Selling car on Ebay

benjus

Going back to the original question, you can of course buy temporary comprehensive insurance cover for a test drive. It's not cheap (at least £20 for a day's cover), but it would let you have the test drive legally and would also cover you for the drive home if you decided to buy it.

As for the points about ebay auctions, it's tricky. As a buyer, I would much prefer to test drive a car rather than buying blind, but I don't want to waste time looking at loads of cars I might not win anyway. As a result, I would generally prefer classified ads or auctions with something like "Listed elsewhere - I reserve the right to end the auction early", which means that the seller would probably take a cash offer for immediate sale. Another tip is to google the seller's phone number or the car's registration plate to see if it's advertised elsewhere.

It's true that if a car is found to be not as described when an auction ends the buyer has the right to walk away. However, this could be a rather subtle or subjective point, and I wouldn't want to get into that situation.

lpt64

I have sold six cars on ebay - had problems with two of them. Three were non runners and sold easily.

One was won by a child on his parents account who kept arranging to pick up by email then not turning up and making excuses. That one cost me £300 as when I relisted bidding didn't go as high.

The other one was a diesel van that I listed as having a broken alternator. The guy who won turned up 6 hours late and, despite my warnings, set off on a 250 mile drive at 4.00 on an October afternoon. No chance he was going to make it in daylight and once he switched the lights on the battery wouldn't last long. He emailed the next day wanting me to pay his breakdown recovery costs and the cost of replacing the alternator!!

What I would make sure to do is describe everything in as much detail as possible. Mention any fault, however small, then there can be no comeback. Put loads of pictures on showing any marks/dents etc. To prevent no shows I now ask for a small deposit (£100 maybe) by Paypal within 24 hours and remainder in cash. Costs you a bit but saves messing around and missing the chance to offer to the second highest bidder.

mikey72

lpt64 wrote: »

....... To prevent no shows I now ask for a small deposit (£100 maybe) by Paypal within 24 hours and remainder in cash. Costs you a bit but saves messing around and missing the chance to offer to the second highest bidder.

The fault with that is a lot of people never bid on them, me included, as I always wonder why the seller is keen to get the money, and I'm honest enough to follow the request as well.
It won't stop time wasters though, they'll still bid as they don't intend to pay anyway.
Paypal would refund the deposit, either for INR, or SNAD anyway, so there's no security in it.

I saw one, "private sale" that asked for paypal of £250 deposit on winning. I emailed to ask would it be ok if I turned up a few hours after the auction to pay cash in full, as it was about 10 minutes away.
He said no, the non-refundable paypal deposit was required.
So I passed on it.

It must have sold and been back on 5 times, each time due to "non-paying timewasters", but each time with a few more faults declared as well.

He listed a fair few more "private sales", all his familes cars in fact, and each time they followed the same pattern.

Then he appeared to give up on the used car business.

muckles

Many thanks for the advice especially the message on cash and on the insurance position.
Using Ebay does not seem quite as straight forward as I had first thought.
I very much appreciate the help I have been given.

lpt64

It's worked for me. Might not stop time wasters bidding but you get to know faster.
Whatever way you do it on ebay there will always someone doesn't like it!

cyclonebri1

If it's not too late.

The problem for me is that ebay attracts all walks of life. I'll let you make of that what you will.

I've advertised cars privately and someone has come to view, made insulting remarks and I've f*****d them off. I like to chose who I deal with. That's difficult with an ebay purchase and can lead to conflict.

I think the op has had a good balanced view of the risks and benefits:A

cyclonebri1

Gandalfthesecond wrote: »

You've no doubt done them a favour.

Trully hope so, , I do like to chose who I deal with.

Or do you take any crap as long as you get the money??

mikey72

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Trully hope so, , I do like to chose who I deal with.

Or do you take any crap as long as you get the money??

Depends on if you still have the car or not, at the end of the day.