Wants a test drive but no insurance

[carmadgaz]

When I went to buy my first MX-5 I made sure I had a day cover policy so I could give it a test drive. Guy who was selling was more than happy with that.

I drive a lot of cars on my DOC extension and if I trust the person I'm happy to lend a car my car to them on their DOC. I run a "If I bend it I mend it" mentality and they know I expect the same from them.

If I was selling a car like a TVR though I'd be rather wary about letting anyone else driving it in general. As someone suggested before, they would have to pay up the price as deposit then try it, if they bring it back unscathed and decide against it then refund and on the way.

[andy873]

Exactly my thoughts OP!

I wouldn't let any random off the street drive my car without Fully Comp.

What I do say to perspective buyers is that will refund the day policy if they end up buying (to a max of £50).

[Snowboy]

Bear in mind a lot of fully comp policies now don't have DOC, or specify 'emergency only'.

[9mm]

I judge each case on its merits. If it's a £1000 snotter the prospective buyer can drive it on his own if he wants, providing he assures me he's insured. If it's a £10K car I might trust his assurances about his TP insurance cover and let him have an accompanied drive, together with a verbal agreement about how the car will be driven and "you bend it you mend it". On a £30K car, no-one is driving it without day cover or some other comprehensive cover.

I might change any of the above if the buyer was known to me or gave me the wrong vibe.

The idea that just because someone is interested in the car they will have the full purchase price on them to hand over as a deposit is just daft. I don't think I've ever turned up carrying more than an appropriate deposit and often nothing at all. If I like the car it'll be a quick trip to the cashpoint for a deposit.

[uuf361]

This is a bit of an odd one. I've never bought a car without driving it and have never bought insurance just to test drive that car, even if a private sale, and don't think I would either.

I've also let others test drive very car I've sold privately, without any problems, guess I could just be lucky.

If someone told me before viewing that I'd need fully comp cover (as opposed to the 3rd party I have) I'd have to think if I really wanted that car (highly unlikely) or move on to the next - would be much more annoying if you only found this out when you went to view......

[carreauchompeur]

I generally go through a test drive with the current owner, check I'm happy with the documentation etc and then if it all checks out, change my insurance to the car in question for a final check drive. Seems to work alright.

[Funkycoldribena]

I've bought probably 25 cars privately in my lifetime and not one person has asked to see a cert of insurance.I've always been insured third party and if I crashed it I would of bought it.Maybe its different out here in the sticks..

[TheBALDpuma]

If I was really serious on buying a car, and would 100% go forward with it if the test drive proved faultless then a quick phone call to my current insurer and they'll cover me on pretty much any car for a week for about £30. Even on a £1k shed I think it's worth it, so on a much more expensive TVR that's exactly what I'd be doing.

[Devil2575]

Jasandjules said:

I've let people test drive with 3P insurance cover only.

Not sure it was wise of me to do so however.

Me too.

I personaly think it's a bit unreasonable to expect people to take out comprehensive cover to test drive a car unless it really is something expensive.

It is your choice though and if you are comfortable with limiting the potential pool of buyers then that's fine.

[DonkeyApple]

V8RX7 said:

I hand over a bag of money - I return the car and I get it handed back.

I then negotiate the price based on any faults found and how much I want to own that car.

I can see from your vast Garage section that you are a wealthy man who is clearly a skilled negotiator.

Pray tell us more.

I've only owned two hundred or so cars and have lost money on 3 in the last 25 years - please help me improve.

At least as a trader you can offset those losses as well.

[Lee540]

I am the same as the OP. I have refused test drives/test rides without comprehensive insurance cover. Day insurance isn't expensive if you really want to test drive.

[9mm]

Day cover might put off a few genuine prospects but it will put off a lot of dreamers and timewasters.