Inspection for a car you re selling

[Bobton125]

I m selling a 60k car privately, someone has come along looked at it, said they are interested in buying but they want an inspection from a specialist approx 2.5 hours away. I ve suggested a closer one but they want this particular one because they are well known and familiar with the car.

I m fine with any inspection, have nothing to hide with the car and I m sure it ll check out fine.

But I ve never had someone want my car inspected before, what s the normal procedure for logistics?

He said he will pay for the inspection which is fine but should he also pay for a transporter too or is it expected of me to drive it all that way?

If so, how can I avoid spending all that time/fuel/mileage for the potential buyer to be a timewaster afterwards?

Or alternatively, if a transporter is the usual way, How can I ensure it s safe and I m not just handing my keys to a scammer with a transporter?

What s the done thing usually with the logistics of private pre purchase inspections? Thanks for the advice

Edited by Bobton125 on Saturday 11th October 23:19

Edited by Bobton125 on Saturday 11th October 23:31

[vaud]

If he wants it inspecting for a private sale then he is welcome to commission and pay, providing he pays for the transport, insurance and inspection.

Otherwise have the inspector visit you at his cost.

[vaud]

To add - of course he is going to pay for the inspection, it’s his due diligence, not yours.

[samoht]

I'd suggest that you arrange the logistics at the buyer's cost.

I.e. you find a company you're happy with to transport the car to and from the garage the buyer has chosen, and the buyer pays that cost up front and non-refundable.

[Super Sonic]

I would insist it be inspected at yours. If someone comes and collects it 'for an inspection', they may not bring it back.
Unless it is a tvr or something and needs taking to a specialist for inspection, in which case ask id take it yourself and ask if he will pay your petrol.

[Panamax]

Just charge a non-returnable deposit and take the car to his inspection place yourself. Job done.

I wouldn't be faffing about with other people putting it on a trailer etc etc. What happens if you never see the car again?

[Bobton125]

Be annoying if I clock up all those miles, take a day off work to drive a 5hour round trip+ couple hours waiting for them to do the inspection and he pulls out of the deal though?

[Super Sonic]

Bobton125 said:

Be annoying if I clock up all those miles, take a day off work to drive a 5hour round trip+ couple hours waiting for them to do the inspection and he pulls out of the deal though?

Is it a rare, special or unusual car or just a run of the mill thing? If the latter, there should be other buyers. Depends how quickly you want to sell.

[Bobton125]

A Ferrari 360, people in the market for this car isn t that common I d say, especially this time of year. They don’t trade hands very often, only about 30-40 for sale at the moment

Edited by Bobton125 on Saturday 11th October 23:57

[Geertsen]

It would be madness to have your car put on a trailer and taken away by a company arranged by the buyer. I personally wouldn’t want it inspected by a garage of the buyers choosing either on a car of that value if it’s just ‘some bloke’ the buyer knows. If it’s a recognised dealer/garage then obviously less to worry about. However, if you trust the buyer for whatever reason I would agree to drive it there and back myself but charge a larger sum than just the petrol. You could even agree a very high amount for driving to the inspection and agree to deduct it from the final value if the sale goes ahead...?

[119]

Sorry but without full payment that car wouldn’t be turning a wheel from house, transporter or otherwise.

[andy43]

119 said:

Sorry but without full payment that car wouldn t be turning a wheel from house, transporter or otherwise.

I agree, and certainly not for a five hour round trip, either driven or transported.
Maybe worth an hour or two of your time at the most, but a specialist 2.5 hours away is ridiculous when it’s ‘only’ a Ferrari - there are specialists all over the uk, never mind loads of additional race car or classic specialists who’d have no problem checking it out.

[loskie]

surely the inspector can come to the car.
Or if needed to be on a ramp to a local, mutually agreed garage but their inspector.

[Griffith4ever]

119 said:

Sorry but without full payment that car wouldn t be turning a wheel from house, transporter or otherwise.

Likewise.

I know sales of cars like the 360 are slow, but don't let desperation lead you. Personally, I'd insist on an "in situ" inspection. If his boys want to come down, fine. He can pay for them to do that. Is there noe Ferrari specialist near you?

I've only ever had one person ask for an inspection and he was a complete time waster. We never even got to the inspection phase when I told him he was welcome to send someone to me.

On top of this, you may well go to all this effort for him to use tiny niggling points on the inspection to drive you down on the price. He'll know you will have negotiation room if you are prepared to drive 500 miles round trip at his command....

[Rough101]

It’s a bit odd.

There are lots of Ferrari dealers and specialists around.

I’ve seen inspections done with a jack at the sellers premises and also a lot of the specialists know one another and lend ramp time for inspections as they all travel around.

I’ve got 4 Ferrari specialists and dealers within an hour of me and I live in the sticks.

Unless it’s a Spider, I’d have thought a jack up inspection is good enough for a 360.

[NDA]

I bought a similar value 911 last year - it was offered with a 'fresh MOT and service' so I asked the vendor to have the Porsche 111 check done at the same time... which I obviously paid for. I paid a deposit before it went into the dealer for this work. It all worked out fine.

However, I think your potential buyer is asking too much, I would worry that he'd be a difficult buyer.

Perhaps the answer in terms of transport to the distant dealer would be:

1. Firstly a 10% deposit
2. You arrange the transporter (not the buyer) and you have him pay for this in full before you book it. This is not to come out of the deposit.
3. Have full contact with the distant dealer to oversee the inspection process and that it's all booked in and collected on your timetable.

If the buyer so much as wobbles, move on.

[Bobton125]

Just to confirm the inspection place he has chosen is very well known in Ferrari circles and they have serviced the car most of its life (before me taking ownership)

I suggested a closer one to me but that’s was his regular and go-to place.

[Frankychops]

I’d just say yes, they’re not an easy sell at the best of times.

[Scoobz1]

Just do it there, drive it yourself - what's the big deal - plus if he doesnt buy it you get a full inspection report on the car for free or for the drive assuming nothing really bad it would be a good selling point for any subsequent buyer (of course agree with the buyer and the garage in advance that you are going to get a full copy of the report ). If it is an easy sale (guess not) tell him to do one !

[paul_c123]

1. Take a reasonable deposit, but also agree reasonable terms for its refund, eg if the inspection reveals big problems (define big numerically with the potential buyer). Or alternatively, take a small non-refundable deposit
2. Buyer will be paying for inspection and transport. Bear in mind, this means you potentially don't have the ability to see it.
3. Contact the specialist directly yourself to ask for recommendations on transport companies that are happy to do this. Ensure there is an adequate level of GIT cover. Since he's paying, you may as well insist on covered car transporter/covered trailer (I am assuming you've cleaned it, for sale?)