Protecting yourself when selling privately
Discussion
Anyone who's ever sold a performance car privately will probably know the kind of people that can be attracted to the idea of having a go in something tasty and quick with no intention of buying it.
I've had a few bad experiences with this in the past (one lad very nearly killed us both, another badly kerbed a wheel then just buggered off) and I want to avoid it if possible. More recently if I've felt that the type and value of car has warranted it, I've made it a condition of a test drive that the prospective buyer provides proof of fully-comp insurance on the car for that day with the incentive that I'll knock the cost of that off the sale price if they buy it.
Whilst some people are fine with that- me included, as it's also been asked of me a few times when buying privately- it does seem to really put some genuine potential buyers off.
Are there any other ways to reduce these sorts of risks when selling privately? I was thinking taking a deposit beforehand would be another idea, but then if it's an expensive car it's probably going to be an even less attractive option for a potential buyer to just give you a load of their money before you've agreed to sell them the car.
I've had a few bad experiences with this in the past (one lad very nearly killed us both, another badly kerbed a wheel then just buggered off) and I want to avoid it if possible. More recently if I've felt that the type and value of car has warranted it, I've made it a condition of a test drive that the prospective buyer provides proof of fully-comp insurance on the car for that day with the incentive that I'll knock the cost of that off the sale price if they buy it.
Whilst some people are fine with that- me included, as it's also been asked of me a few times when buying privately- it does seem to really put some genuine potential buyers off.
Are there any other ways to reduce these sorts of risks when selling privately? I was thinking taking a deposit beforehand would be another idea, but then if it's an expensive car it's probably going to be an even less attractive option for a potential buyer to just give you a load of their money before you've agreed to sell them the car.
Although they could prove insurance....they'll only likely be 3rd party.
I always dobthe driving and nobody else drives. I'll drive how and for as long as they want but no chance they are driving by flashing a proof of insurance.
What happens if they stuff it into a ditch or whatever and then deny their part?
Feck that
I always dobthe driving and nobody else drives. I'll drive how and for as long as they want but no chance they are driving by flashing a proof of insurance.
What happens if they stuff it into a ditch or whatever and then deny their part?
Feck that
lord trumpton said:
I always dobthe driving and nobody else drives. I'll drive how and for as long as they want but no chance they are driving by flashing a proof of insurance.
As a buyer in a private sale it's a deal breaker if I can't drive it myself. It's a piece of piss for the seller to disguise a slipping clutch, or judder/imbalance through the wheels/brakes, or a misfire at a certain rpm/load from the driver's seat.Olivera said:
As a buyer in a private sale it's a deal breaker if I can't drive it myself. It's a piece of piss for the seller to disguise a slipping clutch, or judder/imbalance through the wheels/brakes, or a misfire at a certain rpm/load from the driver's seat.
Agreed, if I cannot drive it then I would not buy plain and simple.I'm past selling cars privately, but back when I did, I'd make it crystal clear that I would be driving, and willing to go anywhere and drive in any manner of his choosing. If he decided to proceed with the purchase, after monies were exchanged, we would test drive again with him at the wheel, and the deal could be called off for ANY reason, providing no damage had been caused.
I never had a deal reversed, and upon return from test drive No2, we'd complete the paperwork.
Usually, simply describing my policy would sort the serious from the not so serious buyers. And that I suspect is half the battle.
I never had a deal reversed, and upon return from test drive No2, we'd complete the paperwork.
Usually, simply describing my policy would sort the serious from the not so serious buyers. And that I suspect is half the battle.
Edited by FeelingLucky on Sunday 13th March 22:34
FeelingLucky said:
I'm past selling cars privately, but back when I did, I'd make it crystal clear that I would be driving, and willing to go anywhere and drive in any manner of his choosing. If he decided to proceed with the purchase, after monies were exchanged, we would test drive again with him at the wheel, and the deal could be called off for ANY reason, providing no damage had been caused.
I never had a deal reversed, and upon return from test drive No2, we'd complete the paperwork.
Usually, simply describing my policy would sort the serious from the not so serious buyers. And that is suspect is half the battle.
I like this method. It's fair, protects both parties and will also sort out serious buyers from chancers as you say.I never had a deal reversed, and upon return from test drive No2, we'd complete the paperwork.
Usually, simply describing my policy would sort the serious from the not so serious buyers. And that is suspect is half the battle.
wpa1975 said:
Olivera said:
As a buyer in a private sale it's a deal breaker if I can't drive it myself. It's a piece of piss for the seller to disguise a slipping clutch, or judder/imbalance through the wheels/brakes, or a misfire at a certain rpm/load from the driver's seat.
