Buyer test driving a car I'm selling...

[secondchance]

Hi

Just a quick one regarding legality surrounding test drives.

I'm selling my car, which has already been replaced by another one, and as such it is SORN and uninsured.

I've got a fella coming down tomorrow to buy it (apparently), but he has mentioned test driving it.

If he has insurance, would he be covered to drive it even though it is an uninsured vehicle?

Obviously it is untaxed, but if he were to tax it on the spot, that issue will be covered.

I just don't want someone I don't know driving the car illegally and I need to contact them before tomorrow incase it affects their decision to travel down and see it.

Cheers

Alex

[gazzab1978]

if they have a traders insurance then they will be covered but driving other cars on a fully comp policy only covers driving vehicles that are insured on its own policy aswell as the drivers fully comp policy.

[secondchance]

Great, I thought so but thanks for clearing that up!

I've text the prospective buyer that unless insured and taxed, it's not going on the road, hopefully they'll see my point.

Almost feel like a jobbo, but at the end of the day it's my record it'll go on as the reg'd keeper, my license that'll get the 6 points and my car that'll get seized.

Wish me luck!

Alex

[jaykay]

Ive always gone for full money up front for test drives, for the point they have essentially bought it. Then anything that happens is there problem. Ive applied the same rule when buying, i give full cash before driving/riding.
If you asked for there full details i couldnt see it as a problem....

[secondchance]

That's something I'd consider had it been insured....

But even if I get paid upfront, if the uninsured car is stopped or caught on ANPR while I'm still the owner, then I'll be liable for prosecution for allowing my uninsured vehicle to be driven on the road. As far as I know that's still a 6 point offence. I may be wrong about the consequence, I'm sure it is an offence.

I'm not prepared to get myself in trouble for a prospective!!

Either way the buyer is still happy to come view, and test the clutch bite etc on the driveway. Fingers crossed he'll be happy and by this time tomorrow my car will be on its way to a new home!!

Thanks

Alex

[ChasR]

I agree it is madness to allow a buyer to test drive a car without adequate cover but I can see why buyers wish to test drive a car. As for the full cash in hand scenario, what is there to say that the seller 'loses' it or hands back fake cash? It works both ways IMO.

The car could be a nail despite the seller's word. It's happened to me even with mates driving the car, albeit with them driving in a manner to hide the faults but I guess this is obvious.

However, sometimes the car can be as good as it looks.

AlistairK spoke sense in a thread agaes ago; Remember that to get top price bullying and calling people timewasters and test pilots will get you nowhere ; you are in the same business as the dealers and traders ultimately! That is not to say that being a doormat is the way forward either. For me up to this point (and further touchwood!) it has been a philosophy that has worked.

[secondchance]

Yeah, I agree a test drive first would probably be everyone's first choice, including mine.

However, I have been selling that car since it was my daily. Had I had someone coming a few weeks ago I would not have had an issue letting them drive it, as long as they've proof of insurance as I'm fully comp.

I had to change the insurance over to my new car, I simply could not afford to keep them running concurrently.

I didn't drive my new car before handing over the money, I didn't drive the Bora when I first bought it. Naive, stupid, too trusting maybe. But those cars were both uninsured when they were up for sale, and even then I was sure that LEGALLY I couldn't test drive them. I accepted that, and as a buyer took the risk (both times the cars were fine!). But now, as a seller with the car already belonging to me, being asked for a test drive that I don't think is legal has required me seeking clarification. Ending up with points on my driving license, being prosecuted, and having the car seized are not things I am willing to risk. My question was purely around the legality of test drives in uninsured cars, to which I now think I have my answer!

But now it's been brought up, I can assure you there is no issue whatsoever with the road worthiness of my car. I'd drive it the length of the country tomorrow if I needed to, providing I had insurance! ?

I've spoken to the buyer, he's happy with our arrangement, and I suspect, already knew the law... Just cheeky maybe?

Thanks for the answers, people

Alex

[mikeymk]

Aug 27, 2015 19:36:11 GMT secondchance said:

Great, I thought so but thanks for clearing that up!

I've text the prospective buyer that unless insured and taxed, it's not going on the road, hopefully they'll see my point.

Almost feel like a jobbo, but at the end of the day it's my record it'll go on as the reg'd keeper, my license that'll get the 6 points and my car that'll get seized.

