Hi..

I'm hoping to get a response from anyone who's ever worked in new/used car sales.

I recently went to a new car dealer in my city as I was considering a purchase and trading in my car. As most people are aware, the sales manager will want to take your "trade-in" on a test drive so that they can determine a value for it. In my case, the salesman stayed with me while the sales manager went and took my car for a drive. When I was leaving the dealership to drive home, it smelled like my car had been "bagged/revved really high". Literally, I could smell "engine" smell inside the car. I know that it wasn't from me driving the car as I was on a freeway and had not done any excessive revving of the engine beforehand.

I would like to pose a question to anyone out there in new/used car sales. Can you tell me what you do with a customers car when you are taking it for a test drive to determine a trade-in value? Do you just drive it around the block and then bring it back? Do you think "hey, it's his car, he'll never know how we drive it, so let's go have some fun"! What obligation are you under to drive the car in a civil manner?

I even asked my salesman if customers are allowed to go with the sales manager when they are taking the car for a test drive.....he said that no ones ever asked that before. Is there a reason why customers can't go with the salesmanager for their test drive of your trade-in?

I would appreciate any feedback.

thanks,
DL

 

Darren -

I would go back and make a complaint to management (not sales manager) and follow up to corporate with a letter. On a serious note, and not to make you feel bad, you should have accompanied him in the test drive. I know of many private sellers of motorcycles in San Diego that never see them again after a "test drive" and find their motorcycle gone for good. Police just say sorry.

Senior Chief

 

I've sold new and used cars for almost 8 years. When the manager takes your car for a teast ride he is taking it out back hammering the gas to see how the engine responds then slamming on the brakes. He is trying to do a very quick evaluation of the condition of your car

 

thats why i would stay with them when they test it...


but then again ive never traded in my vehicles.... i always get more money outta them with a straight up sale....

 

what year car is it? some newer ones have data aquisition systems built in to the ecus, and you can find out if its been over-revved and whatnot. you might check the dealer of whatever car you have now and see if they can check. might get expensive for questionable evidence at best though.

 

I worked at a dealership for over a year and when they "test drive" your car they will get on it. Like Slim said they are trying to do a quick evaluation testing for engine noise, brakes, suspension and alignment ie: (revving it out, slamming on the brakes and taking it in some corners). As far as having anything done about it…….his word vs. yours.

 

Frankly, I do not see any problem with this. If they are buying your car, they have a right to know what they are buying. And taking your car to its limits just once in a while wouldn't really hurt it. Just my 2 cents.