That old test driving without insurance problem...

The_Rossatron · Post by **The_Rossatron** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 4:19 pm

I appreciate where you are coming from with regard to the insurance however
without an open insurance policy nobody is going to have more cover than 3rd
Party.

Unfortunately I am not going to purchase a car that I haven't driven (even if it
is only for a short period in a quiet area) so looks like we have a problem.

Any thoughts?

Post by **simon** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 4:23 pm

If they're serious, they'd have cover or would arrange at your request.
When I bought my mini last year, I was only covered 3rd party and they were ok with that and came along with me on the test drive but I did leave the Elise sitting on their driveway!

mac · Post by **mac** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 4:29 pm

dayinsure.co.uk

Mac

The_Rossatron · Post by **The_Rossatron** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 4:30 pm

I'll probably just let him take it around a quiet area with me in the passenger seat.

Just don't want some inexperienced dude speeding around a roundabout in the damp/ice then nailing then getting a shock by the non-servod brakes as we go sideways into a truck

Ta for the lead, Mac - never heard of them?

though they're site says this:

FORBIDDEN
You tried to access a document for which you don't have privileges.

Dominic · Post by **Dominic** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 4:33 pm

When I sold my Liz, the buyers did not have any insurance, but were happy to pax with me driving (not nearly as quick as usual but quick enough to show the car's performance & handling). Then let them have a quiet we drive in an industrial area. Did the trick

mac · Post by **mac** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 5:18 pm

Opps - it's a .com

sorry

Mac

r055 · Post by **r055** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 5:20 pm

As Dom says, show them the car by driving it yourself with them in PAX, then guage by speaking to them, how much you trust them to give them a shot...

TBH, Id be with the buyer on this one - i.e. not buying a car if not driven it. however, that doesnt solve the insurance issue - can you not ask him to bring his current insurance cert so that he will be driving 3rd party at least (within the costraints of the law)

If he's coming a fair distance and making an effort to get to you then this means he is serious about buying it. If its a local thing, then potentially just a test pilot wanting a shot of your nice car with no intention of buying.

R

Michael · Post by **Michael** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 5:42 pm

I would advise not to let them drive it at all. Firstly as an anti car jacking measure, and secondly the whole potential accident thing. Never mind about insurance ....what about the hassle of getting it fixed...hmm...and i bet he wont buy it after crashing it.

I just sold mine to a very nice fellow (he's a doctor) from england. Got the train all the way up and knew he couldnt drive it. The only thing he had to trust me on was the clutch.

Everything else can be checked from a visual inspection and how it feels on the road as a pax.

So in a word, dont do it.

Also ask him to bring his passport and driving licence and leave them at home with someone - inform him of this before he comes - this will discourage the car jacking.

And good luck Ross!! Its a gorgeous car and for the right price you will definitely get a buyer!!

The_Rossatron · Post by **The_Rossatron** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 6:43 pm

He;s coming down from north of Dundee so probably not a time waster (fingers crossed)

Mike - yeah Colin was looking at mine then mailed me to say he was going to buy yours!

Cheers for the encouraging words though - oh and thanks for the whole emergency dental advice thing for the lady.

Do you think if I ask him to bring all of these things he may get put off and think I am a little paranoid?

renmure · Post by **renmure** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 6:58 pm

I let a guy test drive a Fiat X1/9 I was selling and he smacked it into the kerb going too fast in a corner. Could have been worse I guess but he didnt buy it.

Selling the Esprit and Megablade recently I made clear to the buyers that I would be driving unless they arranged their own insurance or paid for temp cover on mine. Didnt seem to put anyone off.

Jim

Stewart · Post by **Stewart** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 8:24 pm

It is a tough one, but I wouldn't be too keen on buying a car I hadn't driven -you could be a chancer

When I sold my elise to Lee, he had a test drive and had it bouncing off the limiter

. Must admit that he had already agreed to buy it and I did know him so perhaps a wee bit different.
If I were looking to sell to someone unknown, I would do what Dom suggests.
Good luck.
Stewart
P.S.
I have just remembered that when I bought the elise (the first time) the seller quickly made me aware that he was some kind of martial arts expert by showing me various pics, certificates & swords

. He then told me that he "knew people"! Turned out he was a top bloke and a real petrol head who worked offshore and changed his sportscars 3-4 times a year.

Michael · Post by **Michael** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 8:44 pm

Ross, People who are genuine and have a bit of savvy would understand your requesting these documents. In the initial stages of the sale you are the vulnerable one.

Dont let him even sit in the chair when the engine is running, nor leave the chair unattended when the engine is running.

Nothing like this has ever happened to me, but just imagine it did you would be kicking yourself so hard at allowing the circumstance where he could take control of the situation.

The car is gonna sell itself and you dont need to go to excessive efforts. Refuse any request that you feel uneasy about. Youre not being unfair.

I think i was lucky i had such a professional viewing and buying my car to be honest and he was a pleasure to deal with - each of us sensitive to the other's position and needs.

A serious buyer would already have test driven one at a stealer and know how it should feel on the road, even as a passenger.

Go with your gut.

rossybee · Post by **rossybee** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 8:28 am

I wouldn't let him drive without cover.

End of story.

Reminds of the time I was test driving a TVR Griffith 500 near Doncaster (private sale) - the owner took me for a spin, pulled into a rural lay-by and then let me sit in the driver's seat whilst the engine was still running - he then walked round the back of the car & jumped in the pax seat.

I took great pleasure in telling him that I could've been off with his P&J which kinda spoooked him

Malky007 · Post by **Malky007** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 8:45 am

As mac says I'd use dayinsure
They'll cover any car @ £20/day, covered wife's boss when he got a two day test from MMC!
point him in their direction, if it secures the sale Iâ€™d pay it myself for piece of mind if nothing else

The_Rossatron · Post by **The_Rossatron** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 11:04 am

That dayinsure sounds like a good idea - though the guy just told me today that he won't be coming down to view the car after all tomorrow as he is looking at an alternative