Agreed, if I cannot drive it then I would not buy plain and simple.It's not complicated. First visit to view the car; taken for drive by the owner. Then, if you're still interested, come back with (a) cash deposit in your pocket, and (b) comprehensive insurance (whether day insurance or longer term) and you can drive the car.
If you want to sell a chav magnet like a BMW or Merc, you're probably better off selling via 'we buy any car' rather than endure the hassle?
Demanding one day fully comp insurance just for a test drive is not something I would entertain personally. But that said, if it was an expensive car, I wouldn't risk a private sale in the first place. I'd want piece of mind from a dealer, rather than risk caveat emptor.
Demanding one day fully comp insurance just for a test drive is not something I would entertain personally. But that said, if it was an expensive car, I wouldn't risk a private sale in the first place. I'd want piece of mind from a dealer, rather than risk caveat emptor.
Panamax said:
FeelingLucky said:
I'm past selling cars privately...
I don't know why so many people give up on this. Perhaps they earn so much every week that they don't need an extra £500-£1,000 tax free in exchange for a small amount of effort. I suppose it depends what the car is.
For a £2/3K daily I'm not too bothered but something more valuable I'm not so keen to let potential buyers drive. Although you tend to get a feel based on your impression of them.
But I've found that using a dedicated forum has worked well. I've bought and sold a couple of BMW Z4s that way and each time I was selling I found both buyers weren't the tyre-kicker, test-pilot type. The first didn't ask to drive it, but I asked him how he'd like me to drive it. The 2nd took out 1 day cover on his phone so I let him drive having seen confirmation. Got a sale both times!
I was slightly surprised (and pleased) both times I went to look at a Z4M Coupe the sellers let me drive them, but maybe being over 60 and turning up in a Z4 Coupe helped to reassure them?
But I made a point of driving very sensibly, and bought the 2nd one.
Just hope I never have to sell it, but maybe my mate with trade-plates would help out for a drink!
For a £2/3K daily I'm not too bothered but something more valuable I'm not so keen to let potential buyers drive. Although you tend to get a feel based on your impression of them.
But I've found that using a dedicated forum has worked well. I've bought and sold a couple of BMW Z4s that way and each time I was selling I found both buyers weren't the tyre-kicker, test-pilot type. The first didn't ask to drive it, but I asked him how he'd like me to drive it. The 2nd took out 1 day cover on his phone so I let him drive having seen confirmation. Got a sale both times!
I was slightly surprised (and pleased) both times I went to look at a Z4M Coupe the sellers let me drive them, but maybe being over 60 and turning up in a Z4 Coupe helped to reassure them?
But I made a point of driving very sensibly, and bought the 2nd one.
Just hope I never have to sell it, but maybe my mate with trade-plates would help out for a drink!
How much does it cost for one day comprehensive cover? Any restrictions? What sort of excess?
I would be wary of letting someone I didn’t know drive an expensive car of mine.
Only expensive car I sold privately was in Switzerland. Guy turned up with £70k in cash - which in other countries would be very odd or dubious but not in Switzerland.
I would be wary of letting someone I didn’t know drive an expensive car of mine.
Only expensive car I sold privately was in Switzerland. Guy turned up with £70k in cash - which in other countries would be very odd or dubious but not in Switzerland.
I sold in 2018 my 5 year old Mercedes E250 CDI AMG Sport that I’d owned from six months old privately.
As I can recall the price was £14 to £15k and the guy that bought it was a knowledgeable car enthusiast. He didn’t have insurance and was happy for me to drive it. He bought it there and then and paid by bank transfer
Selling my Mirafiori Sport in 91 was a different story with a multitude of time wasters and day trippers
As I can recall the price was £14 to £15k and the guy that bought it was a knowledgeable car enthusiast. He didn’t have insurance and was happy for me to drive it. He bought it there and then and paid by bank transfer
Selling my Mirafiori Sport in 91 was a different story with a multitude of time wasters and day trippers
bad_panda said:
FeelingLucky said:
I'm past selling cars privately, but back when I did, I'd make it crystal clear that I would be driving, and willing to go anywhere and drive in any manner of his choosing. If he decided to proceed with the purchase, after monies were exchanged, we would test drive again with him at the wheel, and the deal could be called off for ANY reason, providing no damage had been caused.
I never had a deal reversed, and upon return from test drive No2, we'd complete the paperwork.
Usually, simply describing my policy would sort the serious from the not so serious buyers. And that is suspect is half the battle.
I like this method. It's fair, protects both parties and will also sort out serious buyers from chancers as you say.I never had a deal reversed, and upon return from test drive No2, we'd complete the paperwork.
Usually, simply describing my policy would sort the serious from the not so serious buyers. And that is suspect is half the battle.
If you're going to sell privately allowing potential buyers a test drive is something you'll have to stomach. It's fair to request they have insurance and don't drive like an idiot.
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