Buying a new car is a major financial decision and one that you shouldn’t take lightly – after all, you’re spending thousands of pounds, and are often tied in to a fixed term. Three years is a long time to live with a car that you discover doesn’t suit your lifestyle.
If that’s a concern, and you want to avoid the pressure of a hard sales environment, quite a few manufacturers are now offering a 24-hour test drive, where you can take the car home and live with it for a day. Not only does this give you chance to really get to know the car, but it also allows you to test it in various practical situations. You can find out if your family like it, if the kids’ car seats fit properly, if the boot’s big enough and get a genuine feel for how economical it is.
If that appeals to you, then here are the manufacturers currently offering a 24-hour test drive.
BMW
By far the most popular choice for 24-hour test drives is BMW, with the manufacturer offering day-long test drives through most of its retailers. The company proudly offers 24-hour test drives on each of its 46 different models, though certain high performance or high value models have age a licence restriction in place. You can book a test drive by clicking the link above.
*Subjected to selected models*
Citroen
Another manufacturer to full embrace the 24-hour test drive idea is Citroen, which offers them through its ‘Perfect Day’ campaign. The offer is applicable on its entire car range, as well as its light commercial vehicles. You can book one by clicking the link above.
*Subjected to selected models*
DS
Citroen’s premium brand, DS, also offers 24-hour test drives, though availability of certain models is limited. Find out more by clicking the link above.
*Subjected to selected models*
Lexus
The Japanese luxury car maker offers 24-hour test drives in some but not all of its models. You can book a test drive in a CT, IS, RC, NX, RX or GS by clicking the link above, but the LS, RC F and GS F models aren’t included.
*Subjected to selected models*
MINI
MINI has gone one further by doubling the length of the extended test drive to two whole days. You can choose any MINI model, and it’s yours for 48 hours. Book one here by clicking the link above.
*Subjected to selected models*
Ssangyong
Korean maker Ssangyong is also pushing the boundaries with a 48-hour test drive package, which is offered on the Tivoli and Korando models. Click the link above to book your time behind the wheel…
The above are the manufacturers that officially offer a 24-hour test drive. Others, such as Ford, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Vauxhall and Mercedes-Benz have some dealers that participate in 24-hour test drive by their own volition, while if you’re a fleet driver you can get a three-day test drive in most Vauxhall, Volkswagen Group and Ford vehicles.
*Subjected to selected models*
