You wonder sometimes how dealers manage to sell any cars at all, at least two dealers in the midlands have one listed on their used car stock list and both have 'demonstrator' mileage!

Mansfield:

www.skoda.net.r66.co.uk/carview.aspx?id=605549042

Coventry:

www.skoda.net.r66.co.uk/carview.aspx?id=605451955

Try getting a test drive in one of these - it will also give you a bit of an idea how the car will wear over time. There are a couple of used Superbs with that engine in your area:

These may be 'group stock', so worthwhile phoning the dealer in advance and saying you want to test drive that particular used car (not telling them you'll eventually buy new). If, once you've driven the car and decide to buy a new one, if the dealer starts to try to sell you the used one instead too hard, you can always walk away and buy via a broker.

Edited by SkodaIan on 18/04/2016 at 13:07

I'm not defending dealers, but inevitably they can't have every single permutation available for test drive, so they will have the best-selling models as demonstrators.

Sometimes you can find a used one in the spec that you want: the other way to do it is to try, say, a Superb SE with a different engine (to find out about comfort and equipment) and then try a different car with the 1.4 engine and DSG: an Octavia perhaps. That's a lot better than nothing.

I think nearly ALL the dealer got the same demo car model/version. I ordered a diesel SE Business estate at the end of August as my company car (it's gone back now as I've left the company) and noticed that all the dealers within range of me seemed to have the same cars for the launch (Sept).

Loved my car and the 5 months I had it were pure bliss apart from the shocking windscreen washers (seems a common fault).

Look on the Briskoda forums for more information/advice. Very helpful bunch of people and I recall a few have the 1.4 petrol versions.

Hi, not sure how you got on with your quest. I sympathise as I have found it really tricky to get various models with a petrol for a test drive (Kia Sportgae, Hyundai Tucson, Renault Kadjar - no test = no sale).

I did , however, manage to get my hands on a Skoda Superb Hatch with the 1.4 TSI ACT engine. Manual gearbox, not DSG.

For what it was worth, I though that the engine did a great job in the car, particularly considering the size. Pulled well and seemed relaxed across the motorway and dual carriage way sections that we got to try.

The car was in Ridgway Skoda, Reading. Not sure if that is of any use.