It seems not.

I went into a couple of dealers today to arrange a test drive of a Fabia vRS. Both dealers had demonstrators on their forecourts, but neither was willing to let me have more than a quick drive around the block. I've never bought a car without a decent drive. It's like buying a pair of shoes without trying them on first.

Other dealers will let me take their cars out for a few hours unaccompanied. Is the Fabia so bad that they don't want people to find out it about before they buy one?

It seems not.

I went into a couple of dealers today to arrange a test drive of a Fabia vRS. Both dealers had demonstrators on their forecourts, but neither was willing to let me have more than a quick drive around the block. I've never bought a car without a decent drive. It's like buying a pair of shoes without trying them on first.

Other dealers will let me take their cars out for a few hours unaccompanied. Is the Fabia so bad that they don't want people to find out it about before they buy one?

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The cost of the fuel you might use may be scaring them. If you filled it up on return up on leaving a £60 depoist of course to fill it up they may be more willig I guess.

The Mk 2 Fabia VRS can emply its tank in less than 300 miles and uses the more expensive 98 Octane stuff to get full perfromance ie 20p a mile on fuel along, probably around 50p a mile considering all elements to run this Fabia at the mo. My dealer charges 50p a mile to use a loan car and I can empathise with them.

lol

I guess they get sick of time wasters having a jolly.

They dont need to try and sell cars, they are selling themselves perfectly well. There is currently a 6 month waiting list for the more popular models, and thats sure to grow after the glowing report of the yeti on Sundays Top Gear.

If you could show you were deadly serious about buying a Furby vRS then I am sure they will be more accomodating. Simply turning up and asking for a test drive does not usually result in more than a tour around the block, phone them up and book a test drive that way you sound more serious. Also if you turn up on spec, then the salesman may have scheduled appointments already in their diary for test drives and sales collections, and may need the car you want to testdrive for these.

When I drove my superb, I went on a 15 mile journey with the salesman, on all types of roads, on a route I choose and it was the same when my dad bought his Fabia Greenline, this was at Progress Skoda, Letchworth. My now ex. local dealer, used to put his trade plates on and simply chucked me the keys and said bring it back when your ready and didnt even come with me in the car. It helps if you can build up a good relationship and show a serious intent with the dealer.

When the wife took our Estate in to get fixed, they were over in a flash when she started to look at the new vRS, trying to sell the car to her offering her £2500 off plus a bit more as a valued customer.

It seems not.

I went into a couple of dealers today to arrange a test drive of a Fabia vRS. Both dealers had demonstrators on their forecourts, but neither was willing to let me have more than a quick drive around the block. I've never bought a car without a decent drive. It's like buying a pair of shoes without trying them on first.

Other dealers will let me take their cars out for a few hours unaccompanied. Is the Fabia so bad that they don't want people to find out it about before they buy one?

Are you quite young if I may ask? It's been reported by a few people on this forum, including myself, that younger buyers seem to be taken less seriously when buying the vRS. The fact you went to a couple is a little worrying I went to one which was 30-40 miles away but they were much better.

I suppose if the dealer knows you as a customer you'll get good attention.

I have bought four cars from my Soda dealer over the years and when I asked for a test drive in their vRS last November they handed over the keys (after I signed some insurance paperwork) and I took it out alone for about an hour.

I ordered one ! It arrived yesterday ! :yes:

Mannyo and others are right...and add to that the fact that the VRs is one seriously fast, expensive bit of kit that someone who may not be used to driving it could easily wrap round a tree then you begin to understand where some dealers are coming from. There are some total numpties our there who think they are god's gift to the performance hatch (no...not saying you are one of those) so dealers have to be very careful indeed. Definitely build up a relationship with a dealer...that's the best way forward. I've never had a problem getting a test drive from any dealer, Skoda or otherwise but then, I have always been serious about wanting to know about and maybe purchase the car and you need to be able to demonstrate that to the dealer. Good luck.

