A Chevrolet Corvette test drive in British Columbia turned into a costly legal battle after a customer damaged the sports car against a concrete barrier and was ordered to pay the dealership $12,250. The Supreme Court of British Columbia upheld the ruling against Kirby Sewell, rejecting his argument that the dealership’s insurance should cover the damage.
Why the Chevrolet Corvette Test Drive Went Wrong
Sewell had ordered a new Chevrolet Corvette from Gardner Chevrolet-Buick-GMC. When the highly anticipated sports car arrived at the dealership in 2024, it was missing several performance enhancements he had specifically requested.
Unsure whether he still wanted to complete the purchase without those factory options, Sewell decided to take the Corvette for a solo test drive to evaluate the vehicle before making his final decision.
What began as an opportunity to assess the sports car quickly became an expensive mistake.
A Concrete Barrier Caused Extensive Damage
Sewell stopped at a local Flying J truck stop and parked the Corvette beside a concrete barrier to inspect the vehicle and take pictures of its exterior.
The situation changed when a large semi-truck needed to maneuver past the parked sports car. Sewell panicked and attempted to move the Corvette out of the truck’s path, scraping the entire passenger side against the rigid concrete barrier and causing significant damage.
The incident left the dealership facing a costly repair bill and ultimately led to a legal dispute over who was responsible for the damage.
Customer’s Legal Defense Rejected by the Court
Sewell attempted to avoid personal liability by arguing in court that taking the test drive effectively made him a de facto employee of the dealership. He maintained that this interpretation of the law meant the dealership’s insurance policy should cover the damage.
However, the judge rejected the argument, ruling that the claim of an employment relationship defied common sense. The court held Sewell responsible for the damage caused during the test drive.
The dispute centered on whether motor vehicle legislation and the dealership’s insurance arrangements could protect a customer who damaged a vehicle while evaluating it before purchase. The court did not accept Sewell’s attempt to shift responsibility to the dealership.
Dealership Repairs Corvette and Sells It for $82,000
The dealership paid approximately $7,000 to repair the Corvette’s damaged fiberglass and paint. After the repairs, the vehicle was sold to another buyer for a reduced price of $82,000.
Seeking compensation for its losses, including the vehicle’s diminished value, the dealership took Sewell to court. The Supreme Court of British Columbia upheld the initial ruling and ordered him to pay $12,250 for the damage caused during the test drive.
The amount Sewell was ordered to pay exceeded the dealership’s reported repair costs, reflecting the dispute over the financial consequences of the incident.
What the Corvette Case Means for Test-Drive Liability
The ruling highlights the potential financial consequences of damaging a vehicle during a dealership test drive. In Sewell’s case, the fact that he had not finalized the purchase did not relieve him of responsibility for the damage.
As the presiding judge wrote, motor vehicle legislation is intended to protect innocent third parties, not shield negligent drivers from the consequences of their own mistakes.
Sewell ultimately lost the legal dispute without purchasing the Corvette and was ordered to pay the dealership $12,250, turning a brief test drive into a substantial financial setback.
