Dealers rush to offer solo service

Dealers which don’t already offer unaccompanied test drives could lose out as the lockdown eases.

Government regulations make unaccompanied test drives all but mandatory, and dealerships are now rushing to ensure they can provide a seamless and safe service is rising

According to vehicle management and protection technology provider AX, dealer enquiries for efficient ways to provide test drives in the current environment have risen, while retailers are also looking to maximise the insights they can glean – by using telematics.

Vince Powell, managing director of AX Innovation, said: “Dealers are realising they need to offer an efficient and safe test drive service rapidly. The issue is that there’s a lot of paperwork, from insurance forms to DVLA checks and dealership form-filling, it is easier said than done. Throw in the fact that safety is the biggest concern for the industry, operationally it is quite tricky.

“But there are ways to make it much more straightforward and safer, with all the paperwork performed seamlessly on a customer’s driveway and only requiring a digital signature.”

By combining a multi-platform diary system, day-rate insurance and real-time DVLA licence checks with an electronic signature facility, customers can access more services and dealers can lessen the impact of operational restrictions as the process avoids physical contact.

Powell added: “In some ways an unaccompanied test drive can offer a much richer opportunity to engage with a customer than if you were in the car with them. By using telematics, salespeople can gain powerful insights into how and where buyers drive – this can be extremely useful in helping them choose the right car,” added Powell.