Test drives on a private sale...
Discussion
I know this has been done before - people seem to be quite divided between the "if you're buying a car, you want to drive it" camp and the "if you want dealer services, go to a dealer" lot.
However, do people's opinions change if the car you're selling is a bit different? It pains me to say that I'm going to have to sell my pride and joy as I'm buying my first house and need the cash.
It's an 04 40th Anniversary and, as such is a bit different from the standard 996 C2. In addition to the cosmetic stuff it's got the X51 power kit and stiffened suspension. It's noticeable faster than a C2 and more rewarding to drive. Problem is, I can't just tell people to test drive at an OPC and then come to me to save 5k since they rarely come up at dealers (one at Chester OPC now i think).
What's the consensus here? If it was yours, would you let any old Charlie have a go? If you were buying, would you expect a test drive straight away?
However, do people's opinions change if the car you're selling is a bit different? It pains me to say that I'm going to have to sell my pride and joy as I'm buying my first house and need the cash.
It's an 04 40th Anniversary and, as such is a bit different from the standard 996 C2. In addition to the cosmetic stuff it's got the X51 power kit and stiffened suspension. It's noticeable faster than a C2 and more rewarding to drive. Problem is, I can't just tell people to test drive at an OPC and then come to me to save 5k since they rarely come up at dealers (one at Chester OPC now i think).
What's the consensus here? If it was yours, would you let any old Charlie have a go? If you were buying, would you expect a test drive straight away?
well, you need to decide where YOUR boundaries are.
For a car like the 911, I would demand to see proof of at the bear minimum 3rd party coverage from their policy, and they should be able to get a days fully comp coverage for £20 on their policy.
I wouldn't let someone test it that turned up, walked around the car then asked to drive it - but I also personally wouldnt buy a car without driving it, as every car is different, and its a way of looking/listening for faults that may not be apparant.
My advice to you is, anyone coming to look at it demand at least 3rd party coverage - and if they want to drive, offer them a short one (you drive out, and let them do it back), under the understanding if they want a longer one to return with fully comp days coverage, and you'll knock the cost of that off the selling price.
This will also help you find the serious buyers.
For a car like the 911, I would demand to see proof of at the bear minimum 3rd party coverage from their policy, and they should be able to get a days fully comp coverage for £20 on their policy.
I wouldn't let someone test it that turned up, walked around the car then asked to drive it - but I also personally wouldnt buy a car without driving it, as every car is different, and its a way of looking/listening for faults that may not be apparant.
My advice to you is, anyone coming to look at it demand at least 3rd party coverage - and if they want to drive, offer them a short one (you drive out, and let them do it back), under the understanding if they want a longer one to return with fully comp days coverage, and you'll knock the cost of that off the selling price.
This will also help you find the serious buyers.
Real tough one as you note. My head always tells me no in these situations and for "standard" cars its always easy to use the "try the car at a dealer" excuse and then pocket the difference with me. That said if they know their stuff and it all checks out as a genuine special edition the savvy buyer should get comfort that it will perform as it says on the tin (especially after you've taken it for a through drive with him/her). I know I reluctantly let people drive my cars when selling them. Its your pride and joy after all and you have no way of knowing whether they have any decent road skills, awareness etc - simply having the cash to buy a fast car proves nothing when it comes to driving skills. If it makes the sale then it might be worth it - if you can get a cast iron insurance cover from his own insurer up to the value of the car then perhaps give it a go if it makes the sale. Best of luck.
I think you've got to satisfy yourself that they are serious and make an assessment of the level of risk involved and weight that up against how much you want to sell the car. If a 17 year old clown turns up on the bus looking like he works in the chip shop, I'd not let him. But if I had a call from a serious buyer first, who asked lots of questions that verified to me he was serious and trying to make an important buying decision, who then turned up and was generally a sensible chap who I believed may be in the market for such a car I'd be very happy for them to take it for a drive.
