Sell your car safely - get the test drive right

Sell your car safely - get the test drive right

Strangers coming to look at your car... you don't know them from Adam... and you're going to trust them with the keys to your prized possession and let them drive off with-out paying you a penny.

I don't think so... Are they insured?... Have they got a valid driving licence?

Your own insurance policy might cover them as unnamed drivers, or your visiting buyer might be covered to drive other cars on their own policy, but how would you know without checking? Don't take their word for it, ask to see their driving licence, it will also confirm who they are, their name and address... take a note of it - they're no longer a complete stranger.

Now you must insist on sitting in the passenger seat before you hand over the keys to your car. It's a known fact that many cars have been stolen when an opportunist fake buyer has just driven off with the owner left standing gob-smacked in the dust behind the car. But this doesn't have to be you... and hopefully now it never will.

Politely point out to the driver that they're liable for any speeding fines or driving offences even though the car's not theirs.

When your buyer has finished their test drive, ask for the keys back before you get out of the car, whilst asking them what they thought of your car.

This gives you some feedback without overtly offending your visitor.

To find out more about selling your car click here.