Edited 26 January, 201115 yr by Estate Man

It does depend on the dealer and I can understand when it comes to the cost of fuel or them not wanting it wrapped round a tree. I've test driven several cars from dealers and everyone dealt with me slightly differently.

• Mk1 Fabia vRS (Used) - Salesman came with me which is far enough and we went about 5 miles. Everytime I wanted to boot it on a straight he was telling me to take it easy. This was before I bought my current vRS.
• New Fabia vRS - At my local dealer. They rung me up because they know I like Skodas. Salesman came with me and had no problem with me giving it some. Shame it was a wet test drive though.
• Renault Clio RS200 with cup chassis - Went in to have a look, asked about a test drive. Not a problem. He brought it round, stuck £10 in it, gave me the keys and told me to come back when I was ready. What a laugh that car is! Being unaccompanied really helps! I think it's a great way to sell cars.
• Fabia vRS again (wanted a dry test) - Popped in by chance into the dealer in Cardiff. Salesman didn't seem that bothered even though I asked him loads of questions about the car. He came with me and the test drive was to the roundabout and back. Very disappointed. He then asked did I like it enough to buy one. What after driving it for 2 minutes?!
• Mk6 Golf GTI - A friend was with me on this one and the salesman came with us. It has DSG and he had no problem with me giving it some. Feels really safe at speed.
• Civic Type-R - Salesman came with me and we did about 10 miles. Wasnt a bad car but not for me.
• Mazda 3 MPS - Arranged a day in advance for the test drive and my brother came with me. The test drive was unaccompanied and I've never seen him laugh so much.

Before anyone says I was wasting the dealers time this isn't true. At the time my financial situation was better and could have afforded most of what I drove. Plus it gave me a good idea what's good and what isn't. As for extended tests I'm sure that most dealers would be accomodating.

Just had a quick look @ Hugo's profile, & I really dont think its age related ( he is over 35 )

I suspect the fact that the Skoda order books are chock full, & the factories appear to be working almost to capacity, the dealers dont feel a need to sell the brand, as its selling itself at present.

I tend to agree with what most people have said around either showing its going to be a serious purchase, or build a relationship with your local dealer.

I have recently bought my 4th Skoda from my local dealer, & have compete trust from them that I wont rag any car they give me as a loaner.

Good luck with getting a drive, I think a but of a ring round to a few dealers to see what you can get .

When I got my Mk1 Superb a few years back I spoke to Skoda themselves rather than a dealer and got a loaner for the whole weekend delivered to my door. It worked for them, I ordered an Edition100 on the Monday morning.

Like I say this was a few years back, so not sure that they would still do something like this?

My dealer (Watford) has just agreed to let me borrow their demonstrator for a morning on a 110 mile round trip.

I think it must depend on the dealer, and how serious you appear to be. We spent a fair bit of time in the dealership the other day looking at a VRS and test driving a 1.2 TSI. I didn't request a VRS test drive until several days later.

Before anyone says I was wasting the dealers time this isn't true. At the time my financial situation was better and could have afforded most of what I drove. Plus it gave me a good idea what's good and what isn't. As for extended tests I'm sure that most dealers would be accomodating.

I wouldn't say that at all. How anyone can be expected to make a decision after a 5 minute drive to the local roundabout is beyond me. They should be going out of their way to show you how good their cars are! It's not exactly a trivial decision after all...

They dont need to try and sell cars, they are selling themselves perfectly well. There is currently a 6 month waiting list for the more popular models, and thats sure to grow after the glowing report of the yeti on Sundays Top Gear.

+1

It's not selling them they need to do more of it's building the chuffin things!!

It may be more down to the fact that many sales people are just not that good at sales.

Place I got my last two Fabias from gave me the keys and let me go.

I would try again and if you dont get anywhere phone SUK customer services.

i booked my test drive, when they phoned me to confirm,

he told me i could have it for 20 minutes, to which i told him there was no way id buy a brand new car that ive not had a good drive of. I told him i wanted to get a bit of motorway, town and lanes into the test drive, and i wanted it on my own.