I also stress that if they crash it, then they've bought it. I've never got anyone to sign anything agreeing to this, but guess you could if you wanted. Not that I think it would end up being worth much if it got to court. And asking to see confirmation of their third party cover (or whatever you want them to have) is obviously a good idea.
I personally would never buy a specific vehicle without driving that actual one. There's only so much you can tell from the passenger seat about the health of the car you are sat in. I do not see the test drive when buying privately as a chance to decide if you like that model of car or not. I'd never be fully happy that the car I was buying was sound if the seller would not let me drive it, so I'd end up walking away.
I also stress that if they crash it, then they've bought it. I've never got anyone to sign anything agreeing to this, but guess you could if you wanted. Not that I think it would end up being worth much if it got to court. And asking to see confirmation of their third party cover (or whatever you want them to have) is obviously a good idea.
I personally would never buy a specific vehicle without driving that actual one. There's only so much you can tell from the passenger seat about the health of the car you are sat in. I do not see the test drive when buying privately as a chance to decide if you like that model of car or not. I'd never be fully happy that the car I was buying was sound if the seller would not let me drive it, so I'd end up walking away.
Edited by willdew on Thursday 4th January 13:46
Thanks for the advice guys. Like most things in life common sense is probably the best way forward.
What concerns me is not sorting out insurance for a serious buyer, but the implications should the worst happen (ie serious damage in an accident or a full write off).
Though it's never happened to me, people always seem worse off when this happens. You're without your car for ages and then it's worth less, or the insurance payout on the write off is less than a replacement car would cost.
Perhaps I should "pay" a dealer to take the risk...
*reads kayc's thread*
What concerns me is not sorting out insurance for a serious buyer, but the implications should the worst happen (ie serious damage in an accident or a full write off).
Though it's never happened to me, people always seem worse off when this happens. You're without your car for ages and then it's worth less, or the insurance payout on the write off is less than a replacement car would cost.
Perhaps I should "pay" a dealer to take the risk...
*reads kayc's thread*
Its a fairly specialist car, so i would imagine any serious buyer would be an enthusiast and up to speed with its spec over standard.
Personally if it was me buying I would be happy with an extended trip in the passenger seat. Any serious failings on the car that would warrant walking away from it should be as detectable from there as the driving seat.
Many years ago I bought a 1982 911SC from Nick Faure. After he had taken me for the most 'spirited' drive I have ever experienced on a public road, the last thing I wanted to do was get behind the wheel and let him see what a numpty I was !
Personally if it was me buying I would be happy with an extended trip in the passenger seat. Any serious failings on the car that would warrant walking away from it should be as detectable from there as the driving seat.
Many years ago I bought a 1982 911SC from Nick Faure. After he had taken me for the most 'spirited' drive I have ever experienced on a public road, the last thing I wanted to do was get behind the wheel and let him see what a numpty I was !
The other alternative is to put it up on sale or return with a non-franchised dealer.
I've bought and sold my last couple of cars this way and it works surprisingly well.
You will get close to your asking price and don't spend hours dealing with time wasters, the dealer makes a few bob without the capital outlay plus may get a tasty part-ex from KayC
I've bought and sold my last couple of cars this way and it works surprisingly well.
You will get close to your asking price and don't spend hours dealing with time wasters, the dealer makes a few bob without the capital outlay plus may get a tasty part-ex from KayC
it is highly unlikely you will be requested to allow someone to testdrive your car whom you havent spoken to on the phone beforehand. (if you are willing to give the keys of a £40k motor to a "walk-in" then you deserve all you get). I dont think it unreasonable to point out during the conversation that, given the value of the car, you will expect to see proof of insurance. after all, for most policies it takes only minutes on the phone to arrange short term cover. it will cost the prospective purchaser very little when you add the cost of travel to you and any PPI and will possibly weed out a few test pilots
Im of the opinion that the buyers 'proof of insurance' isn't good enough to be honest. At the end of the day, if a claim was required, what is to stop the buyer walking away and saying "sorry its not my responsibility" especially if he is going to have a £50k claim on his insurance. The only way to be sure is to do it through YOUR insurance to make damn sure you are covered. I would not accept a buyers 'proof' off insurance unless it was with my company!
