Adam_K

how the hell can u trust somebody to come over and take your car for a test drive?? even with u sitting in the passenger seat the worst could happen. after all, u know how powerful these cars are, and somebody not used to the power might make one slip up and then u have a major problem.

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

You dont, you drive the car with them in the passenger seat and a mate of yours in the car too, if more than one person wants to go in the car with you then dont go at all, but always be on the safe side and have 2 of you to one of them.
(also doubt that they will be covered on their own insurance to drive your car!)

Tony

Adam_K

anyone who has called we have warned that its a group 18 car and that unless they can realistically get insurance on it then don't even bother coming to waste our time.

tezza

This was my worry so did a sale and return via a dealer.
terry

johnfelstead

Dont let them drive it, really quite simple. No one is driving my car until the money is in the bank.

I would say dont meet them at your home either, until you have verified their address by seeing their driving license or similar, you also should get a land line telephone number and ring them back on it, dont accept a mobile.

you have to cover yourself these days.

Dont do this alone either, make sure you have a friend along.

Adam_K

just spoke to my dad and told him all that stuff and he is tempted to just sell back to the dealer and save the hassle.

pslewis

How many on here would buy without driving first??

Certainly I wouldnt buy without driving - if I cant I would be walking away

Its very difficult with cars like this - they may just be there to drive it for the thrill, you can 'generally' tell whos who though cant you??

Pete

johnfelstead

Most cars feel a bit strange the first time you drive them, as they differ from what you are used too. Driving it yourself doesnt always help.

I have never let anyone drive any of my cars before they bought it, i have never had a problem selling under those circumstances.

Adam_K

so far we have had a couple of phone calls, and all have been timewasters asking pointless questions that are answered in the autotrader advert.

Scotty Boy

would vouch for this - last week my cousin was selling his escort cossie - three young lads came to look at the car at his home - they did not want a drive, just wanted to 'inspect' the car.

i know it is only coincidence, but the next night a break in attempt to his garage was successful, the car alarm went off, floodlights lit up, a screwdriver was found on the floor !!

its a shame but just be warey mate
scott

scooby2000

just add 2p's worth a mate of mine was selling his scooby via autotrader and got a phone call at 2:00 am yes morning telling him that he would give 2 grand more than he was asking for it if he can come and look at it now that is 2 in the morning does that sound dodgy or what needless to say my mate told him where to go.

what with all this carjacking going on be very aware of dodgy phone calls and get some mates round when someone comes looking

Adam_K

i'm gonna record the exhaust note so i can listen to it when its gone

Luke

Good trick. When buying a car, let the owner drive first. Decide how he drives.... Saw one scoob for sale. Cold engine owner took off down the road "Yeh, love it he kept om saying"!!!!!!! No sale to me!! Remember they might have had the car for some time. See how they have driven it.

Demand to see insurance doc's first if they want test drive. You should know a waster if they come along.

johnfelstead

take a photograph of anyone who comes to see the car. If that doesnt scare off a potential sussing out the scene merchant, nothing will.

DeerHunter

even the dealer wouldnt let me drive my car until i came back with my insurance docs for the car i wanted so thats the answer...

polarbearit

Well I'd like to say I sold my scooby and was happy to let people have test drives. I certainly wouldn't buy a car without test driving it. Yes there is a risk tyre kickers, time wasters and even attempts at theft. But would you buy a second hand car without testing it? I've taken a 550bhp+ car for a test drive (including a great sideways moment!) and I certainly wouldn't have placed a deposit without driving it.

By all means take precautions, meet in a neutral place, bring a friend, Arrange insurance cover for test drives (or accept the risk and tell prospective drivers they need to be insured) etc. But if you want to sell privately don't expect buyers to be happy buying something they haven't tried. If you're worried about 'car jacking' etc then photograph the test drivers, this is likely to deter and at least you'll have evidence of who nicked your car!

Jon

Pooder

Just sold my MY98 turbo, I drove the car and he bought it no problem
Steve