Following updated Government guidance issued this morning, NFDA can confirm that although physical ‘car showrooms’ should remain closed to the public pending further developments, dealers are entitled to offer a ‘click and collect’ service at dealerships for vehicles purchased remotely.
Provided dealers follow strict social distancing and hygiene protocols at their sites (and provided customers do not enter the actual ‘car showroom’ to organise/complete the collection), customers may visit dealership premises to collect purchased vehicles (as well as dropping off vehicles for repair, servicing etc. and collecting them post repair/service).
While it is up to each dealer to decide what collection (or delivery) format best suits their operations, NFDA would suggest that handover/paperwork is completed on the dealership forecourt / in the dealership parking area, using an appointment system with appropriate social distancing and hygiene measures in place (as explained in separate Government and NFDA/SMMT guidance).
The updated Government guidance can be accessed here (with the concession regarding ‘click and collect’ set out under the Retail section): https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close-guidance. The NFDA guidance also follows helpful, informal engagement with Trading Standards.
