Test drives for private sales
Discussion
what is normal regarding letting someone test drive your pride and joy when selling privately? Previously I've traded my 'old' TVR in when buying a new one though this time the trade in I've been offered is shockingly poor. I know I'm a bit precious about it (only me ,my wife and the mechanics working on it have ever driven it) but I am concerned about what is to be expected. Obviously if your buying a TVR or any sports car you need to drive it but I've never been on the selling side of the equation. Any advice?
Either the potential buyer produces a comprehensive cover note or they settle for an extensive demonstration drive.
In the latter case the vendor is likely to give it some beans on roads he knows and the buyer can concentrate on seeing/hearing/feeling how the car behaves.
Otherwise you need to seriously consider what would happen if your test pilot throws it into a ditch.
In the latter case the vendor is likely to give it some beans on roads he knows and the buyer can concentrate on seeing/hearing/feeling how the car behaves.
Otherwise you need to seriously consider what would happen if your test pilot throws it into a ditch.
Dom as you say you maybe being precious but just to take the situation to the worst case. Even if you do ensure they have fully comp insurance,what happens if they still trash it. You will then be left with ,possibly, a write off or a cat (?) regd car. I personally would be very wary of letting anyone drive my car when trying to sell it
Out of interest, where can you get fully comp cover for a test drive of someone elses car? When I was looking to buy my Chim I looked around and couldn't find anywhere that would cover me for a single test drive....the only thing I could think of was to make use of the 14 day cooling off period, but that seems a touch dodgy - especially if you are looking at lots of cars!
Alex
Alex
No one will get to test drive my TVR - end of story.
If the person is a real buyer and they've done their research, they have already decided they want this car/model when they come to see it. So take a good look around the car, then I'll drive it round trip 20 miles minimum and when we get back you can take another look around and check anything you want. If you want it we'll negotiate a price that assumes a clean report (for a vehicle of this age, etc.) from an independent inspection by a mechanic of your choice that I will pay for if you put down a 500 quid deposit. If anything significant needs fixing we can negotiate, either I get it fixed at my cost or we agree a modified price to reflect the cost of the buyer getting it fixed.
If the person is a real buyer and they've done their research, they have already decided they want this car/model when they come to see it. So take a good look around the car, then I'll drive it round trip 20 miles minimum and when we get back you can take another look around and check anything you want. If you want it we'll negotiate a price that assumes a clean report (for a vehicle of this age, etc.) from an independent inspection by a mechanic of your choice that I will pay for if you put down a 500 quid deposit. If anything significant needs fixing we can negotiate, either I get it fixed at my cost or we agree a modified price to reflect the cost of the buyer getting it fixed.
hut49 said:
No one will get to test drive my TVR - end of story.
If the person is a real buyer and they've done their research, they have already decided they want this car/model when they come to see it. So take a good look around the car, then I'll drive it round trip 20 miles minimum and when we get back you can take another look around and check anything you want. If you want it we'll negotiate a price that assumes a clean report (for a vehicle of this age, etc.) from an independent inspection by a mechanic of your choice that I will pay for if you put down a 500 quid deposit. If anything significant needs fixing we can negotiate, either I get it fixed at my cost or we agree a modified price to reflect the cost of the buyer getting it fixed.
If the person is a real buyer and they've done their research, they have already decided they want this car/model when they come to see it. So take a good look around the car, then I'll drive it round trip 20 miles minimum and when we get back you can take another look around and check anything you want. If you want it we'll negotiate a price that assumes a clean report (for a vehicle of this age, etc.) from an independent inspection by a mechanic of your choice that I will pay for if you put down a 500 quid deposit. If anything significant needs fixing we can negotiate, either I get it fixed at my cost or we agree a modified price to reflect the cost of the buyer getting it fixed.
So how can an independant machanic or engineer properly evaluate the car if you refuse to let them drive it?
Would you buy a car without test driving it, on the say so of someone paid by the vendor to say how good it is, knowing they haven't driven either?
I know I wouldn't
sparkythecat said:
hut49 said:
No one will get to test drive my TVR - end of story.
If the person is a real buyer and they've done their research, they have already decided they want this car/model when they come to see it. So take a good look around the car, then I'll drive it round trip 20 miles minimum and when we get back you can take another look around and check anything you want. If you want it we'll negotiate a price that assumes a clean report (for a vehicle of this age, etc.) from an independent inspection by a mechanic of your choice that I will pay for if you put down a 500 quid deposit. If anything significant needs fixing we can negotiate, either I get it fixed at my cost or we agree a modified price to reflect the cost of the buyer getting it fixed.
