Selling advice

[ChrisH72]

It's been a few years since I last sold a car privately and although I really don't relish the prospect I'm going to put my current car up for sale. At the moment I can manage easily without a car for a few weeks so it makes sense to sell first then take my time looking for the next motor.

Couple of questions that you good people might be able to help with please?

In the current situation with lockdown and social distancing, how would you deal with viewings and test drives? I'm not comfortable letting someone take the car our on their own but I'm not sure it's okay for me to be in the car with them. I was thinking maybe if I insisted we both wore face covering and gloves like taxi drivers? I'd be interested to hear what those who have sold recently did.

Also I'm not sure how to deal with insurance. Whenever I have sold in the past I always had my next car waiting so it was fine. But if there's a gap in car ownership how does that work? Would I need to cancel my policy and if so, would that have any impact on my NCB?

Cheers in advance.

[Petrolsmasher]

ChrisH72 said:

It's been a few years since I last sold a car privately and although I really don't relish the prospect I'm going to put my current car up for sale. At the moment I can manage easily without a car for a few weeks so it makes sense to sell first then take my time looking for the next motor.

Couple of questions that you good people might be able to help with please?

In the current situation with lockdown and social distancing, how would you deal with viewings and test drives? I'm not comfortable letting someone take the car our on their own but I'm not sure it's okay for me to be in the car with them. I was thinking maybe if I insisted we both wore face covering and gloves like taxi drivers? I'd be interested to hear what those who have sold recently did.

Also I'm not sure how to deal with insurance. Whenever I have sold in the past I always had my next car waiting so it was fine. But if there's a gap in car ownership how does that work? Would I need to cancel my policy and if so, would that have any impact on my NCB?

Cheers in advance.

Unless either party has an underlying health condition i would just do it as normal, the media and government has completely overdramatised the whole thing, with regards to the test drive i would drive myself and let them be passenger, if they want to see how the car drives let them test drive one at a local garage then just hop in yours as a passenger to listen for noises and make sure its all okay.

[blueovercream]

Wipe the car down before and after with disinfectant wipes and ensure you both wear masks (as people do in taxis). Can't think of much else you can do. Or else wait until this has died down before you sell.

Regarding insurance, in my experience, you can simply cancel the policy but you'll lose the current year of no claims discount if you haven't completed the year. When you get a new car, your new insurer will ask for a letter of proof of no claims from your previous insurer. Most companies will allow a 2 year gap before the accrued discount lapses.

[ChrisH72]

Yes, it's not so much that I'm worried about Covid. More that it may put people off or they might ask me about it.

If someone seems genuine I'm okay with them driving. I remember going to look at a car at a local back Street trader. He made a big deal about proof of insurance and would not let me drive. Obviously I walked away, no chance I was going to buy a car I'd never driven. In contrast, when I bought my current car I was allowed to just take it out on my own and to be honest that is what really sold it to me. But as a private seller I wouldn't take that risk!

[ChrisH72]

I could wait a bit. But it seems a good opportunity to move on as I won't need a car until around September. If I list it now I can take my time and try for a decent price.

I think the masks are probably the way to go if people are concerned.

[Fiisch]

Anyone who still thinks social distancing is a good idea in the wake of Dominic Cummings etc etc... won't be looking to buy a car privately.

Anyone who is disregarding government advice may see your advert and be interested to buy.

I sold a car in the middle of May and the transaction was as you were, albeit we didn't seal the deal by licking each other's faces.

[ChrisH72]

Also on insurance,

Is it okay to just keep the current policy even when the car is sold so I can just change car details when I get the next one? I’ve only recently renewed so would imagine that to be the cheapest way rather than cancel and have to take a new policy. Not sure if it’s legal though? Can you still have an active policy on a car you no longer own?

[Jamescrs]

I bought a cheap second hand car a few weeks ago, process was same as it always has been really apart from all the paper work was done outside on the driveway.

[Speed Badger]

Isn't there a thing with insurance that if you're still insured on a car you've sold (even if the other person has insured it themselves) that you still may be liable for an accident?

I was wondering the same thing about test drives / viewings actually. My Clio 182 has become something of a paperweight at the moment and pondering letting someone else enjoy it.

[ChrisH72]

That’s the kind of thing I’m worried about.

After a bit of googling it does seem like you need to cancel the insurance or in some cases the insurance company can suspend it. I suppose I’ll just give them a call when the car sells and take it from there.

Cheers