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Community Forums => The Lounge => Topic started by: Dry em on August 23, 2012, 11:10:33 AM



Title: Selling a car privately
Post by: Dry em on August 23, 2012, 11:10:33 AM
Thinking of giving this a go - anyone got any advice, do's/don't, horror stories, things to watch out for etc

Doing some google homework but wondered if anyone here has any experience. Is it worth the extra hassle?


Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: Simon Galloway on August 23, 2012, 11:14:35 AM
If the car is worth a fair amount, don't let anyone drive it unless they can show you paperwork to prove they are insured fully comp.  And obv with you in the car too!  As to whether it is worth it, it is usually less hassle to find a trade buyer that will give you a couple hundred better than your P/X offer than it is to have loads of calls from time wasters etc.  However, on occasion where trade price is just nowhere near the mark, it's worth taking a shot at selling privately.


Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: tonytats on August 23, 2012, 11:23:12 AM
So much can go wrong
Never give em the keys
When on a test run don't get out to check strange noises
Wait till money's cleared


Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: bobAlike on August 23, 2012, 11:35:49 AM
If you use Autotrader you can expect loads of crap offers and time wasters and calls from other agencies asking you to advertise it with them. I personally wouldn't use them but it depends on the car you're selling, how much it's worth and what you expect to sell it for.


Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: maldini32 on August 23, 2012, 11:42:08 AM
I've sold twice privately, just be firm with the price. Dont let them haggle you down too much. Like Bob said you get a lot of timewasters but when they do turn up make sure your with them for test drive.


Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: Dry em on August 23, 2012, 02:44:42 PM
The car is a BMW 1 series. Wewantanycar quote £7,450 and browsing auto trader comparables are listed for between £8,300 and £9,400

Even if someone is fully comp, doesn't that just mean when driving any other car but your own, in the event of an accident with a 3rd party the insurance company will only pay to fix the 3rd party car. It's not the same as the level of cover you get for your own car when fully comp I didn't think


Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: scotty77 on August 23, 2012, 02:51:45 PM
The car is a BMW 1 series. Wewantanycar quote £7,450 and browsing auto trader comparables are listed for between £8,300 and £9,400

Even if someone is fully comp, doesn't that just mean when driving any other car but your own, in the event of an accident with a 3rd party the insurance company will only pay to fix the 3rd party car. It's not the same as the level of cover you get for your own car when fully comp I didn't think

They are the biggest load of crooks around.  They offer you that price then do some ridic check and will offer you at least a grand less. 

eBay is a good place to list cars too.


Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: RED-DOG on August 23, 2012, 03:09:35 PM
My best tip, whether buying or selling, is to take picture of the person you're dealing with. It doesnt have to be anything fancy, just a snap with your phone camera will be fine.

Let him see you do it.

People are really reluctant to do anything wrong, (fraud /theft etc) after that.

I once went to buy a van. I took the blokes picture and he made an excuse about it suddenly being no longer for sale, then he got in it and drove away.


Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: kinboshi on August 23, 2012, 03:42:28 PM
My best tip, whether buying or selling, is to take picture of the person you're dealing with. It doesnt have to be anything fancy, just a snap with your phone camera will be fine.

Let him see you do it.

People are really reluctant to do anything wrong, (fraud /theft etc) after that.

I once went to buy a van. I took the blokes picture and he made an excuse about it suddenly being no longer for sale, then he got in it and drove away.

Was it tikay being camera shy as usual?


Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: Simon Galloway on August 23, 2012, 03:43:02 PM
The car is a BMW 1 series. Wewantanycar quote £7,450 and browsing auto trader comparables are listed for between £8,300 and £9,400

Even if someone is fully comp, doesn't that just mean when driving any other car but your own, in the event of an accident with a 3rd party the insurance company will only pay to fix the 3rd party car. It's not the same as the level of cover you get for your own car when fully comp I didn't think

obv webuyanycar etc are pulling your pants down.  As for insurance, I meant "fully comp on your car" - which means motor trade insurance, or someone coming back for a second viewing with a note from their insurer to say they are covered to drive your car fully comp.


Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: kinboshi on August 23, 2012, 03:52:31 PM
As has been said, a dealer is going to want to buy the car far below the price they're typically selling for as they have to stick their not insubstantial margin onto it when they advertise it for sale.

You might get some time-wasters, but a car like that should get some good interest. Obviously, give it a full valet and include lots of good photos with the advert - makes a big difference in the interest you'll get. Be prepared for a bit of haggling nd include what you need to in the advertised price.

Don't meet anyone who asks if you can bring it to them, and obviously don't hand over the car and keys until you have received the funds as cash (you'll be used to checking notes for fakes) or as cleared funds in your account. Cheques and even bankers drafts need to clear before the money is yours.

It's worth having a check done on the car (to show it's not been written off and doesn't have outstanding finance on it, etc.), saving the buyer the expense and hassle and makes the selling process easier.


Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: Dry em on August 23, 2012, 04:48:17 PM
Thanks all for very useful info

So it's normal for the person not to drive it on a 1st viewing? I guess from the buyer's perspective they don't want to fork out on the cost of insurance for it if there's a chance they won't be interested once they've viewed it.

Also depends how far away they are travelling to visit it I guess

Probably going to give it a go


Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: BulldozerD on August 23, 2012, 04:50:19 PM
Good thread, just decided to sell my car too and am looking to do it privately


Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: ripple11 on August 23, 2012, 05:00:31 PM

Someone was talking about the "insurance problem" on another forum, and it was suggested you google "insurance for a day".... quite a few companies do it.


Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: Simon Galloway on August 23, 2012, 05:04:54 PM
Thanks all for very useful info

So it's normal for the person not to drive it on a 1st viewing? I guess from the buyer's perspective they don't want to fork out on the cost of insurance for it if there's a chance they won't be interested once they've viewed it.

Also depends how far away they are travelling to visit it I guess

Probably going to give it a go

I sold a performance car privately.  It will attract the odd chancer/joyrider.  If they are serious about the car, they can leave a deposit, arrange insurance and come back.  Without it, you are mad letting them drive.  What if they prang it?


Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: kinboshi on August 23, 2012, 08:42:35 PM
Thanks all for very useful info

So it's normal for the person not to drive it on a 1st viewing? I guess from the buyer's perspective they don't want to fork out on the cost of insurance for it if there's a chance they won't be interested once they've viewed it.

Also depends how far away they are travelling to visit it I guess

Probably going to give it a go

I sold a performance car privately.  It will attract the odd chancer/joyrider.  If they are serious about the car, they can leave a deposit, arrange insurance and come back.  Without it, you are mad letting them drive.  What if they prang it?

I sold one (not a very expensive one, but a Group 20 car on the old system), and didn't let the buyer drive it at all.  I took him out for a drive and told him he could get insurance and come back and test drive it - but I wouldn't hold it in the meantime and if another buyer stumped up the cash I'd sell it to them.  He said he would get the insurance and come back, and then called up and said he'd buy it anyway.


Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: Dry em on August 24, 2012, 10:40:23 AM
When using autotrader should I use the tele safe? (Uses a different tel number in the ad which auto forwards to yours). Sounds good but then doesn't work for texts so you miss out on anyone who tries to text you? Could always state no texts in the ad body I guess


Title: Re: Selling a car privately
Post by: tonytats on August 24, 2012, 11:10:30 AM
When using autotrader should I use the tele safe? (Uses a different tel number in the ad which auto forwards to yours). Sounds good but then doesn't work for texts so you miss out on anyone who tries to text you? Could always state no texts in the ad body I guess

Y not buy a sim 10£ ? Put it in an old phone just for the sale ! Will save your number being plagued by " we have buyers for your car " agencies send us 75£ n they send a few tyre kickers round if any at all