City guide: Where to find the new Mercedes CLA and EQ models for test drives and rentals

Looking for a Mercedes CLA or the latest EQ EV for a test drive or short rental? Start here.

If you travel between cities, commute for work, or plan an outdoor weekend and struggle to find a convenient, affordable short-term electric vehicle, you're not alone. Dealers and carshare fleets moved cautiously through 2024–25; now in 2026 the landscape has changed quickly. This localised guide shows where to find the newest Mercedes CLA and EQ models for test drives and short-term car rental, how to book reliably, and what to check before you drive off.

Quick summary — what matters right now

Mercedes resumed wider availability of EQ vehicles and began shipping the new CLA to markets in late 2025. That means two practical routes to drive or rent one in 2026:

• Official dealerships that hold demo/test-drive cars and short-term loaner fleets.
• Shared mobility providers and carshare fleets that are adding EQ models to hourly or daily hire pools.

Below you'll find city-specific tactics (how to find the nearest dealership and nearest-share fleet), booking scripts, short-term rental checklist, and a troubleshooting section for common EV friction points like charging and insurance.

Recent context — why 2026 is a turning point

Late 2025 and early 2026 saw two relevant developments: Mercedes paused new EV orders mid-2025 and reopened EQ orders by January 2026; at the same time, the new electric CLA began arriving in markets. This created a short window where demand outpaced allocation, but by 2026 dealers and mobility fleets are replenishing stock. Carshare operators are also accelerating electrification as charging networks and vehicle logistics mature.

Mercedes re-opened EQ orders in early 2026 after a pause in 2025 — expect more demos and fleet units in dealer yards and carshare pools this year.

Where to look first: nearest dealership search (localised, fast)

Use a two-layer approach: manufacturer sources for official stock and independent inventory searches for nearby demos.

1) Manufacturer and dealer group sites

• Start at the Mercedes-Benz regional site (or Mercedes Me) — filter by model (CLA / EQ) and demo availability. Many dealers publish a live test-drive scheduler and list demo cars.
• Check major dealer groups active in the UK: Sytner, Inchcape, Lookers, Pendragon. These groups handle large allocations and often host event fleets for new model launches.

2) Google Maps + inventory queries

Search pattern for fast results: "Mercedes dealer [city name] CLA demo" or "Mercedes EQ test drive [city]". Then click the dealer website to view the 'stock' or 'demo' tab — many dealers update this hourly.

3) Call and confirm (10-minute script)

Once you identify a nearby dealer, use a short call script to get fast answers:

1. “Hi — I’m interested in test driving the Mercedes [CLA/EQ]. Do you have a demo available this week?”
2. “Which trim and battery does the demo have, and is it on charge?”
3. “How long is the test drive and can I take it on a mixed route (motorway + urban)?”
4. “Do you require proof of insurance or a deposit?”

Where to find Mercedes cars in carshare and rental fleets

Carshare fleets are now a practical option to test the real-world usability of Mercedes EVs for short trips, weekend getaways and commuting trials. Here's how to find them and what to expect.

1) Large carshare and hourly fleets

• Zipcar, Enterprise Car Club and similar operators have been adding premium EVs to city hubs; search their apps for "Mercedes" or filter for full electric vehicles.
• Look for city hubs near transport interchanges — airports, train stations, and central car-clubs often get newer models first.

2) EV subscription and short-term rental services

New subscription providers and short-term EV rental services are stocking Mercedes EQ SUVs and sedans for daily or weekly hire. These services often include charging credits and flexible drop-off options — ideal for travellers testing range on longer trips.

3) Peer-to-peer (P2P) platforms

P2P platforms increasingly show private Mercedes CLA and EQ owners listing vehicles. These are useful when dealer/ fleet stock is limited. Check verification badges, reviews, and insurance options before booking.

City-specific examples — where to look in major UK cities (practical starting points)

Below are real-world search tactics and starting points for five UK city types. Use these as templates for other cities.

London (dense market, many demos)

• Target central dealer hubs and flagship stores; these get the earliest demo allocations.
• Use carshare apps to locate Mercedes EQ units near major train stations and airports — London’s high demand means frequent turnover.

Manchester / Birmingham (regional hubs)

• Look for dealer groups with regional distribution centers; they rotate demos between sites. Call ahead to request a specific model transfer if needed.
• Book carshare slots 48–72 hours in advance for weekends — fleets here often serve cross-city commuters.

Edinburgh / Glasgow (tourist and local mix)

• Airports and city-centre hubs often host rental fleets including EQ models for visiting passengers. If you're on a short visit, combine arrival at the airport with a same-day pickup.

Smaller cities and towns (limited stock)

• Expect to travel to the nearest city hub for a test drive. Use dealer transfer requests or short-term rentals from airport locations to bridge gaps.

Practical booking tips — secure a test drive or rental with low friction

Follow this checklist to reduce friction and increase your chance of a seamless drive.

Pre-booking checklist

• Confirm model and trim: Ask whether the demo is the CLA EV or an ICE CLA, and which EQ model (EQA, EQB, EQC, EQE depending on your market).
• Verify charge state: For an EV test drive, request the car be at least 80% charged so you can experience acceleration and regen across an appropriate route.
• Bring required documents: Full driving licence, confirmation email, and any proof of age. Some dealers require international licences or an additional ID for tourists.
• Insurance & deposits: Confirm dealer or platform insurance policy. For P2P, choose listings with included insurance and collision damage waiver (CDW).

