CAR buyers have become used to unaccompanied test drives during the Covid-19 pandemic and they now want it to become standard practice.
According to new research by AX, nearly two thirds of those surveyed said they wanted the practice to continue while almost all drivers (91%) still see test drives as an important part of the car buying journey.
In an effort to maintain social distancing since the COVID-19 pandemic started, dealerships have only been able to offer test drives unaccompanied without a salesperson present, with some also offering paperless solutions which reduce physical contact.
When asked why unaccompanied test drives were preferred, the top reason given by seven in 10 drivers was that it would help them to concentrate on the car itself, without distraction from the salesperson.
Six in 10 drivers said it would make the test drive experience less awkward, while 54% said it would enable them to choose their own route rather than one chosen by the salesperson.
Just over half would feel they could test the car’s performance more thoroughly and 49% said they would feel under less pressure to make a driving mistake.
The survey also identified the preferred test drive length among consumers, with 62% stating a time between 15 minutes and two hours as the ideal length to test a car. However, one in five drivers wanted an extended test drive lasting 3 hours or more.
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