same deal, license of both of us and sign the form, no excess crap, and btw, keep the car for half the day if u want!

IMO, if they arent prepared to cover the excess, do what alot of others have done here and walk away. Plenty of dealer wont hassle you with that kinda *shit*. The more people that walk away, the less likely itll occur in the future...

[AussieAlf]

No $ or form when I test drove the 118d vert, 125i coupe or 123d vert I eventually bought. Mind you salesguy came out with me on the first drive.

Cheers,
Alf