On arrival — what to check in the first 5 minutes

• Check the vehicle identity (registration and VIN) against your booking confirmation.
• Ask for a live walk-through of key EV functions: charging socket type, charging port status, regeneration settings, and climate preconditioning.
• Request the dealer to set driving modes for your route—comfort, sport, or eco—so you can compare range vs performance.

Short-term rental tips — what travellers and commuters need to know

Renting a Mercedes EQ or CLA for a day or a week is different from an ICE vehicle. Plan for charging, app access and range.

Range and charging strategy

• Know the vehicle's WLTP/real-world range for the specific trim. Urban use often yields higher range due to regeneration; motorway use lowers it.
• Identify fast chargers near your route and confirm which charging networks accept the payment method linked to your rental (some fleets include charge cards or credits).
• If you’re on a multi-day rental, ask the provider about overnight charging options — some carshare hubs have reserved chargers for fleet vehicles.

Costs and hidden fees

Check for per-mile excess charges, low-battery penalties, and charging reimbursement policies. Ask whether charging costs are included or billed after the rental.

Insurance, verification and trust — reduce booking anxiety

Trust and reliable coverage are top concerns. Here’s how to verify protection before you drive.

Dealer test drives

• Dealers typically offer temporary test-drive insurance that covers you for the duration of the drive. Confirm excess amounts and any exclusions.
• Ask about additional driver fees if you plan to have a partner or colleague drive the demo.

Carshare and P2P platforms

• Only book vehicles with platform-verified IDs and recent reviews.
• Choose options that include third-party liability and damage protection; request a copy of the policy if it’s not visible in-app.

Business & fleet perspective — integrating Mercedes EQ and CLA into operations

For small businesses and managers looking to trial a short-term fleet, the 2026 moment is good to run pilot programs that combine dealer loaners and carshare partnerships.

Pilot program blueprint (6–12 weeks)

1. Define use cases: commuter shuttles, sales reps, or local deliveries.
2. Request dealer demo units or short-term rentals for staff trials (most dealer groups support corporate loaners for evaluation).
3. Measure operational KPIs: charging time, downtime, average daily range, and maintenance costs.
4. Compare costs of own-fleet acquisition vs subscription or shared-fleet integration.

Common problems and fast fixes

Here are recurring issues travellers and commuters report, with practical fixes.

Problem: No demo available nearby

Fix: Ask the dealer to transfer a demo or schedule a regional demo day — many dealer groups rotate vehicles between branches. Alternatively, search carshare and P2P listings for private owners temporarily listing their Mercedes.

Problem: Charging port type mismatch

Fix: Confirm port type (CCS2 for most EU/UK vehicles) before booking. If the rental provides a physical charge card or app, test the app in advance at a nearby charger.

Problem: Insurance uncertainty on P2P

Fix: Prioritise platform-insured listings and request a clear statement of cover. If in doubt, pay for supplemental cover through the platform or an independent provider that specialises in short-term EV rentals.

What to ask during the test drive — essential checklist

• “What is the realistic range you’d expect for my regular daily route?”
• “Can you show me how to locate and initiate public chargers using the car’s map and linked apps?”
• “Is vehicle software up to date, and does the car get over-the-air updates?”
• “What are the local servicing windows and EV-specific maintenance items?”

Advanced strategies for 2026 and beyond

As fleets and dealerships scale EV availability, here are higher-level tactics to stay ahead.

1) Use price and availability alerts

Set alerts on dealer inventory pages and carshare apps for "CLA" or "EQ" keywords — many providers now support push-notifications for vehicle arrivals.

2) Join loyalty and corporate programmes

Dealer loyalty programmes and corporate accounts often get priority access to demos and fleet units during new-model rollouts. If you travel often for work, request a corporate account to secure bookings.

3) Leverage multi-modal trips

Combine public transport with short EV rentals for last-mile flexibility — especially useful for urban travellers who want test-mileage without city parking headaches.

Final takeaways — quick action plan

1. Search manufacturer and major dealer-group sites for CLA and EQ demo listings.
2. Use carshare apps and P2P platforms as alternatives when dealer stock is limited.
3. Confirm insurance, charge level, and demo trim before you arrive.
4. For businesses, run a 6–12 week pilot combining dealer loaners and short-term fleet integrations.
5. Set alerts and join loyalty/corporate programmes to catch new allocations early in 2026.

Experience note (real-world example)

On a recent 2026 weekend trial in a regional city, a commuter combined a dealer test drive in the morning with an afternoon rental from a local carshare that had an EQ model listed for hourly hire. The dealer demo let them evaluate range and regen on motorway sections, while the carshare session tested urban charging logistics — together the two gave a fuller picture than either option alone.

Resources and next steps

When you’re ready, take these immediate actions:

• Locate the nearest Mercedes dealer and request a CLA/EQ demo slot for the coming week.
• Search carshare apps for "electric" and "Mercedes" filters in your city and set availability alerts.
• If you manage a small fleet, contact your preferred dealer group to request a short-term corporate loan for a 2–4 week pilot.

Call to action

If you want a personalised list of nearby dealers and carshare hubs that currently stock Mercedes CLA or EQ models, tell us your city and travel dates — we’ll compile live availability checks and a booking checklist tailored to your trip. Book smarter: request your local list now and get the fastest routes to a Mercedes test drive or rental in 2026.

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