Selling my car - question about letting buyer test drive?

Question

I have someone coming to view my car tomorrow evening.

At the time they come my children will be in bed meaning I can't accompany them on a test drive; how do I make sure they don't just drive off in it?

Also, the insurance is for named drivers only so should I be letting them test drive it at all? I wouldn't buy a car without test driving it so I think I should let them, but at the same time if they crash it whilst not covered by the insurance then it will leave me stuck!

One more question - I know they will need to see the log book; will they need any other paperwork?

Answer 1

Firstly, they should have their own insurance that should cover them for driving other cars with the owner's permission - make sure they bring their current insurance - otherwise - don't let them drive and re-arrange for a time when YOU can drive THEM!

If they do have insurance and they bring it with them - make sure that you keep this, keep the keys to the car they turn up in, and I would make sure they bring their driving licence with them too and ask to hold onto that also!

As others have said MOT - if the car is that old - service book and the log book which you fill in if they decide to buy the car.

Answer 2

I certainly wouldn't buy a car without first test driving it. But the last time I bought a car, the owner let me go on the test drive without him.... good thing I'm trustworthy. :)

Don't you have family, friend or neighbor who could possibly help for a few minutes?

If you have comp & collision coverage then you could take the chance and let them test drive alone. Most insurance also covers drivers that have permission to drive. Make sure you jot down the license plate number of the car they drove there in just in case they take off with it.

Or you can just sell it to Pepboys or Carmax without the worries. But you won't get as much.

Answer 3

i suggest u dnt let them test drive it on there own if u cnt get any to sit ur children or go wiv them ask 4 a deposit or something ,the only way they will insured to drive your vehicle is if there over the age ov 25 an have fully comprehensive insurance on another car, and as for paper worlk the log book an any other paperwork u have on the car ie: service history  

Answer 4

hi ginge...have a friend there if possable...only allow them to drive if there correctly insure,if u cant acumpany them they must let u hold the money till they return[dont fall for the ''you hold my car keys ''..theycould bugger off and still have another set of keys...if sold give them mot /docs etc..they sign the new keeper bit,you give them the little green bit and you send away the full log book...dont give them the full book as you could be fined for speeding fines etc...hope this helps.

Answer 5

Hold onto the paperwork and their car keys of the vehicle they arrive in, insurance is their problem.

Personally I'd make a more suitable viewing when they can be accompanied.

Answer 6

MOT document and service history if you have it.

To be honest, I would arrange for someone to look after your kids if you are unsure but if they drive to you with a friend or some one who has a car, ask them for there car keys while they take your car for a drive and just keep an eye out.

Should be fine. I did the same when I bought my car. Went with my dad who has an Audi and the guy just gave us the keys and took my dads car keys. It was fine.

Answer 7

i would tell them they cant test it tomorrow and if they are interested to arrange a test drive when you can go with them.. they dont need to see any documents at all.. if they buy it you send your part of the log book to dvla and give them the other part..

Answer 8

You need to get a baby sitter.  They will drive your car much more sensibly if you are in it, better still ask a male friend to sit in with them for 5 minutes(take no chances !). Make sure and see a copy of their insurance, if they dont have any they wont be insured to drive your car, not even 3rd party cover.  As well as your log book any service history or receipts will help you get nearer to your asking price.

Good Luck

Answer 9

with my car insurance i am covered to drive any car with owners permission.  contact the person coming to test drive if they have cover to this degree and ask them to provide their cover note on arrival to confirm this.

if you really cant re-arrange or get a sitter then ask for their car keys on their car as collateral (although chances are the value of your car will be higher than theirs if they are buying from you, unless the car is a purchase for another family member of theirs for eg.)

Answer 10

dont let them test drive for the reasons you give

re arrange the time so that you can take the car out for a drive with the potential buyer in the passenger side

mot certificate if applicable

Answer 11

If you have comprehensive, and it's for sale, then having it stolen would be no problem.  Crashing is another matter.  You should ask your insurance agent, NOT US, about that.  Get a real answer, talk to your insurance agent.

Answer 12

If they are a respectable driver they would arrange their own insurance to test drive the car. If they don't then you should drive to be on the safe side.

As for the test drive, you should definitely go with them, you wouldn't lend them your handbag so if it's not convenient tomorrow with the kids then arrange it for another night.

The buyer will probably want to see all paperwork you have for the car e.g. MOT certificates, old tax discs and all receipts for works done to the car, also the vehicle log book.

If you do sell the car, complete the left hand page of the log book (V5), get them to sign, you must keep this part and post it, the rest is for them.