Selling a car and 'test drives'

[Flying machine]

I hate selling cars - really hate it. For all the reasons that have been flagged up in recent threads such as "things that put you off a car" etc. For this reason I often end up trading them in as a result. Well, not that I'm looking to sell a car - very happy with my current car - but... What sort of attitudes do people have towards 'test drives' with a totally unknown person? What is the insurance situation if there is a shunt of any kind? I wouldn't be that concerned with a car of a couple of thousand - i.e. it would be on a "you bend it, you pay for it" if they had the cash. But what about more expensive cars?? Just curious really.

[Debaser]

Flying machine said:

I hate selling cars - really hate it. For all the reasons that have been flagged up in recent threads such as "things that put you off a car" etc. For this reason I often end up trading them in as a result. Well, not that I'm looking to sell a car - very happy with my current car - but... What sort of attitudes do people have towards 'test drives' with a totally unknown person? What is the insurance situation if there is a shunt of any kind? I wouldn't be that concerned with a car of a couple of thousand - i.e. it would be on a "you bend it, you pay for it" if they had the cash. But what about more expensive cars?? Just curious really.

I always include the line 'No test drive without proof of fully comprehensive insurance' in any car adverts.

[falkster]

I'd take them for a drive and if they wanted the car they get their money, they come insured with a bag of cash - if for whatever reason they didn't like the drive they get the cash back.
Did exactly that last week selling my Evo. Worked a treat, gets rid of test pilots and tts.

[VeeTEC]

Cheap cars I just let them take it for a spin with me as pax.

More expensive cars I'd either drive myself, or depending on my impression of them, I might let them drive if they could prove they were insured.

When I sold my CTR I wasn't going to let a chavvy little tt rag it about.

[vxrandy]

Debaser said:

Flying machine said:

I hate selling cars - really hate it. For all the reasons that have been flagged up in recent threads such as "things that put you off a car" etc. For this reason I often end up trading them in as a result. Well, not that I'm looking to sell a car - very happy with my current car - but... What sort of attitudes do people have towards 'test drives' with a totally unknown person? What is the insurance situation if there is a shunt of any kind? I wouldn't be that concerned with a car of a couple of thousand - i.e. it would be on a "you bend it, you pay for it" if they had the cash. But what about more expensive cars?? Just curious really.

I always include the line 'No test drive without proof of fully comprehensive insurance' in any car adverts.

Even if they have fully comp insurance they will still only be third party to drive your car.

[Debaser]

vxrandy said:

Debaser said:

Flying machine said:

I hate selling cars - really hate it. For all the reasons that have been flagged up in recent threads such as "things that put you off a car" etc. For this reason I often end up trading them in as a result. Well, not that I'm looking to sell a car - very happy with my current car - but... What sort of attitudes do people have towards 'test drives' with a totally unknown person? What is the insurance situation if there is a shunt of any kind? I wouldn't be that concerned with a car of a couple of thousand - i.e. it would be on a "you bend it, you pay for it" if they had the cash. But what about more expensive cars?? Just curious really.

I always include the line 'No test drive without proof of fully comprehensive insurance' in any car adverts.

Even if they have fully comp insurance they will still only be third party to drive your car.

I wouldn't let them drive without proof of fully comp insurance on my car. Nobody has bothered so far so nobody gets to test drive them.

[Adz The Rat]

When I sold my Corrado VR I drove it with the person viewing it as a passenger. Offered them a drive if they had insurance, they didnt so they didnt drive it.

[crofty1984]

Fully comp on my car, ta very much. That dayinsure is only about £20, so it's not that big of a risk. I don't mind if they want to have a look before making their mind up and use my laptop to get the day insurance if they fancy it.

[bazking69]

Depends on the person. I always insist on seeing a cover note that they are at least third party, and even then it is at my discretion. I always make them aware of this before they come.

[Olivera]

If I was going to view a car for sale I'd always expect a test drive on my own insurance (so 3rd party only) unless the car was either rare or very expensive. Insisting on temporary fully comp insurance before a test drive is going to put off 99% of people. I would first make sure though that the prospective purchaser was genuine and likely to treat the car with respect. If so then I'd be happy to give them a drive of my own car.