Car showrooms are open again - what you need to know before visiting a dealership, including making an appointment and arranging a contactless handover

The new procedures for buying a new or used car as dealers in England reopen for business
From June 1, car dealers in England are allowed to reopen their showroomsFrom June 1, car dealers in England are allowed to reopen their showrooms
From June 1, car dealers in England are allowed to reopen their showrooms

The effect of lockdown has been devastating on the UK car industry, with new vehicle registrations down 97 per cent as dealerships were forced to suspend almost all operations. While dealers have been able to conduct business via the phone or internet, sales sites have been closed, meaning customers have been unable to view cars in person or test drive them.

However, as authorities around the UK begin to relax restrictions on movements and businesses, showrooms have begun to reopen.

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In England, they were among the first non-essential retailers to reopen, with June 1 marking the first day they can return to “normal” operation and customers can visit. In Northern Ireland they reopened a week later, on June 8.

Showrooms and forecourts have been reconfigured to protect customers and staffShowrooms and forecourts have been reconfigured to protect customers and staff
Showrooms and forecourts have been reconfigured to protect customers and staff

June 22 saw operators in Wales allowed to reopen while dealerships in Scotland have been told they can resume full operations from June 29.

However, in order to follow government guidance on reducing the spread of coronavirus dealerships have had to introduce a number of new measures and change how their showrooms operate.

Appointments and unaccompanied test drives

Among the most obvious changes at all showrooms are social distancing measures. Dealerships have had to put in clear guidance, including signs or floor stickers reminding customers and staff to observe a 2m distance from other people at all times.

Dealers are enforcing social distancing measures in their showroomsDealers are enforcing social distancing measures in their showrooms
Dealers are enforcing social distancing measures in their showrooms
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To help with this dealers have introduced one-way systems for entry and exit and around showrooms and spacing in their car parks to leave gaps between customer vehicles.

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Sanitiser stations have been placed around showrooms and non-essential elements such as tea and coffee facilities, magazines and children’s toys have been removed. Even brochures have been replaced with digital versions.

Customers are also being asked to make appointments to visit rather than just turning up. By booking appointments dealers can control the number of people on site at any time, limiting the risk of spreading the virus.

Another major difference is that dealers are now offering unaccompanied test drives, in accordance with guidance on social distancing. Test cars will be thoroughly cleaned between drives. Show cars are also being left locked and will be opened on request then cleaned and locked again between customers.

Online viewings and contactless handovers

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Dealers have also moved many of their services online. Customers can arrange video chats with sales staff to discuss new cars, hold video viewings of models and be talked through their new car’s features. Many brands have also introduced entirely online buying processes where customers can avoid showrooms completely.

For customers who have ordered a new car, dealers have developed contactless handovers or handovers with minimal interaction between staff and customers. For most dealers this means having a specific area set aside for new vehicle handovers where staff can leave the car and customers can collect it without coming into contact with each other. The area is then thoroughly cleaned between each handover.

Many dealerships are also offering secure home delivery services for customers who have ordered a car but prefer not to visit the showroom to collect it. These are also carried out with the minimum of face-to-face interaction but with measures to ensure the car is handed over safely to the buyer.

In place of the in-person walkthrough of a car’s features that dealers would normally offer, many are now conducting online video chats once the customer has taken delivery of the vehicle, explaining the car's features and functions.

Differences around the UK

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Scotland is now the only part of the UK where showrooms are not fully open again. It is expected to relax restrictions on them on June 29. New differences may arise following a review of the 2m social distancing guidelines in different parts of the UK.