Selling a TVR - allow test drives?
Discussion
I'm regretably selling my 400 (see classifieds - shameless plug).
As it can be a bit of handfull to the uninitiated, I'm not sure if I should allow people to test drive it or not. When I bought it the guy let me have a test drive. I don't think I'd ever buy a car if I couldnt test drive it myself. Although it's my pride and joy its not as if its a 100k Aston.
What do you think? Were you allowed a test drive on a private TVR purchase? Would let a potential buyer at the wheel of yours?
As it can be a bit of handfull to the uninitiated, I'm not sure if I should allow people to test drive it or not. When I bought it the guy let me have a test drive. I don't think I'd ever buy a car if I couldnt test drive it myself. Although it's my pride and joy its not as if its a 100k Aston.
What do you think? Were you allowed a test drive on a private TVR purchase? Would let a potential buyer at the wheel of yours?
It's always a tough call..
From my own point of view - if it's nearly new there is not so much to look out for but lets say it's 5 to 10 years old then you would need to inspect everything and test drive too.
I bought my car (T350) without a test drive - but when I went to pick it up - just showed the guy the insurance and my bank balance .. had a quick (time wise) drive and handed over the cash..
I normally have a system of buying that saves wasting peoples time.
Firstly - don't even take an interest if the car is stupidly overpriced.
i.e. They advertise it at same price as a dealer and others similar milage & spec are much cheaper..
If I arrive and don't like the car - I just say sorry not the one for me.
Then I check around visually - if still interested, get then to drive me around : mix of fast and slow - always with roof on ..
Then through check (if 5~10 years old) ..
Then haggle on price.
From my own point of view - if it's nearly new there is not so much to look out for but lets say it's 5 to 10 years old then you would need to inspect everything and test drive too.
I bought my car (T350) without a test drive - but when I went to pick it up - just showed the guy the insurance and my bank balance .. had a quick (time wise) drive and handed over the cash..
I normally have a system of buying that saves wasting peoples time.
Firstly - don't even take an interest if the car is stupidly overpriced.
i.e. They advertise it at same price as a dealer and others similar milage & spec are much cheaper..
If I arrive and don't like the car - I just say sorry not the one for me.
Then I check around visually - if still interested, get then to drive me around : mix of fast and slow - always with roof on ..
Then through check (if 5~10 years old) ..
Then haggle on price.
Reminded me of the time I went to have a look at my old Elise (now sadly departed).
Despite the fact that I turned up in a Saab cabriolet, was in my 30's (just !!), was very smartly attired & was quite knowledgeable about the Elise, the trader wasnt going to let me have a test drive until I showed him a letter Id received from my own Insurers comparing various quotes for TT's, SLK's & 3 series coupes.
Suppose its just a judgement call really & if you like the look of the prospective purchaser.
However, under no circumstances allow spotty, baseball cap wearing, shell suite attited 18 year olds who turn up in G reg Nova GTEs anywhere near your car !! The phrase "Test Pilot" springs instantly to mind.
Despite the fact that I turned up in a Saab cabriolet, was in my 30's (just !!), was very smartly attired & was quite knowledgeable about the Elise, the trader wasnt going to let me have a test drive until I showed him a letter Id received from my own Insurers comparing various quotes for TT's, SLK's & 3 series coupes.
Suppose its just a judgement call really & if you like the look of the prospective purchaser.
However, under no circumstances allow spotty, baseball cap wearing, shell suite attited 18 year olds who turn up in G reg Nova GTEs anywhere near your car !! The phrase "Test Pilot" springs instantly to mind.
I would make it clear to the potential purchaser that test drives would only be permitted with proof of insurance. If you give him / her the details over the phone when you are arranging the viewing, it's up to them to decide if they are comfortable taking the risk of buying after being taken out in the car, or if are keen enough to arrange some cover.
Think of the consequenses or an accident on a test drive when the driver is not covered. I would think your chances of recovering your money from either your own insurer, or out of the driver would be slim.
The legal issues asside, how binding would a 'you bend it, you pay for it' agreement be?
Think of the consequenses or an accident on a test drive when the driver is not covered. I would think your chances of recovering your money from either your own insurer, or out of the driver would be slim.
The legal issues asside, how binding would a 'you bend it, you pay for it' agreement be?
los angeles said:
As Podie says, there's lots of us would not touch a pre-owned car we had not driven.
I was interested in the Clio V6... went to the dealership and they asked for £250 deposit prior to a test drive - refundable on order...
I declined. So they said I should order it anyway... I said I wasn't going to buy a car I hadn't driven...
Personally I'd only let a potential buyer test drive my car if they could satisfy several requirements;
- That they actually look like genuine buyers, checked by talikng about previous cars, how much they know about TVR and the model they're looking at, if they've checked out insurance, servicing etc.
