Where to start...
Sub 21, I couldn't get a Test Drive in anything, apart from when my dad had organised it. Vauxhall gave me an Astra SR-I for the day when my dad hinted at doing a deal on a Van too.
At 24, was looking at £30k motors, S2000, 350Z, Scooby, Lancer, and even the Monaro.
S2000 was easy, think Honda at that time were happy to see anyone below 60 yrs in the showroom. Salesman told me off for lifting at 120 on a Harrogate Bypass!
350Z took a bit of convincing, promptly made the guy go green after being a bit to 'enthusiastic' through the corners, served him right for not knowing anything about the car (bad form!).
Scooby was easy, phoned ahead, made the right noises...
Lancer was tricky, full of fossils that didn't understand the car or the likely drivers. Never drove it but through choice, not lack of offers.
Monaro...different dealer to the Astra. Turned up after a kick-around inHarrogate's Garden's. Took one look at me and said down his nose 'You do know that it's a £30k car???".....promptly told him to 'do one' but with more F's.
I've always been paranoid that I look young, and on average, wanted a more expensive car than the norm, or at least my friends. This probably showed, but I battled through to get what I wanted usually.
Onto Porsche's. Went to Leeds OPC, Guy there was very helpful, spent ages going through the cars with me, as I also didn't know what to go for. Never got offered a drive though. On my fifth visit, I was getting a bit fed up, as I couldn't refine my choice without driving them, 2s or 4s? Which to have on a circa £40k budget. Never got offered, got tired of looking, and over the next two years did more research, and decided to go Big and try get into a 997.2 Turbo.
Went to Redline in Knaresborough. Very helpful chap to begin with, showed me an 09 he had just got in. Appologised for it being scruffy, but took me for a drive. I was happy with it apart from a bit of a jerky set off from the junction (my first post on this forum!). The car never got cleaned up to my standards, was still very scruffy. Left it at that point.
Briefly looked at an R8 from GC in Harrogate. Didn't like the ethos that came across from the sales dude, so didn't ask for a test drive. Car stunk of cigs too, and had several bits of dodgy wrapping. They seemed more interested in your monthly spend, suggesting I could change the car quite often and just pay the same monthly (Infinitum probably). Not what I was after, I wanted a carefully owned car, not to join a club...
Put a deposit on one at Strasse in Leeds, had the aerokit too, but a advertising error meant it wasn't for me (innocent admin error, otherwise great people!). I'd happily go there again.
Then, a 2010 with only 8,000 Miles cropped up at McLaren in Ascot. Paid a deposit over the phone after missing out on a few (including that Blue one from down south which went through JZM I believe to a forum member!).
Went down, wasn't offered a drive myself, but a sales guy took us out for a spirited drive. As I'd haggled a 111, borescope (just to be doubly sure - it had been practically stood for 5 years!), and a OPC warranty, I wasn't too worried about issues, as I could go back to them if something came up.
Numerous other drives in parents prospective vehicles, but I've always had them there (which distorts the offering a little - usually get chucked the keys when Ma's with me!!). Range Rovers, Jags etc, never a problem when buying for parents!
So overall, apart from this Turbo, I've always driven what I wanted to drive, sometimes it's easy, you get offered, sometimes you need to persist. I've never been refused flat out though. I think I too would react in the manner 'well sod you then fella' if they weren't even willing to negotiate at which point before signing they'd be happy to let me out.
The only caveat would be ultra low mileage cars. Cars whose value a test drive might affect significantly, or whose blemish free appearance might be ruined.
When I've sold Cars, I've demanded fully comp
Insurance, and if they haven't got it already, I've used dayinsure to cover them, usually at my cost (its that awkward type of issue I don't want to make them pay for a test drive etc, like asking a recent catch if she's got condoms at home, just doesn't come out well...)
It's a bit of admin when they arrive, but all have been happy, and it leaves them with a confidence that your not a wideboy dealer winging it, you do things by the book. What drove it was the guy buying my R32 going straight on at a sharp left about 80mph! Didn't hit anything, but made me realise that these sorts of cars need cover!!
So, overall, there's no reason to refuse you a test drive unless they're really misjudging you, a###holes, or are simply skimping on their own cover.