Steve
Steve
I brought my M3 coupe privately, viewed the car and asked if we could go out. There was no offer of a drive, so I didn't ask (I know what it's like and despite being 29, don't look a day over 21!).
I called the seller back on the Monday, we agreed a price subject to a clear HPI report and me driving the vehicle. By which time he realised I wasn't a time waster, drove the car en route to the local Natwest to arrange funds.
The rest is history! Just take each buyer as they come, try and pick quiet times of day and if your really nervous take them to an industrial estate on the weekend or something.
I called the seller back on the Monday, we agreed a price subject to a clear HPI report and me driving the vehicle. By which time he realised I wasn't a time waster, drove the car en route to the local Natwest to arrange funds.
The rest is history! Just take each buyer as they come, try and pick quiet times of day and if your really nervous take them to an industrial estate on the weekend or something.
As a buyer, I wouldn't buy any car without test driving it. I wouldn't however expect the seller to just hand over the keys without asking for insurance and even signing a "you break it, you pay for it" agreement.
As a seller, I'd want to see insurance. I'd also expect the guy to spend about an hour looking round the car, checking the documentation etc. The test drive, like the inspection, would come at the end. If the buyer doesn't like it, then tough. I'm actually considering asking if they've had quotes for insurance to avoid having time wasted by those idiots who say they'll buy it and 3 days later (after I've turned down other potential buyers) they call me to say they couldn't afford/get insurance... (or undoubtedly, I'd have to chase them up as that is how people are these days).
As a seller, I'd want to see insurance. I'd also expect the guy to spend about an hour looking round the car, checking the documentation etc. The test drive, like the inspection, would come at the end. If the buyer doesn't like it, then tough. I'm actually considering asking if they've had quotes for insurance to avoid having time wasted by those idiots who say they'll buy it and 3 days later (after I've turned down other potential buyers) they call me to say they couldn't afford/get insurance... (or undoubtedly, I'd have to chase them up as that is how people are these days).
When buying private i don't ask for a drive. I work better watching the owner driver and listening to the car and feeling what is going on. Its a lot easier when you are in a strange town trying figure out where to go.
I would (now) never allow someone to drive my car, insurance or no insurance, it hasn't stopped me selling one to date, however my preferred method of sale is part ex / ebay depending on vehicle
I would (now) never allow someone to drive my car, insurance or no insurance, it hasn't stopped me selling one to date, however my preferred method of sale is part ex / ebay depending on vehicle
Most people paying this sort of coin will want that car inspecting. I organised this before even seeing the car due to the distance involved, and relied on the guy inspecting it to tell me if it was worth buying.
If you do take them out for a test drive, you drive on the outward journey to get the car nice and warm, and when you transfer to the passenger seat, TAKE THE KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION and walk round to the passanger seat. I've heard many horror stories of "buyers" sliding over to the drivers side, locking the doors and taking off leaving the seller standing by the roadside.
If you do take them out for a test drive, you drive on the outward journey to get the car nice and warm, and when you transfer to the passenger seat, TAKE THE KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION and walk round to the passanger seat. I've heard many horror stories of "buyers" sliding over to the drivers side, locking the doors and taking off leaving the seller standing by the roadside.
A friend of mine used this when he sold his 968. He told the buyer that if he paid for the insurance he would knock it off the price if he brought it.
Cost about £25
www.dayinsure.com/
Cost about £25
www.dayinsure.com/
968csreading said:
A friend of mine used this when he sold his 968. He told the buyer that if he paid for the insurance he would knock it off the price if he brought it.
Cost about £25
www.dayinsure.com/
Cost about £25
www.dayinsure.com/
Thats the company I linked to above but they don't cover more than £40k current car value so not an option for the pricier cars.
Steve
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