When i turned up they gave me the keys but the fuel level was well into the red, I asked him to add some more fuel otherwise it'd ed up parked on the side of the road when fuel ran out.

I managed a 62mile test drive in the end.

Edited 26 January, 201115 yr by janner_Sy

i booked my test drive, when they phoned me to confirm,

he told me i could have it for 20 minutes, to which i told him there was no way id buy a brand new car that ive not had a good drive of. I told him i wanted to get a bit of motorway, town and lanes into the test drive, and i wanted it on my own.

When i turned up they gave me the keys but the fuel level was well into the red, I asked him to add some more fuel otherwise it'd ed up parked on the side of the road when fuel ran out.

I managed a 62mile test drive in the end.

we called couple of days earlier booked a slot

showed licences salesman took us out mrs t first round the houses and lanes

she dosnt do fast

then he said spose you want to try motorway yup says i

well you can take liberties in their car you wouldnt take in your own

was out for a decent while well long enough to join the waity list

nothing was rushed all in all a pleasent experiance

its the waiting i hate and still no date

Are you quite young if I may ask? It's been reported by a few people on this forum, including myself, that younger buyers seem to be taken less seriously when buying the vRS. The fact you went to a couple is a little worrying I went to one which was 30-40 miles away but they were much better.

No, 40+ years old, grey hair & beard.

The only other thing that I can think of is that it might have been how you were dressed as I've found some people won't serve people if they don't look professional, shirt tie suit. Wrong yes but thats just how some people are.

Are you quite young if I may ask? It's been reported by a few people on this forum, including myself, that younger buyers seem to be taken less seriously when buying the vRS. The fact you went to a couple is a little worrying I went to one which was 30-40 miles away but they were much better.

I guess I was lucky then.

I am 20 years old, rang up Skoda on the Saturday (Simpsons Preston), told them I was interested in car (new Fabia vRS), asked if I could test drive, turned up on the Sunday, was handed the keys and told to come back whenever (my parents came with me also), came back about an hour later, had the deposit down on the car the following Monday

i think it comes down to what you say.

I had done my research and tested a couple of other cars.

Went to the Skoda dealer and basically said, 1 if you can do a deal and 2 the test drive is good ill buy the car today and put a deposit down.

So 1 they did a deal, 2 the test drive was good ( I was accompanied but the salesman said go for it and we did about 15 miles) and i bought the car !

Cheers

No, 40+ years old, grey hair & beard.

That explains it perfectly - Never trust a man with a beard!!!!

(just kidding!)

Only two brands I've ever had trouble with. Ford and Volkswagen, Ford dealership wanted a £500 deposit to take out a diesel fiesta to which I said good bye and walked out. Volkswagen I phoned to arrange a test drive but never came back.

On the other hand since buying the Octavia my dealership has let me take out the superb and fabia vRS on my own, infact if I'm there and they have a new car they often chuck me the keys for a quick test drive. I've also ever hand a problem with any other brand, test drove the subaru Impreza Turbo both the classic shape and bugeye, the latter the salesman told me to put my foot down more.

Its all down to the dealership, find a good one and you will not have a problem.

I guess I was lucky then.

I am 20 years old, rang up Skoda on the Saturday (Simpsons Preston), told them I was interested in car (new Fabia vRS), asked if I could test drive, turned up on the Sunday, was handed the keys and told to come back whenever (my parents came with me also), came back about an hour later, had the deposit down on the car the following Monday

You don't think that re-assured the dealer that a) You wouldn't drive it like a maniac and 2) You weren't wasting his time?

You don't think that re-assured the dealer that a) You wouldn't drive it like a maniac and 2) You weren't wasting his time?

Quite possibly, however, I don't believe I have come across as a maniac anytime recently

Nah to be fair, the salesman I used throughout the whole process was very good and continues to provide very good after service with a few little niggles I have had with the car.