Selling a car privately

[Dry em]

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?

[Simon Galloway]

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.

[tonytats]

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

[bobAlike]

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.

[maldini32]

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.

[Dry em]

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

[scotty77]

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.

[RED-DOG]

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.

[kinboshi]

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?

[Simon Galloway]

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.

[kinboshi]

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.

[Dry em]

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

[BulldozerD]

Good thread, just decided to sell my car too and am looking to do it privately

[ripple11]

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.

[Simon Galloway]

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?