- That they can show me proof of insurance to drive my car, not 3rd party under they're current insurance but fully comp as an additional car on their policy - a genuine buyer wouldn't mind doing this IMHO.
- That they abide by my rules in the car, ie/ if I tell them to take it easy on a particular stretch of road that they actually do so.
- If they can't satisfy any of the above they leave the full asking price in cash as deposit until after the drive.
Otherwise whilst I may risk losing a potential sale at least I don't risk losing my car.
- That they actually look like genuine buyers, checked by talikng about previous cars, how much they know about TVR and the model they're looking at, if they've checked out insurance, servicing etc.
- That they can show me proof of insurance to drive my car, not 3rd party under they're current insurance but fully comp as an additional car on their policy - a genuine buyer wouldn't mind doing this IMHO.
- That they abide by my rules in the car, ie/ if I tell them to take it easy on a particular stretch of road that they actually do so.
- If they can't satisfy any of the above they leave the full asking price in cash as deposit until after the drive.
Otherwise whilst I may risk losing a potential sale at least I don't risk losing my car.
Nuggs said:
I've always worked on the "bend it, you bought it" principle.
Although, shirley it's more dependent upon whether your local test pilot abides to such a gentlemanly code of conduct
You get them to sign their life away prior to handing the keys over
Knew I kept in touch with that lawyer bloke for a reason
I made the then-prospective owner sign something. He thought it was a "you bend it, you buy it" agreement but he obviously didn't read the small print to the small print. Bet a certain PHer is squirming now. 
Anyway, it was a dark, wet afternoon, too, but he sounded sensible, and my women's intuition was right.
I think you have to judge each individual viewer when you meet them.
Anyway, it was a dark, wet afternoon, too, but he sounded sensible, and my women's intuition was right.
I think you have to judge each individual viewer when you meet them.Even if a prospective buyer arranges their own insurance, who's to say it's adequate? If you've got agreed cover, have they? For an equal or higher amount? What about insuring modifications? Most unlikely any such cover would be adequate IMHO. I've bought several cars without driving them - yes in an ideal world I'd have driven before buying (I've always driven an equivalent model at a dealer), but if a thorough mechanical inspection, and crucially a passenger ride driven by the owner (from which, observing their driving habits as well as concentrating on the behavior of the car I believe I can learn more than if I drive the car myself) don't highlight any problems I doubt I'd find anything further by driving. You pay a lower price buying privately, and there's a higher degree of risk - but you would potentially narrow the market by refusing to buy a car you can't drive. As a seller I wouldn't allow a test drive of a TVR unless the deal was essentially done, and money exchanged and cleared - subject to test drive (the basis on which I've bought the above cars). Even then I'd insist on going out with the new owner for their first drive - to make sure they're happy and address any problems.
Hi Jamie
Really sorry to hear you’re selling your Griff. I test drove mine before buying. It was a private sale but the owner happened to be the owner of a car showroom and had covered the Griff on the business policy. It was therefore covered on insurance.
It’s a real dilemma. I would not be keen to allow anyone to drive it unless insured fully comp. That probably means they either have to take out a policy (v. expensive) or you go through the hassle of adding them to your policy. Someone mentioned £10 which seems v. cheap to me.
I suppose the good thing is that you can say no to test drives on the first viewing and then you can judge whether the buyer is keen/sound enough to justify the effort of getting them insured. It’s worth remembering that a test drive can sell the car – I was very keen on mine but the test drive just sealed it for me.
Hope all goes well.
Really sorry to hear you’re selling your Griff. I test drove mine before buying. It was a private sale but the owner happened to be the owner of a car showroom and had covered the Griff on the business policy. It was therefore covered on insurance.
It’s a real dilemma. I would not be keen to allow anyone to drive it unless insured fully comp. That probably means they either have to take out a policy (v. expensive) or you go through the hassle of adding them to your policy. Someone mentioned £10 which seems v. cheap to me.
I suppose the good thing is that you can say no to test drives on the first viewing and then you can judge whether the buyer is keen/sound enough to justify the effort of getting them insured. It’s worth remembering that a test drive can sell the car – I was very keen on mine but the test drive just sealed it for me.
Hope all goes well.
Gazboy said:
B17NNS said:
Podie said:
Not being funny lads, but I wouldn't buy a car that I hadn't driven...
me neither
Or me. Bit like marrying someone you've never met....
Agree- had I bought and paid for the Chim I drove prior to driving it, I'd be spitting blood- it simply didn't do what it said on the tin. Interesting bit of double standards going on here btw.
And yet, 1000s of cars are bought every week at auction by punters who've never driven them.
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