How do you handle test drives?

[queensgate2]

With the imminent arrival of our first baby, I will have to do what I was afraid would happen one day - sell my Carrera. When I bought it, I did not even test drive it.

Now I will have some fellow enthusiasts / potential buyers start viewing it after Easter. What I wonder is - how do you handle test drives? Do you let people try out your car in a test drive when selling? And if so where and how (I live in Central London)?

Thanks for any recommendations!

Mod note: Let's not make this an ad.

Edited by Bill on Friday 6th April 14:20

[fastgerman]

Excellent site! Looks like you've put some serious effort in. Did you see the video of a 930 targa a few months ago - owner was selling the car as a life style, very clever.

Don't let anyone go for a drive without you in the passenger seat and without proof of insurance on your car. The 'I'm fully comp on my car so covered third party on yours' is no good.

You'll have to judge if they are serious and if so, go for a drive away from traffic. Don't be scared to refuse test drives.

[barchetta_boy]

It's a tricky one. I think a good starting point is to make it very clear in your advertising that people will be expected to prove insurance before driving. I don't think you'll put anybody off by stating this, and if a prospective buyer goes to the trouble of arranging it then, subject to your impressions when you meet them, you can be confident they are fairly serious about it. In such circs I would be happy to allow a drive.

Having said that, the last 3 cars I bought (964 C2, Caterham, BMW 330i) I didn't drive. Didn't even see the 964 before doing the deal, although I did before handing over the cash. Caterham I had a long passenger ride in (just as well as it's like nothing else I've ever driven, fairly intimidating and I would probably have been scared off on a test drive, although i now love it). On the other hand I drove my 928 and realised that there was nothng fundamentally wrong with it, I couldn't remember the last time I saw a manual 4.5 for sale and I should probably just buy it...

I digress: you're asking top money, it looks like a very good example, I think you'll find (weirdly) that the buyer for this car will not necessarily insist on a drive, though they will insist on an inspection. Now, as to where and how: tricky this. I think the conversation for those that are interested is - inspection or no inspection. If not, will they buy subject to a drive? Try and do the deal before the test drive and make the drive a final "sign-off" on the deal. If they do want an inspection, they'll probably buy without a drive if they inspection goes well, like I did the 964.

I'd arrange to meet them at 8am on a sunday morning and go for a blast up and down the Embankment if you're truly central. It's probably as good as it's going to get without heading out on the A4 or something.Avoid North and East London obviously.

Hope this helps

Joel

[A11UUH]

fastgerman said:

Don't let anyone go for a drive without you in the passenger seat and without proof of insurance on your car. The 'I'm fully comp on my car so covered third party on yours' is no goods.

That makes sense, however I've always wondered how do you get insurance/ proof of insurance on a car that you're just initially going to look at?

[queensgate2]

A11UUH said:

That makes sense, however I've always wondered how do you get insurance/ proof of insurance on a car that you're just initially going to look at?

Good point. When I was out to find the 3.2 back in 2006, I found a "one day insurance" on the internet which I duly purchased for some 20,- pounds each time I went to see a car. It was only when I read the small print behind the small print that I realized that cars older than 10 years were not covered! But I think it helps nevertheless from a signalling perspective - a potential buyer who takes care to insure himself is likely to be more considerate and diligent than your average punter.

[queensgate2]

fastgerman said:

Excellent site! Looks like you've put some serious effort in.

Thank you! It started with me wanting to take some pictures to keep for myself as a memory of a car I truly cherished....but then it got out of hand and became a website...

[spyderman8]

If someone's insurance turns out to be insufficient, immediately offer to take them out as a passenger.

Superb motor - I really hope you get a decent price for it.

[RiccardoG]

One problem I have found when trying to get my own insurance extended to cover cars registered in other people's name is that, according to my insurers, I don't have an insureable interest and therefore they cannot do this.

If I was in your shoes I'd not let the viewers drive it the first time round but then, if they decided to come back, you can add them on your insurance for the day.

[DC5TEG]

I've sold a fair few performance cars over the years. You get to spot the ones 100% interested and the ones who want some info and a hurl in the car. Most of my sales have been from different ends of the UK to me, so i know they are serious as they have just booked a flight from Heathrow to Glasgow. However i let them check the car over fully, i take them a run in it, they hand over the cash and then i let them drive it. They spot a fault, i will hand them the cash right back. They crash it, tough st, i have my cash and they have just crashed their own car.
I know that sounds a bit harsh, but its a rough world out there.

If i am buying, what's good for one, is good for the other, i won't expect to be treated any different. When i have checked, been a passenger, and happy with what i see, call my insurance and swap over policies. Although, be careful when you do this,lol, make sure your insurance company is actually open!!!

But its worked for me many times over, never once had anyone complain, as everyone i have sold a car to has been a decent guy. Had a couple of folk who never even asked to drive it, took one look, handed over the cash and drove away, happy as pigs in poo.

[queensgate2]

barchetta_boy said:

it looks like a very good example, I think you'll find (weirdly) that the buyer for this car will not necessarily insist on a drive, though they will insist on an inspection.

@ fastgerman & @barchetta_boy: thank you very much for your advice, that is really helpful. And I think your point above is spot on: within less than 24 hours I have now received two offers, one of which at asking price, based on the information provided on the website alone and subject to inspection. I will certainly agree to any professional inspection, so that may solve the test drive insurance issue.

[stefan1]

queensgate2 said:

@ fastgerman & @barchetta_boy: thank you very much for your advice, that is really helpful. And I think your point above is spot on: within less than 24 hours I have now received two offers, one of which at asking price, based on the information provided on the website alone and subject to inspection. I will certainly agree to any professional inspection, so that may solve the test drive insurance issue.

That is a lovely car and quite easily the best advert I have ever seen for a car of its type. If I didn't already own a 3.2 Carrera, I'd have been first in line!

Good luck with the sale and hope it goes to a good home.

Cheers

[queensgate2]

stefan1 said:

That is a lovely car and quite easily the best advert I have ever seen for a car of its type. If I didn't already own a 3.2 Carrera, I'd have been first in line!

That's very kind, thank you for the feedback. Happy Easter!

[Durzel]

Going to be selling my Cayman soon and I'm honestly quite worried about giving test drives. I've taken pride, amongst other things, in ensuring that I haven't overreved the car once. Overrevs is also one of those things that imo could stand to wipe serious money off of the valuation. So a test pilot misses a shift (I've got a SSK to potentially complicate things), says "thanks I'll be in touch", and I'm left with a car that is suddenly far less attractive than one that hasn't been buzzed.

Or maybe I'm overthinking it