Private sale - test drives, and how to take payment?
Discussion
I may be selling a £20K car at some point and it's been years since I sold a car. Do private sellers normally allow test drives? I know potential buyers can get fully comp 'day insurance' but as a seller, how can I be sure it's valid? How do you ensure you've REALLY got the money, before handing over the keys & log book? Suitcase full of £10 notes 
? Are there any escrow schemes out there?
? Are there any escrow schemes out there?All good advice, only think I'll add is that if using bank transfer, do it at the near the start of the day and preferably not at a weekend.
Mate sold a car (about similar value) and buyer paid by transfer on his phone (Saturday evening). Money left buyer's account but did not reach my mate's account. They waited about an hour for it to go through but it didn't! Bit of a standoff (polite enough) - as far as the buyer was concerned, the money had left his account so he wanted to leave with the car. Mate didn't have the funds in his account so didn't want to let the car go.
There was no-one sensible to speak to at either bank on Sat night, so my mate ended up giving the buyer all the keys for the car and blocked it in on his driveway. The money appeared in his account several hours later, he saw it when he got up and called the very relieved buyer to let him pick up the car.
Mate sold a car (about similar value) and buyer paid by transfer on his phone (Saturday evening). Money left buyer's account but did not reach my mate's account. They waited about an hour for it to go through but it didn't! Bit of a standoff (polite enough) - as far as the buyer was concerned, the money had left his account so he wanted to leave with the car. Mate didn't have the funds in his account so didn't want to let the car go.
There was no-one sensible to speak to at either bank on Sat night, so my mate ended up giving the buyer all the keys for the car and blocked it in on his driveway. The money appeared in his account several hours later, he saw it when he got up and called the very relieved buyer to let him pick up the car.
Personally for higher priced cars I take the new owner to the bank and get it deposited - No one's ever complained about this and everyone walks away happy! Cheaper ones I'm happy to just take cash.
I just let people drive it with me in the passenger seat. Last car I sold person couldn't even be bothered test driving it! Just handed over the money and ran lol.
I just let people drive it with me in the passenger seat. Last car I sold person couldn't even be bothered test driving it! Just handed over the money and ran lol.
Last car I bought was a shade over £20K.
Owner allowed me to test drive by just asking if I had insurance. I told him I was fully comp on my car and that allowed me to drive his third party.
I paid by bank transfer.
Last car I sold was under £8K
Buyer was told he couldn't drive unless insurance produced. He was happy with me driving.
Paid cash (I did ask for bank transfer)
Owner allowed me to test drive by just asking if I had insurance. I told him I was fully comp on my car and that allowed me to drive his third party.
I paid by bank transfer.
Last car I sold was under £8K
Buyer was told he couldn't drive unless insurance produced. He was happy with me driving.
Paid cash (I did ask for bank transfer)
you'll limit your market if you don't allow test drives without fully comp insurance, i wouldn't buy a car if i can't test drive it, having being burnt buying a car with a slipping clutch after being refused a test drive, i won't get caught out like that again!
Obviously make a judgement call on it though, if some dude rocks up in a FFRR dressed smartly with his missus and kids i'd be more inclined to allow a test drive than some guy from Hayes with 3 of his mates in a knackered old slamed 3 series with tints
Obviously make a judgement call on it though, if some dude rocks up in a FFRR dressed smartly with his missus and kids i'd be more inclined to allow a test drive than some guy from Hayes with 3 of his mates in a knackered old slamed 3 series with tints
Proof of insurance that allows them to drive other cars. Them saying 'I'm fully comp' isn't good enough. Not every policy allows it, and most require the vehicle to be insured it its own right.
Full asking price left with me or I drive.
That being said, the last two cars I got they left me the keys and let me take it out.
Full asking price left with me or I drive.
That being said, the last two cars I got they left me the keys and let me take it out.
LosingGrip said:
Proof of insurance that allows them to drive other cars.
I'm for this as I'm sure you get done also for letting someone drive without proper insurance.Wasn't there also something about keeping the keys on you until you've plonked yourself down in the passenger seat so they don't jump in and drive away before you've got in?
I expect insurance, normally if they're serious about the car they won't have an issue setting up their actual policy ahead of the test drive knowing they can cancel the policy if needed. Even a £40 cancellation fee isn't much on a >£20k car.
As for transfers, I've learned my lesson - only ever do it during bank working hours. I had a nervous few hours waiting to receive £18k for a private sale and also tried to buy a car for £7k which involved a chat with the Santander anti-fraud team.
I think going to the branch is a bloody good idea, I did it for a recent ~£30k purchase albeit to a trader and it went through immediately no fuss.
As for transfers, I've learned my lesson - only ever do it during bank working hours. I had a nervous few hours waiting to receive £18k for a private sale and also tried to buy a car for £7k which involved a chat with the Santander anti-fraud team.
I think going to the branch is a bloody good idea, I did it for a recent ~£30k purchase albeit to a trader and it went through immediately no fuss.
POORCARDEALER said:
You drive.
Bank transfer
Sorted
This Bank transfer
Sorted
My experience was a private sale circa 16k, down in London. Arranged time and date to view, travelled by train, let the owner do the test
drive with me in the passenger seat. Did all the usual HPI checks, service history checks beforehand, then when happy with the deal off
to the bank and exchanged funds into the relevant accounts. Handed over the keys and paperwork.....all done.
Everything on cctv within the bank, just for added safety /security.
Thanks for all the answers so far. There's no way I'm letting anybody drive my car with no insurance or only 3rd party cover, if they write it off I'd be £20K poorer.
One question about the daytime bank transfer, do you mean I take them to my bank, ask them to make the transfer (using their phone app or by calling their bank) and then get proof from my bank that the money's in my account? I thought there was some way a payment like this could be reversed?
The last car I sold was for about £600... that was 15 years ago
One question about the daytime bank transfer, do you mean I take them to my bank, ask them to make the transfer (using their phone app or by calling their bank) and then get proof from my bank that the money's in my account? I thought there was some way a payment like this could be reversed?
The last car I sold was for about £600... that was 15 years ago
My last 5-6 cars I’ve sold I’ve let the buyers go on an extended test-drive. That way they can test the cars over properly and have a good chance to experience the car.
Anything that says no test drives reeks of having hidden faults - I certainly wouldn’t hand over any sum of money without testing car, so I wouldn’t expect a buyer should either!
Anything that says no test drives reeks of having hidden faults - I certainly wouldn’t hand over any sum of money without testing car, so I wouldn’t expect a buyer should either!
The way I've done it recently is to drive them to a quiet industrial estate/business park, let them have a few laps, then I drive back. £20k car I'd demand fully comp insurance though.
And definitely bank transfer every time, get them to send 1p before they come to make sure it's all set up.
And definitely bank transfer every time, get them to send 1p before they come to make sure it's all set up.
-Pete- said:
Thanks for all the answers so far. There's no way I'm letting anybody drive my car with no insurance or only 3rd party cover, if they write it off I'd be £20K poorer.
One question about the daytime bank transfer, do you mean I take them to my bank, ask them to make the transfer (using their phone app or by calling their bank) and then get proof from my bank that the money's in my account? I thought there was some way a payment like this could be reversed?
The last car I sold was for about £600... that was 15 years ago
Surely you just go to your bank and they pay the money into your account?One question about the daytime bank transfer, do you mean I take them to my bank, ask them to make the transfer (using their phone app or by calling their bank) and then get proof from my bank that the money's in my account? I thought there was some way a payment like this could be reversed?
The last car I sold was for about £600... that was 15 years ago
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