If the person is a real buyer and they've done their research, they have already decided they want this car/model when they come to see it. So take a good look around the car, then I'll drive it round trip 20 miles minimum and when we get back you can take another look around and check anything you want. If you want it we'll negotiate a price that assumes a clean report (for a vehicle of this age, etc.) from an independent inspection by a mechanic of your choice that I will pay for if you put down a 500 quid deposit. If anything significant needs fixing we can negotiate, either I get it fixed at my cost or we agree a modified price to reflect the cost of the buyer getting it fixed.
So how can an independant machanic or engineer properly evaluate the car if you refuse to let them drive it?
OK - I should have made it crystal clear - a TVR main dealer or a recognised indie - they are experienced and insured
Would you buy a car without test driving it, on the say so of someone paid by the vendor to say how good it is, knowing they haven't driven either?
Now I'm confused
- the buyer selects an independent inspector of their choice (TVR main dealer or indie) I pay I know I wouldn't
I did when I bought mine and I'll cross you off the prospective buyers list (not that its for sale
) Edited by hut49 on Saturday 7th October 16:47
sparkythecat said:
hut49 said:
No one will get to test drive my TVR - end of story.
If the person is a real buyer and they've done their research, they have already decided they want this car/model when they come to see it. So take a good look around the car, then I'll drive it round trip 20 miles minimum and when we get back you can take another look around and check anything you want. If you want it we'll negotiate a price that assumes a clean report (for a vehicle of this age, etc.) from an independent inspection by a mechanic of your choice that I will pay for if you put down a 500 quid deposit. If anything significant needs fixing we can negotiate, either I get it fixed at my cost or we agree a modified price to reflect the cost of the buyer getting it fixed.
If the person is a real buyer and they've done their research, they have already decided they want this car/model when they come to see it. So take a good look around the car, then I'll drive it round trip 20 miles minimum and when we get back you can take another look around and check anything you want. If you want it we'll negotiate a price that assumes a clean report (for a vehicle of this age, etc.) from an independent inspection by a mechanic of your choice that I will pay for if you put down a 500 quid deposit. If anything significant needs fixing we can negotiate, either I get it fixed at my cost or we agree a modified price to reflect the cost of the buyer getting it fixed.
So how can an independant machanic or engineer properly evaluate the car if you refuse to let them drive it?
Would you buy a car without test driving it, on the say so of someone paid by the vendor to say how good it is, knowing they haven't driven either?
I know I wouldn't
Mechanic was of buyer's choice, rather than vendor's.
I'd be similar, though I'd be more inclined to allow a known specialist to drive rather than Joe Bloggs who answered an ad.
Thanks for the help, though I'm even more concerned following ray-von's comment. Hut49's approach seems sort of sensible but in reality can I really expect someone to buy the car without driving it? We all know that one TVR can feel quite different to another so if I was buying one I'm sure I'd want to drive it. So, direct question - would you buy a TVR without test driving it first?
I reckon the way to deal with this is as follows:
Buyer gets extensive description on phone and sent by email as many pics as they want.
Then yhey are serious and want to see car.
You arrange for them to see the car. If still serious they get a demonstration drive.
If still serious i.e. They will buy the car subject to a test drive.
The pair of you sit at your home PC. You go online and visit:
www.dayinsure.com
You buy on the buyers' credit card fully comprehensive insurance and print out the cover note. It costs £10 to £20 quid. You explain if he purchases you knock the £10/£20 off the price of the vehicle.
Buyer test drives car with you in passenger seat.
If unhappy the buyer is worse off to the tune of £10 to £20 quid.
If happy he buys and it cost you the £10/£20. Small price to pay for the peace of mind.
Buyer gets extensive description on phone and sent by email as many pics as they want.
Then yhey are serious and want to see car.
You arrange for them to see the car. If still serious they get a demonstration drive.
If still serious i.e. They will buy the car subject to a test drive.
The pair of you sit at your home PC. You go online and visit:
www.dayinsure.com
You buy on the buyers' credit card fully comprehensive insurance and print out the cover note. It costs £10 to £20 quid. You explain if he purchases you knock the £10/£20 off the price of the vehicle.
Buyer test drives car with you in passenger seat.
If unhappy the buyer is worse off to the tune of £10 to £20 quid.
If happy he buys and it cost you the £10/£20. Small price to pay for the peace of mind.
If you do let someone drive your car accompanied on a test drive with only third party insurance, you need to make an assessment of how serious they are about buying it but more importantly an assessment of the individual themselves.
I've sold all my cars privately, some individuals I've declined, others I am more comfortable with their abilities, their experience of TVRs and what they understand by a 'test drive'. So far my judgement has not let me down.
I've sold all my cars privately, some individuals I've declined, others I am more comfortable with their abilities, their experience of TVRs and what they understand by a 'test drive'. So far my judgement has not let me down.
Gassing Station | General TVR Stuff & Gossip | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff