Perk of the job

One of the perks of this job is the loan cars. Manufacturers keep press fleets of current models for launches and for loans to motoring writers to try out and write about. When the cars leave the fleet, they are usually sold into the dealer network, from where they are sold to you, as demonstrators. They’re a good buy: well maintained, immaculately cleaned and, if — perish the thought — the hacks have knocked them about a bit, properly repaired.

Most loans are for about a week, like the BMW X5 I’m awaiting today, just in time for Badminton. Bentleys and Aston Martins tend to come in anonymous covered lorries or trailers, most others are driven to your door with a full tank by gentlemen of a certain age and reliability who have retired from other careers and now work for the manufacturers or (increasingly) car-delivery companies. They travel throughout the kingdom, from Caithness to Cornwall, usually returning by train once delivery is made.