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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Not to allow a test drive?

20 replies

Love2cook · 15/01/2018 15:47

I'm selling my car this week and am worried about people coming to view it wanting to test drive. I would feel nervous to just get in my car with a couple of random men (worst case scenario as I'm aware it could be any combination of people!) and wouldn't feel safe letting someone just drive off in my car. OH works long hours and often isn't home until 7:30 or later so it will be just me as I figure they will want to see it in daylight. My family live an hour away and we have recently moved. WIBU to say viewing only? Is this normal? I'm starting to think it might be easier to just to part ex or wbac but know I can get about £2k more private. How have others got around this or have you just let them test drive while your in the car? I'm reluctant to say weekend only as I need it gone by the beginning of next week and it would be cutting it fine.

OP posts:

19lottie82 · 15/01/2018 15:49

No one is going to buy a car without test driving it!

Just make sure they bring along paperwork to show they are insured.

apostropheuse · 15/01/2018 15:49

Well obviously the buyer would need to test drive before buying, particularly with a private sale so YABU

treaclesoda · 15/01/2018 15:49

I understand your concerns but no private buyer is going to want to buy without a test drive, and why should they? A dealer might buy it without one, but they'll offer far less money.

If you feel uncomfortable (and I understand why you do) then you need to arrange for them to come and see the car at a time when your partner is available.

Snowysky20009 · 15/01/2018 15:51

I'd never buy I car I couldn't test drive. I'd want to a) know I like the car to drive and b) know there's nothing wrong. Not allowing looks like you are hiding something.

ShatnersBassoon · 15/01/2018 15:53

Part exchange if you can't allow a test drive. There's no way around a test drive if you want to sell privately, so you can't.

Original poster

Love2cook · 15/01/2018 15:53

Thanks all, I've never bought or sold a car privately so wasn't sure. How could they be insured to drive my car? If they crashed it wouldn't they only be 3rd party on their own insurance so I'd be left out of pocket?

OP posts:

KingLooieCatz · 15/01/2018 15:54

Unfortunately, you will have to tell people before they come to view, or they'll be pretty raging, and once you tell them you tell them they can't test drive it, they'll assume the car is an utter pig and you'll never hear from them again. Best case scenario, someone will buy but want to knock a lot off the price.

Trinity66 · 15/01/2018 15:55

Only an idiot would buy a car they haven't test drove :/

chocolateiamydrug · 15/01/2018 15:57

how do you intend to sell your car if you won't let anyone test-drive? It doesn't really work like that.

EggsonHeads · 15/01/2018 15:59

Please don't forget that they may not be insured to drive a car other than their own in which case not only will allowing them to drive your car be illegal, it will also mean that if they were to crash you would have a hard time getting money from them to fix the damage. If you do decide to go ahead with the test drive, make to ask for insurance details.

AJPTaylor · 15/01/2018 16:02

Ring your insurers and ask for it to be insured for any driver for a week.

Original poster

Love2cook · 15/01/2018 16:21

Thanks AJP I didn't know that was possible. I'll ring them.

OP posts:

thethoughtfox · 15/01/2018 16:33

Get some one to go on the test drive with them

mailTo · 15/01/2018 16:38

Ask for proof of insurance before allowing a test drive. Surely no idiot would part with cash without driving a car.

I'm intrigued as to why a couple of men is the worst case scenario. Schrodinger's rapist? Women are far more likely to reverse into your gateposts if you were worried about damage. A quick video on your phone of the test driver and the car showing no damage is unlikely to offend.

Itsalwayswineoclocksomewhere · 15/01/2018 16:40

It depends how you're selling it. If it's via eBay then the car is sold as seen, and they don't get to test drive it.

I've sold 4 cars on eBay and never had anyone test drive them. I also bought a van I couldn't test drive due to not being insured on it, I just sat in the van while the owner drove it. Worked for me, the van was a great buy.

specialsubject · 15/01/2018 16:48

Get any driver insurance and ask to see I d. Go with them on the test drive.

A crazed attacker is unlikely to show I d.

Look up on gov.UK or similar about protecting yourself, and also what buyers need to do. Accept cash only.

specialsubject · 15/01/2018 16:49

And eBay sales DO expect a test drive. I've bought two cars this way. all private sales are sold as seen.

19lottie82 · 15/01/2018 16:52

And eBay sales DO expect a test drive

It depends what type of listing. If it’s a “classified” ad then yes.

If they win an auction or click buy it now then they aren’t entitled to one and should have test driven before then committed to buy. They have entered a contract to buy the car, not to view / test drive it.

specialsubject · 15/01/2018 16:54

OK - I would never buy a car off an eBay auction for that reason, and I've never seen any like that. I'd assume dodgy if I did.

19lottie82 · 15/01/2018 21:37

special it’s the sensible thing to ask for a test drive / inspection before you bid, but as I explained when you bid you’re entering a contract to buy the car, not to go see it then decide! There’s nothing dodgy about it!

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