Test driving motorhomes

[Essgeebee]

Is it normal practice to request a test drive when considering buying a motorhome from a dealership?
For first timers, as I was a year ago, I wasn’t keen on a test drive as I was nervous about driving a large vehicle that I might scrape or embarrass myself with the salesman alongside.
Now I’ve a year of experience and considering a change, I think I might want to drive one before making a decision.

 

[SandraL]

I would not purchase without a test drive with myself behind the wheel. No drive no sale.
Only bought 2 vans, private seller took some convincing, dealer sale no problem.

 

[Stag man]

I would say yes, a test drive is an important part of the sales transaction.
Request one, you don’t have to take the vehicle out if you don’t want to, but the dealership/seller should agree to one taking place. If they don’t then I would start questioning why?
On a technical point, there are components like gearbox, clutch and steering where faults will show up under driving conditions

 

[Puddleduck]

I'd always want a test drive.

Before I took it out I'd make sure I could adjust the seat to suit, that when the seat was comfortable the pedals weren't too far or too near and that the hand brake wasn't too far down

 

[CarlandMandy]

We saw a van this week with a dealer and OH asked to test drive and it was no problem - bit nerve wracking but dealer let me sit up front and he set up the rear passenger seat to come with us. Going to see another one at Camper UK next week, asked re test drive if we were interested and were told van is in the showroom, bit tricky, and they normally only do about 3 test drives a year, so I felt a bit daft for asking! Odd as Camper UK seem to have a good reputation. In the one Carl did drive, he said breaks felt as though they needed adjusting even though an only 6 months old.

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[Stag man]

We saw a van this week with a dealer and OH asked to test drive and it was no problem - bit nerve wracking but dealer let me sit up front and he set up the rear passenger seat to come with us. Going to see another one at Camper UK next week, asked re test drive if we were interested and were told van is in the showroom, bit tricky, and they normally only do about 3 test drives a year, so I felt a bit daft for asking! Odd as Camper UK seem to have a good reputation. In the one Carl did drive, he said breaks felt as though they needed adjusting even though an only 6 months old.

Whatever else, don’t feel daft. You will be parting with a lot of £’s to complete the transaction and a test drive is an integral part of that process.
In some areas of law it’s referred to as Due Diligence, it used to be termed Bought As Seen And Tested.
What you have been given is the classic Sharp Intake Of Breath, if they can’t be bothered to get it moved out of the showroom for you, what will they be like handling any warranty claims (should they arise)?