Selling, test pilots & insurance
Discussion
I told myself I would keep it for a year. So in the spring I will do the unthinkable and sell my beloved Chimaera 
A couple of problems though. Assuming I can actually bear to try and sell it then how can I sort the seriously interested from the I feel like a spin in a TVR, test pilot crowd. Also what to do about insurance.There's no way Im going to let anyone try it without fully com' cover. How does that work?
I had thought about denying them any drive at all but dont want to look like I'm hiding anything.
Any thought's or experience gratefully recieved, cheers.
Martin
A couple of problems though. Assuming I can actually bear to try and sell it then how can I sort the seriously interested from the I feel like a spin in a TVR, test pilot crowd. Also what to do about insurance.There's no way Im going to let anyone try it without fully com' cover. How does that work?
I had thought about denying them any drive at all but dont want to look like I'm hiding anything.
Any thought's or experience gratefully recieved, cheers.
Martin
I think a genuine purchaser will be far more interested in evaluating the condition of the car(bodywork & interior) and its history and maintence, and would agree a purchase subject to inspect by a specialist, rather than wanting to jump straight into the drivers seat and burning rubber.
For the genuine purchaser this is the last thing they will ask. Prefering you to drive, you'll be surprised what you can pick up on a car just being a passenger, far easier to pick up on those knocks, rattles and funny noisies.
I very much doubt that there are many people that will spend 12K+ on a 10year car with a reputation for glitches on a 5 minute spin around the block, as i say preferring the mechanics to be looked at by an expert (if the purchaser has any sense)
>> Edited by mustard on Saturday 3rd January 17:09
For the genuine purchaser this is the last thing they will ask. Prefering you to drive, you'll be surprised what you can pick up on a car just being a passenger, far easier to pick up on those knocks, rattles and funny noisies.
I very much doubt that there are many people that will spend 12K+ on a 10year car with a reputation for glitches on a 5 minute spin around the block, as i say preferring the mechanics to be looked at by an expert (if the purchaser has any sense)
>> Edited by mustard on Saturday 3rd January 17:09
As someone mentioned above, the test drive should be the last thing on their agenda. I would expect a seriously interested potential buyer to spend a good 30-45 minutes checking the car with you present to answer questions, then another 15 minutes looking through the paperwork. This is to decide if they should invest money in paying a professional to look at the car. I once spent almost 2 hours looking at a car (but then I wasn't going to pay the AA so the investment in time made sense).
Warning: words like 'Oh I have fully comp insurance so its not a problem' are nonsense. If they have fully comp then ASSUMING their policy does cover them driving other vehicles (NOT ALL DO!) it will be for 3rd party only, so if they crash into a Nova the Nova is covered, not your car. So they should either hand over a deposit of say £5k to cover any damages, or you can put them temporarily on your insurance (at their cost) or they buy separate insurance for a short period. Certainly shows interest if they are willing to invest a very small amount of money. They may argue that dealers dont make them buy insurance but that's obviously because dealers pay for an all-encompassing policy.
Alternatively put a portable drill in the boot and say if they crash it you'll kneecap them.
Warning: words like 'Oh I have fully comp insurance so its not a problem' are nonsense. If they have fully comp then ASSUMING their policy does cover them driving other vehicles (NOT ALL DO!) it will be for 3rd party only, so if they crash into a Nova the Nova is covered, not your car. So they should either hand over a deposit of say £5k to cover any damages, or you can put them temporarily on your insurance (at their cost) or they buy separate insurance for a short period. Certainly shows interest if they are willing to invest a very small amount of money. They may argue that dealers dont make them buy insurance but that's obviously because dealers pay for an all-encompassing policy.
Alternatively put a portable drill in the boot and say if they crash it you'll kneecap them.
that'll teach me).Would you buy a car you'd never driven? I doubt it. In all cases I've judged the candidate and they've all treated it very well - as I'm in the passenger seat that probably helps! Generally, and especially if they are first-time TVR buyers, they treat it with great respect and take it too easy to do a serious evaluation.
Agree with all above. Just one other comment, if you are going to refuse people a test drive, be very nice about it and clearly explain why. I once went to look at a car and having had a look around was still tempted, but not exactly head-over-heels, but then it was quite cheap. It was the sort of car that you would buy only for how it went, so when I asked if I could take it out for a spin round the block, the owner said 'I'm not going to waste time and petol if you are not going to buy it'. I probably would've bought it, but after that I just said 'Ok, I'll leave it then thanks'.
Mike
Mike
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