Buying s/hand cars these days
Discussion
How do you actually test drive cars these days with the all the: "No proof of insurance, no drive. Proof of funds. No tyre kickers" attitude of some sellers?
We're not talking £100K+ Supercars here, just run of the mill stuff in the classifieds. I can't imagine a £3000 Golf, for argument's sake, attracting many 'tyre kickers'.
Am I missing something, but how do you actually get insurance on a car you have no details of anyway? To insure a vehicle, even temporarily, you need the reg number, which you may not know until you go and view it?
Is it a case of ringing my insurer on the day for cover? How does that work with some internet only insurers, like Axa and Quotemehappy?
Seen a few cars I like but this has put me off going to view them. I've always just trusted people when selling my cars and let them drive it without seeing insurance details.
It makes me want to just bypass private sellers and go to dealers instead.
We're not talking £100K+ Supercars here, just run of the mill stuff in the classifieds. I can't imagine a £3000 Golf, for argument's sake, attracting many 'tyre kickers'.
Am I missing something, but how do you actually get insurance on a car you have no details of anyway? To insure a vehicle, even temporarily, you need the reg number, which you may not know until you go and view it?
Is it a case of ringing my insurer on the day for cover? How does that work with some internet only insurers, like Axa and Quotemehappy?
Seen a few cars I like but this has put me off going to view them. I've always just trusted people when selling my cars and let them drive it without seeing insurance details.
It makes me want to just bypass private sellers and go to dealers instead.
When I bought the 550i I went along prepared to add it to my insurance if necessary. It can be done online with many. As it turned out the owner was happy to let me have a go under TP only. I guess he made an assessment based on the car I turned up in (cherished E36) and my attitude. I'd probably have done the same. I explained that I wasn't interested in seeing what the performance was like as I was happy in that regard, but would like to check the feel of it for any problems.
Show them the money. Once they know your there to buy I'm sure they will hand the keys over. Your only taking it through the gears and making sure it doesn't slip the clutch really anyway. All other checks can be done on the sellers drive. Don't go insuring yourself on a car just to test drive it. If they insist on that they are trying to hide something. Your normal insurance usually covers you 3rd party on other vehicles.
If they're not willing to play the game, move on.
If they're not willing to play the game, move on.
I've never put that kind of message on an ad - but given if they get caught you can end up with points for letting them drive it, its something I've definitely asked for when people have come to view & wanted a test drive.
The tyre kicker thing, well when putting ads on gumtree I ended up with calls from some absolute weirdos, so I can understand why some people would put it but its a bit rude I agree.
The tyre kicker thing, well when putting ads on gumtree I ended up with calls from some absolute weirdos, so I can understand why some people would put it but its a bit rude I agree.
SuperchargedVR6 said:
H
I've always just trusted people when selling my cars and let them drive it without seeing insurance details.
There's a thread on here where someone did that and the potential buyer turned right across traffic and had a big crash. Turned out his "oh yeah, I'm fully comp on any car" (most unlikely anyway) was actually he was a named driver on his Mum's policy, so wasn't covered to drive other cars at all.I've always just trusted people when selling my cars and let them drive it without seeing insurance details.
If the Police get involved then he'd get done and the owner would get done for permitting.
Last time I looked at a private sale I turned up with a copy of my insurance documents showing I had driving other cars cover. The seller was fine with that. I didn't buy the car mind as the gearbox was knackered. It had been mentioned briefly on the ad but it was far worse than I had expected and would have needed a rebuild.
De Tomaso Advertiser said:
Any expression of interest will require independent evidence of funds to be provided to seller prior to viewing.
This car has been for sale for ever - http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C315664I am mystified as to how the owner thinks that putting something like this in the advert will attract anyone to view the car! Clearly anyone would think it was reasonable to send along a bank statement in advance!
In the past when my insurance didn't cover for driving other vehicles I have gone and seen the car and then purchased a temp cover policy if it was the right car. Now I am covered TP driving with the owners permission its not an issue. Plus I'm not buying anything particularly expensive or driving like a tit in someone else car.
When selling cars I always state it on my adverts and generally make a judgement call on the buyer whether to ask for proof of insurance in person when they come to view a car however most have been happy in the passenger seat (again nothing too expensive though).
When selling cars I always state it on my adverts and generally make a judgement call on the buyer whether to ask for proof of insurance in person when they come to view a car however most have been happy in the passenger seat (again nothing too expensive though).
Carfield said:
This car has been for sale for ever - http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C315664
I am mystified as to how the owner thinks that putting something like this in the advert will attract anyone to view the car! Clearly anyone would think it was reasonable to send along a bank statement in advance!
Also, why is a cash sale 'money laundering':SI am mystified as to how the owner thinks that putting something like this in the advert will attract anyone to view the car! Clearly anyone would think it was reasonable to send along a bank statement in advance!
rufusgti said:
Show them the money. Once they know your there to buy I'm sure they will hand the keys over. Your only taking it through the gears and making sure it doesn't slip the clutch really anyway. All other checks can be done on the sellers drive. Don't go insuring yourself on a car just to test drive it. If they insist on that they are trying to hide something. Your normal insurance usually covers you 3rd party on other vehicles.
If they're not willing to play the game, move on.
So let's get this right.If they're not willing to play the game, move on.
You turn up to buy my car which is prices, at let's say £10K. You show me your inr cert showing you're insured to drive any other car third party. So if you damage my car on a test drive are you going to pay for the damage out of your pocket? Of course not.
It's not a matter of not playing the game at all. If you have ins in place to drive my car fully comp then fine. If not then you won't be driving it full stop.
Thanks guys
I was under the impression and hoped that 3rd party cover from my own policy would suffice. The way some adverts read, it's almost like they expect you to have a specific policy to cover the test drive!
Just checked my Axa policy and it looks like it covers me with the owner's consent:
Anyway, thanks for the advice chaps!
P.S How do you prove you can afford the car, other than turning up with the cash? A copy of a bank statement? I don't want a stranger to see how much or how little is in my bank account!!
With most banks now doing instant or up to 2hr transfers, I'd be more than happy to wire the money over in front of him (or show him the confirmation screen), rather than carrying £1000s in a tesco bag.
I haven't bought a s/hand car for years and just want to update myself with the current best practices!
I was under the impression and hoped that 3rd party cover from my own policy would suffice. The way some adverts read, it's almost like they expect you to have a specific policy to cover the test drive!
Just checked my Axa policy and it looks like it covers me with the owner's consent:
Axa said:
The policyholder may also drive with the owner's permission a car not owned by the policyholder and not hired to the policyholder under a hire purchase or annual leasing agreement and is not used in connection with the motor trade. This is provided the owner of the car has valid insurance in force on that car but which does not cover the policyholder of this Policy to drive that car.
As for the tyre kicking mentality, it works both ways. If a seller has bigged up his advert, then I expect the car to be as advertised when I view it. If it isn't, then equally he has wasted my time and my petrol. Anyway, thanks for the advice chaps!
P.S How do you prove you can afford the car, other than turning up with the cash? A copy of a bank statement? I don't want a stranger to see how much or how little is in my bank account!!
With most banks now doing instant or up to 2hr transfers, I'd be more than happy to wire the money over in front of him (or show him the confirmation screen), rather than carrying £1000s in a tesco bag.
I haven't bought a s/hand car for years and just want to update myself with the current best practices!
markmullen said:
Deva Link said:
If the Police get involved then he'd get done and the owner would get done for permitting.
This. You risk losing your car, and getting done for Cause or Permit driving without insurance, if you don't check.Not an ideal situation.
When I last bought a car privately we agreed the deal in principle subject to me driving it.
I got a bank draft, arranged fully comp, went to pick the car up, drove it first to make sure all was ok, then handed over bank draft for paperwork and drove it home.
Had there been a problem I'd have not completed the purchase and taken the draft back to the bank.
Simple.
I got a bank draft, arranged fully comp, went to pick the car up, drove it first to make sure all was ok, then handed over bank draft for paperwork and drove it home.
Had there been a problem I'd have not completed the purchase and taken the draft back to the bank.
Simple.
silverback mike said:
Just remember though folks, a comprehensive policy will only cover insurance on another car if that car has insurance itself.
Common mistake and prosecutable sadly...
I'm surprised at you saying that - it comes up in every discussion about DOC cover and it's not true.Common mistake and prosecutable sadly...
Deva Link said:
silverback mike said:
Just remember though folks, a comprehensive policy will only cover insurance on another car if that car has insurance itself.
Common mistake and prosecutable sadly...
I'm surprised at you saying that - it comes up in every discussion about DOC cover and it's not true.Common mistake and prosecutable sadly...
This is the exact text from the insurance certificate:
Insurance said:
The policyholder may also drive with the owner's permission a car not owned by the policyholder and not hired to the policyholder under a hire purchase or annual leasing agreement and is not used in connection with the motor trade. This is provided the owner of the car has valid insurance in force on that car but which does not cover the policyholder of this Policy to drive that car.
Some policies may permit driving any car regardless of the level of cover on it, but all of the DOC cover I've ever had on my insurance certificates stipulate that the third party car must be insured by someone else. I guess the only other exception to it is if you're driving a car for a test drive with a valid holder of trade plates, which are being displayed on the car at the time.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff