1 in 10 won’t test drive

One in 10 consumers have said they will buy a car without test driving it first, according to research by the What Car?

Analysis of 8,500 consumers ‘in the market’ for a new car found that 45% intend to test drive more cars this time compared with the last time they bought.

On average, the data suggests that buyers plan to test at least two cars – although nearly a fifth said they expect to get behind the wheel of upwards of five different models.

For some, the purpose of the test drive is nothing more than validating the choice they’ve made which is why nearly a fifth (23%) admit they plan to arrange only one test drive.

Yet for one in 10, the test-drive is deemed completely irrelevant as they will buy without trying their next car at all.

Steve Huntingford, editor of What Car? said, ‘For this buyer, they’ve done their research, they’ve validated their decision with friends and family, and they’re comfortable enough with the monthly payments to simply place an order blind.’

Studies by What Car? show that 62% of buyers still find contact with dealers difficult and that the test drive experience is usually the most vocal complaint.