About to put my Golf up for sale and I'm just wondering what the standard etiquette is these day in terms of the purchaser taking a test drive. I've sold a few cars before and thought nothing of them taking my car around the block with me on the passenger seat. Its occurred to me that they are doing so most likely on a third party basis so I'm screwed if there's a bump.
The question im asking is therefore, do people seriously let strangers drive their cars?!
If I trust the person then I let them drive (unless they're happy for me to). If I don't trust them or don't think they're serious about buying then I definitely drive.
IMO the driving bit should be the last thing you let them do. Best to qualify their interest first.
I'd do the driving myself and then ask them if there is any manoeuvre or performance test that they would like me to carry out...
If they crash it, you're screwed!
I think trust is a bit too difficult to determine. Would rather know for certain they were insured! After all if they're not, we both break the law.
I think I'd only be happy with someone being a passenger unless they could prove insurance
Personally, I'll take anyone for a drive, if I'm driving.
If they want to drive, they pay FIRST. If there's something wrong, I'll give them the money back but otherwise, sorry, not a chance.
If they aren't insured you're buggered if they get caught. If you've sold it, it's their fault. I wouldn't expect to be given a test drive, although I have, oddly, been offered test rides on 2 scooters I've bought!
I recently sold an MX5, i learned from the first test pilot they leave the full asking price in cash at your house with your biggest mate and you go with them on a route you've chosen. If they wish to go elsewhere they stump up the fuel costs. The guy who took me out for a spin in my car decided to see if he could top 80 on a narrow lane, were 50 was pushing it. I told him to pull over and I drove back.
It may be of intrest to actually check if they have a driving licence, and 3rd party insurance to drive the car
I sold a car the other day; I just chucked him the keys and said crack on...
Mind you, it was a £400 saxo and he did leave his 61 plate Audi A4 convertible parked on my drive... I was pretty sure he was coming back!
(and he assured me he was covered third party, officer)
Project-third party insurance is not going to protect me!
If they aren't insured you're buggered if they get caught.
Hang on.
It's been a while since I've bought private car insurance and I know things have changed recently, but are you sure of that? I thought a vehicle not SORNed now has to have [i]some [/i]insurance on it, but I wasn't aware of any implied liability on the keeper for uninsured drivers. Is that how it works now?
Modern world. I'm driving
Tell them to bring proof of insurance, I suggest they go on one of the instant day insurance websites. £30 or so gets you instant cover with a covernote you print out yourself.
Done it three times in the last few years to cover myself when test driving vehicles.
If they aren't insured you're buggered if they get caught.Hang on.
It's been a while since I've bought private car insurance and I know things have changed recently, but are you sure of that? I thought a vehicle not SORNed now has to have some insurance on it, but I wasn't aware of any implied liability on the keeper for uninsured drivers. Is that how it works now?
I think the issue is that if someone is caught uninsured the police will seize the car. It costs to recover the car. I THINK that if the driver holds Fully comp insurance and the car they are testing is also insured the driver is covered 3rd party only under the road traffic act. If there is no insurance on the car being tested you can't ruck up and drive it on your own cars insurance.
I would offer to take them on a test run but wouldn't hand over the keys..!
mbr30 - Member
Project-third party insurance is not going to protect me!
But it will protect other road users and members of the public the driver may hit, or vehicles he damages. 🙂
I think the issue is that if someone is caught uninsured the police will seize the car.
They'll seize a car belonging to someone else when the insured owner is present? Really? 😯
I THINK that if the driver holds Fully comp insurance and the car they are testing is also insured the driver is covered 3rd party only under the road traffic act.
Again, I don't know if it's changed these days, but the last time I had fully comp insurance the "third party insurance on other cars you don't own" bonus was a clause in the majority - but not all - comprehensive insurance policies, nothing to do with the RTA AFAIK. I've had a policy where that's specifically been excluded.
[i] I THINK that if the driver holds Fully comp insurance and the car they are testing is also insured the driver is covered 3rd party only under the road traffic act[/i]
My fully comp insurance specifically states that I am not covered in other vehicles on a 3rd party basis. My wife's insurance does, but her previous insurance excluded it. So don't assume anything, always check 🙂
Spooky is correct
Every policy is different. Just be use you're full comp doesn't mean you're automatically covered third party on another car.
Now a topic of real debate is a traders policy and how much that is abused
I'm fully comp,the car was getting it's MOT last week and I called up Adrian Flux to ask if I'm covered 3rd party on vehicles that other owners have given me to go ahead to drive.They said yes.