It may seem like common sense, but test driving a vehicle you're looking to buy does not make you a dealership employee. But, that's exactly what a Canadian man is claiming after he damaged a C8 Corvette during a test drive. After sideswiping a concrete barrier at a Flying J truck stop, Kirby Sewell argued that British Columbia's Motor Vehicle Act meant he was effectively a dealership employee during the test drive and should have been covered by the dealer's insurance policy. Maybe he was just trying to get back at all the shady car dealership that scam buyers , but the court disagreed with Sewell's perception of the law and required him to reimburse the dealership for the vehicle damage and diminished value.
๐ The Core Development
The story starts in 2024 when Sewell ordered a new Corvette Stingray from Gardner Chevrolet-Buick-GMC in British Columbia. During the test drive, he had stopped to take pictures the truck stop, but after doing so, he hit the barrier causing damage to the passenger side of the car. After the test drive, Sewell decided not to buy the Corvette and felt he was not responsible for the vehicle damage, so the dealership sued him and the case went to trial last year.
๐ Background & Sector Context
Not surprisingly, the judge ruled against Sewell, and the court ordered him to pay the dealership CA$17,182 (about $12,250) stating that the Motor Vehicle Act "is not intended to protect a negligent driver from their own negligence." Sewell appealed, but the appellate court upheld the judgement, while stating Sewell's reading of the law "defies common sense." Auto News reports that the dealership had to pay about $7,000 to repair the damage and, ultimately, had to sell the car at a reduced price of $82,000. Photos Sewell took of the Corvette at the truck stop were shown during the 2025 trial, and they revealed he had enough space to room the car safely and without damaging it.
๐ Industry & Real-World Impact
Industry insights from Carscoops indicate significant structural shifts underway across the supercars & hypercars landscape.
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๐ฎ Strategic Outlook & What Lies Ahead
Follow-up milestones over the coming days will clarify long-term impacts as reported by Carscoops correspondents.
