Test drive dilemma with selling via Ebay ?

littleblue735

Hi All

I am selling my Dad's motorbike on Ebay this week and I know it will get a lot of interest as its in mint condition and very low mileage. Several people have emailed me to ask about viewing and test driving it before bidding. As my Dad lives 100 miles away from me and is not very ' street smart ', my question is -

How would he go about protecting himself from someone just doing a runner with his bike. I've sold cars before and obviously just sat in the car with them.
On the listing I've asked that anyone wanting to view has to bring their driving licence so at least he would have some details about them. Should I ask for a cash deposit too ?

Any advice most welcome ??

Barneysmom

Hi, I should imagine they'd have to have valid insurance too? Maybe that would put off would-be robbers?

Or get your dad to drive the bike with the prospective purchaser as pillion?

Flying-High_2

I'd be wanting the Cash for what your asking in my hand before they take it anywhere....

bigjl

When it comes to Motorbikes I would be very wary about letting a rider of unknown skill ride any bike of mine, unless as flying high says they are willing to put the cash in your hand before riding, most decent buyers will understand what your concerns are, if they get stroppy or angry then they probably aren't a serious buyer anyway.

It is your, or your dads, property and therefore the groundrules are set by you. Most bikers can check out a bike fairly well without taking it for a ride. You could offer a pillion.

missile

Be very careful. Whatever you do it is a risk.

Aside from risking damage to the bike, your dad would be responsible and could be prosecuted if you allow an uninsured rider to test his bike. As owner of the bike your dad would be liable and could face 6 points and a fine, same as if he were riding without insurance. It used to be common for bike insurance to cover third party whilst riding a.n.other bike, but few policies offer that now.

I have allowed others to test ride before but would not do it again. However, I would never buy a second hand bike without test riding it

See my posts on this thread> https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2660673

bigjl

It is a bit of a catch22 situation isn't it missile. Remember the happy days of the Norwich Union rider policy, pity they stopped it due to certain people abusing it.

missile

bigjl wrote: »

It is a bit of a catch22 situation isn't it missile. Remember the happy days of the Norwich Union rider policy, pity they stopped it due to certain people abusing it.

Ah the good old days, white socks over the boots I was one who used to swop with my mates etc.

bigjl

Not forgetting the protective clothing that consisted of two pairs of 501's with joggin bottoms underneath for winter........always had a good Shoei helmet and good gloves from Frank Thomas, just to make sure that I wouldn't miss any of the pain recovering from a slide down the road on my !!!!.

I also think that lots of people have missed out on the plastic topbox bungeed to the pillion seat, built character I say, though it did have the tendancy to press your gentlemens veg against the tank in a hard braking scenario, happy times, I even have the arthritis to prove it.

littleblue735

Dad is unable to ride the bike due to ill health ( hence reason for selling ) and I assumed any rider would have their own insurance to drive other bikes similar to my own car policy ?

Think best way would to see the cash before handing keys over !!

Keith

SEE? No, hold the cash, bike goes out, comes back as it left, you give the cash back.

Inner_Zone

And check their insurance, no insurance no test ride is the best rule.