‘Mr.Shark’ coming to view my vehicle for sale. Advice?

[0500hours]

My husband died in April leaving some business debts. I have to sell his work truck.

’Mr Shark’ is driving from an hour away to view at half 3 today - does anyone have advice that’s done this before?

It’s parked outside my house. Like 99% of others who enquired he wants it for Ukraine he said.

Its taxed/MOT’d/insured/alarmed etc but how does he test drive it? Does he bring his driving licence and paperwork from his own insurer to prove he’s insured? He’s just come over from Ukraine he said and wants to drive it back there for the war. What if he damages it on driving?

Should I drive it instead with him as passenger?

I’m still waiting for the DVLA new owner papers to come back so it can’t be sold today anyway, he’s just viewing it.

He wants to leave a small deposit to secure it, but then how can I be sure he’d pay the balance?

Any advice welcome. There’s nobody I can call today to help me when he views.

Thankyou so much
posted on chat for traffic

OP this sounds dodgy

Cancel. He will scam you in some way.

Sell it to a dealer and be done with it. Don't try and sell it yourself, you're not in a position to do so safely.

Cancel, OP.

OP, please cancel. I'm concerned about your safety and so are other posters. Sell the truck to a dealer, even if it means a loss.

I agree with the others, cancel the viewing.

Then contact dealers, car auction houses or webuyanycar.com type businesses. Far better to take a lower price that is guaranteed and safer.

I was in the motor trade for years, cancel this appointment ASAP. Find a local dealer and ask them to sell it for you, ask around friends and family for a dealer they've dealt with, explain the situation and a good dealer will look after you.

I advertised on Facebook Marketplace and almost everyone that enquired wants it for Ukraine.

my young teenage son said because I’m older (well, 56), a woman, a new widow, that buyers will think I’m vulnerable, but I can’t actually sell it today as I only sent off to change ow worship from my husband to me about 2 weeks ago, I don’t have the new paperwork back yet to actually sell it.

this person just wants to look at engine, chassis etc hear it running, see paperwork and so on

I don’t know anything about vehicle sales never done this before

it’s the test drive bit that worries me most

Thankyou I’m really grateful for any help

Ok Thankyou I’ve just whatsapped him to cancel but he already has the address and says he’s 20 mins away

Have you got quotes from other options like “webuyanycar” or similar? Do you know the price you want?

Can you have someone there with you? Do they know your address? It might be safer to meet at say a supermarket car park - just in case it’s a set up to rob your house while out on a test drive!

I wouldn’t let someone I don’t know test drive my vehicle. If they are just viewing then I’d do the driving - they can look under the hood when you stop.

in terms of payment - I’d want a bank transfer or physical cash. Don’t take PayPal or crypto or any other where it can be clawed back.

Tell him it's sold. Don't let him look at it.

You are in a vulnerable position and certain chancers will take advantage of that whilst you can't think clearly.

Don’t answer the door. Reply and tell him it’s sold. Then take it to a dealership.

THIS IS A SCAM

HE IS GOING TO STEAL THE VAN OR YOUR MONEY

Sorry not sorry for shouting.

It’ll be something like he will pay you too much and ask you to return some, and then the whole amount will bounce leaving you out of pocket.

Or he’ll simply drive off with the van.

Or any one of a number of other scams.

But this (and all the other FB marketplace ‘buyers) are just scams.

I don’t know how good your police force is but I would be calling for advice/back up now.

Please please tell him the situation has changed, say its not possible to sell it, make any excuse. He is going to try to scam you. 20 years of experience is screaming scam at me.

They don't want it "for Ukraine" - this is so obviously a scam.

Tell him it's been sold and not to turn up at your house. Then don't answer the door. Take the ad down immediately and just sell it to a proper dealer who has premises.

We’ve always sold our cars to companies rather than private buyers because we don’t know anything about cars.

The last time we had to send photos and then they made an offer. A man came. Checked it over on the drive, no test drive. Did. Bank transfer then left.

How would these people know you're recently widowed aka alone in the house? There is no need at all to share this info. If they ask your husband / partner will be home later.

As a minimum - Thai guy cannot test drive it today. End of.
He shouldn't go into your house. He can check papers on the drive.
Will your son be home?

You need a male friend who's willing to go with him for that to happen. They could still get forced out of the car & left on the roadside but the risk to them is much lower.

I know you want the best price for the van OP, money may be a concern but a legit dealer will only cost you 1k or so, and is so much safer in several ways.

Oh OP, can your son come to you now? Facebook is full of scammers. He will sell you an Ukraine sob story and pressure you to accept far less than it’s worth. Tell him it’s sold and your son is on his way and then go to a reputable dealer or company to get it sold. Stay away from FB Marketplace.

Please cancel and sell it to we buy any car, you will be scammed if it's from FB marketplace

I’m so sorry for your loss OP.

I agree with the others, this is a scam and you should not answer your door. Call the police if they do not leave or cause any trouble at all.

Sell to a dealer, not private x

Of course it’s a scam!

Only sell to someone local.

Tell him it’s now sold and if he turns up to harass you then you’ll call the police.

So what? He's supposed to be there for 3.30. Someone who comes early and wants to pressurise you to see them early is a wrong un. Tell him no can do and you've changed your mind. If you can drive the truck, move it somewhere else.

Do not let him drive it, you wont see it again, and even if you are sitting next to him what's your plan if he pulls out a knife or something (god forbid)

Text him to say it's been sold and then block him, dont open the door

Also this “hear it running”. He will have somebody with him to jump in and drive it off. I’m really wondering if the police would be a better option now. Don’t answer the door whatever you do!