Vehicle Insurance - Private Vehicle Sale - Test Driving Rules?

[TheSaltedCaramelPath]

Any knowledge please on the legalities of test driving a vehicle for private sale and how insurance is covered?

I’m selling my private vehicle, man is coming to test drive mine before likely purchase the same day.

I’ve no idea on the legalities with regard to insurance for him a to make a test drive in my vehicle on a local road?

(obviously me, as a lone female, will have 2 male friends with me for backup/ support and I’m aware of scams where one man tips something in the engine whilst “the buyer” has distracted me and engaged me in conversation) to say the vehicle is worthless…and I will accompany him on the drive.

Law abiding to a fault - I don’t want to come unstuck.

If he buys my vehicle, is any onus on me to check that he has his own insurance in place?

Can’t believe I have got to this old age and struggling dealing with stuff like this for the first time.

If he has drive other cars permission on his insurance then he can test drive your car covered by his own insurance, with your permission. Some but not all comprehensive cover policies include it as a clause.

If he doesn't have that, then he can take out a day insurance policy, again with your permission, or you can take him as a passenger while you drive the car.

I would absolutely get him to show you proof of cover before you let him drive your car. It seems likely that someone driving an unfamiliar car is more likely to make a mistake and have an accident, and if he's not covered then you are basically screwed.

Once he's bought the vehicle and you've signed a receipt to that effect then he is responsible for the insurance, you should notify your insurance company at that time, and you can update the registered keeper online straight away so you're no longer listed as the registered keeper of the vehicle on the dvla database.

If he has drive other cars permission on his insurance then he can test drive your car covered by his own insurance, with your permission. Some but not all comprehensive cover policies include it as a clause.

It's only third party cover though, ie makes him legal to drive if he hits someone but doesn't cover the car if he drives into a wall.

I would say he can't drive the car unless he can bring evidence to show he has full comprehensive cover for your car. Most people dont. In which case you could drive it with him as observer. Or you can add him to your insurance for a day for a (probably small) fee.

What he does about insurance after he buys the car is his problem, not yours.

And it is your responsibility too, and you can be criminally liable for letting someone uninsured drive your car. So do check.

What kind of car is it and what is the buyer like?

I think you need to use due diligence before you invite him to drive it. It is expensive? Can you ask to see his driving licence- it’s a bit tricky this one but this is the ideal. does he seem trustworthy?

Most insures policies allow you drive another car as long as it has an active policy on it. So for example if I needed to drive my mums car in an emergecny I could as I have insurance on my car and she has insurance on her car. But this is only third party.

We buy and sell cars quite often. If he wants it get him to leave £100 cash deposit and give him a hand written receipt.

This is a good point, yes, it makes it legal for him to drive your car, but may not actually cover your car in an accident, only the other party if there is one.

To add OP, I'd send one of your big friends on the test drive either with you or instead of you and not go alone yourself unless you are an expert in marial arts!

Thanks everyone, brilliant advice given, hugely helpful.

Thanks @godmum56 - Yes, a good thought, and I’m no expert in martial arts….
(though ex-military and 3 chaps recently have found me “intimidating” - apparently…. 😂)

Have you put it into motorway or we buy any car?

Might not get quite as much but removes the stress.