Test drives for potential buyers - private sale.

[rs4007]

Just some advice.
Selling up and have a few people coming to look at my car, but being a private sale, what do people normally do about giving people a test drive? 3rd party cover on their insurance is of course not enough (which them simply driving up in a car is also not proof of), so how do people deal with that problem, or is it a case of just taking them for a drive and that's what you have to deal with as a private buyer!?
Thanks.

[pDkALO]

Personally I've always been pretty clear on this - if someone's coming to look at a private sale car (especially a high performance one like an RS), then they know that they definitely want one, and are on the look out for a good'un. Hence a "test drive" isn't needed. If they're trying to decide between say, an RS and an M3, then there are enough dealers out there who are fully insured for them to play to their hearts content. Instead, I'll tell them that if they're genuinely interested I'll take them out as a passenger and they can ask me to drive it how they want to see it driven - and I can then do the usual stuff like standing on the brakes to prove it's sound. If they know what they're after then they'll soon pick up nasty noises and wheels falling off etc.

Both of my last private sales have been on that basis (a TVR and a Scooby) and the buyers were more than happy - in fact, the TVR buyer virtually got the cash out there and then when I was power sliding it round a big roundabout "just to show him that it handled properly"

I'd only be happy to let someone behind the wheel with fully comp insurance in place in their name (and even then it's not completely clear cut - if it were me I'd agree the basis of them driving in writing and both sign something, just in case the worst happened). If they're serious about the car and really need to put their mind at rest with a test drive then there's no reason why they can't arrange that with their insurance company, and they can turn up with a cover note so you know it's all their problem.

OK, that approach might put off a small number of private buyers - but that's what I'd expect if I was in their place.

Or you could avoid the problem all together and keep it!...

Good luck

[andre3k]

Not strictly to your question, but where is this all set to take place? (home/work?). I'd think long and hard if the plan is that they come to your house; these cars seem to attract crims. The last thing you wanna be doing is giving them an opportunity to scout your home/neighbourhood/security.

Test drives I think are customary and a useful tool to seal the deal (esp if you drive it, purposely exploring the limits/near as makes no difference). I'd say ensure their insurance docs as you've identified are all in order and if there's more than one of them (esp if 2 or more geezers) insist one waits behind for your own security. They should understand.

[HYFR]

i have sold a number of high performance cars privately and have not allowed buyers to test drive ...

even if they are insured, and they crash ... are they really going to want to go through their insurance ?

if they are a serious buyer then they will understand this

[rs4007]

Thanks for the advice!

Yes, I think without fully comp insurance on their part, I wouldn't expect to get a drive myself unless the seller had insurance to cover anyone fully comp on their permission, which is not the case with me certainly. I will take them for a drive if they wish.

Difficult again with where to ask them to come, it did cross my mind. I live in a flat so my car amongst other nice ones, are parked along the street in full view of any potential crims. I guess if these guys want to simply find out where one is, then they could take a drive around town. I assume we don't invalidate our insurance against theft by simply trying to sell our car!

As you say DALO, if someone is travelling to look at an RS4, then they are pretty sure they want one so hopefully taking them for a drive will satisfy most of their curiosities.

[neil1003]

As a buyer, I would expect firstly to be taken out for a decent length drive by the seller, on a variety of roads hopefully (as a buyer, i can then listen for any funny noises etc without having to concentrate on driving a new car for for the 1st time etc, I can get an appreciation for how the current owner drives it/treats it (did they rag it from cold?)). Then, ideally, return to base and I would drive the same roads, but I would ensure I had fully comp insurance to cover it (and yes, if I binned it, I would expect it to be my insurance that coughed up).

Every sale is different, and some sellers might not be comfortable with that, but (personally) I wouldn't buy a car without driving it.

[HYFR]

i've also bought a number of cars without driving them ...

[mac911rs4]

i even brought one without seeing it, first and last time i'll do that !!

[RS04YOB]

Always wondered about this myself

[sakimano]

Here in Canada if you lend your car to someone, they are driving under your insurance policy.

So if the test driver takes your car and writes the car off while running over 2 nuns and 5 orphans, it's on your policy.

[sumdy]

Also, never get caught out of the car with the keys in the ignition,whilst someone is checking everything works.

[TimDogg]

Also, never go for a test drive and let his 'mate' come along too - a sure sign that they're planning to jack you. I take a picture of the person with the car on my phone and then tell them that I'm sending their picture to my bro just in case any funny stuff happens. Last thing - if you get jacked then just hand the keys over and call the police, it's not worth it.

[RS6chris!]

i've also bought a number of cars without driving them ...

Me too...including a 40k RS6....

[RIV]

Maybe try putting a hammer in the glove box if your a passenger in the car this can be very affective

[Mr V10]

i've also bought a number of cars without driving them ...

Me too...including a 40k RS6....

Ditto, but I bought mine from a forum member so there was a trust element there. I more or less agreed to buy it without even looking at it as the description was quite fair and precise.