Wish me luck!

Alex

Your licence wouldn't get touched if you're not the one driving. However, if it turns out they don't have cover, it is your car that'll get seized - the way around this is to take the whole price as a deposit and let them knock themselves out. If they lose the car, you've got your price..

[baggabones]

Also be aware that most comprehensive insurance policies only cover you for 3rd party when driving someone elses car IE will only pay out for damage to the other driver's car.

[adamwatson]

Aug 28, 2015 2:38:10 GMT mikeymk said:

Aug 27, 2015 19:36:11 GMT secondchance said:

Great, I thought so but thanks for clearing that up!

I've text the prospective buyer that unless insured and taxed, it's not going on the road, hopefully they'll see my point.

Almost feel like a jobbo, but at the end of the day it's my record it'll go on as the reg'd keeper, my license that'll get the 6 points and my car that'll get seized.

Wish me luck!

Alex

Your licence wouldn't get touched if you're not the one driving. However, if it turns out they don't have cover, it is your car that'll get seized - the way around this is to take the whole price as a deposit and let them knock themselves out. If they lose the car, you've got your price..

Not true. If you allow someone to drive your car with no insurance its 6-8 points and up to £5k fine.


Sent from my GT-I9505 using proboards

[sarkie83]

I went to go see a 306 estate one that I was interested in bidding on once. When I turned up at the guys house and he chucked me the keys and told him to give him a knock when I was done. He said it wasn't insured and pointed roughly in a direction to test it out and added that if I did get stopped I was very unlucky/shouldn't consider a life of crime!
Usually if I'm selling one that is not insured it's because it's for spares/repair so they don't normally ask for a test drive...

[secondchance]

My driving license is too valuable for me to risk!

The buyer said that my honest demeanor with him and around the car was enough for him to trust me that it drove as well as I claimed, which was nice to hear!

Maybe I should consider a career as a trader? Lol.

But the car is sold, and I'm quite sad about it really. Never really considered that car as any more than a daily driver, but after nearly 3 years it was strange how I felt seeing it driven off by a stranger. I'm almost sitting here regretting letting it go at all.... Funny how cars get under your skin like that....

But can't dwell on what's passed really. I just hope the new owner takes care of it!

Alex

[theheap]

Had this issue a week ago. Just let they guy drive it and will
Always let them. It's a chance but what else can a seller do.

[Deleted]

Aug 30, 2015 15:59:40 GMT theheap said:

Had this issue a week ago. Just let they guy drive it and will
Always let them. It's a chance but what else can a seller do.

And risk the car getting impounded so YOU have to pay £150 to get the car back, that's of course after you have reinsured it, you can also get points and a fine yourself for allowing someone to drive your car without insurance and what if they are involved in an incident you could be left with a written off uninsured car?

[theheap]

I know that. But selling a car for £400 then spending on insurance so I can sell it is madness. I'm just saying I take the risk.

[ChasR]

Aug 29, 2015 9:19:00 GMT secondchance said:

My driving license is too valuable for me to risk!

The buyer said that my honest demeanor with him and around the car was enough for him to trust me that it drove as well as I claimed, which was nice to hear!

Maybe I should consider a career as a trader? Lol.

But the car is sold, and I'm quite sad about it really. Never really considered that car as any more than a daily driver, but after nearly 3 years it was strange how I felt seeing it driven off by a stranger. I'm almost sitting here regretting letting it go at all.... Funny how cars get under your skin like that....

But can't dwell on what's passed really. I just hope the new owner takes care of it!

Alex

That is fair enough . It is great to see some genuine sellers out there and it is quite refreshing.

The reason why I have recently become quite arsy is after buying a 2006 Passat TDi off a mate a couple of years ago without driving it. Despite it having 10 months MOT I have never driven a car as dangerous or had a car that has shocked passengers quite as much at low speeds. To this day I am shocked how he drove the car in that state for such a period of time. The car basically had a very nasty twitch from the rear that literally threw the car from side to side violently. The cause? Knackered track control arms beyond belief on the rear ; the sleeve fell out. My 106 GTi was nowhere near that bad even on a questionable beam.

As for the feeling of getting rid of a car you really like, I do agree . However, there is always something new to try, and God it is not like there is a lack of choice either .