Big insurance problem when buying 2nd hand cars

mushypeaman

Foxy-Stoat wrote: »

I thought that was a possible solution....maybe I didn't type it very well:

Talk to your present insurers and ask them if they will keep your first car insured for a couple of weeks - they wont do this for free. If they wont help then:

You can buy 24 hour policies for around £25, that will get your new car home.

Park your new car off the road while you sell and still drive your first car, which will allow test drives etc.

Talked to my insurers; they were a no-no. Parking the new car off the road? Unfortunately I don't have that facility, but that's possibly a good solution for those who do - thanks Foxy

Strider590

It is very awkward isn't it, I think it's probably engineered this way to keep people going to dealers rather than going down the private sale route.

The problem is, there were a lot of unemployed folk buying/selling cars from their homes, or people doing this as a 2nd income and I don't think the govt or the automotive industry was too happy about it.

The industry loses out on profit, the govt loses out on the tax on that profit.... It was only a matter of time before they got together and dreamed up a way to f**k it all up.

Foxy-Stoat_3

mushypeaman wrote: »

Talked to my insurers; they were a no-no. Parking the new car off the road? Unfortunately I don't have that facility, but that's possibly a good solution for those who do - thanks Foxy

Do you have any neighbours/close by friends/family who would let you borrow their driveway/garage for a week or so for a few beers or the like?

Other than asking giving the private seller a deposit and pick up your new car once your first one is sold then its going to cost you on insurance or a reduced price to sell your first car quick.

How much is your current car worth realistically?

fivetide

mushypeaman wrote: »

Talked to my insurers; they were a no-no. Parking the new car off the road? Unfortunately I don't have that facility, but that's possibly a good solution for those who do - thanks Foxy

Then you are a bit stuffed. I had the same issue recently so I know what you are facing.

All I can say is get yours sold, get the cash in your pocket, then go out and buy something else.

Alternatively it is holding a fire sale of sorts and getting what you can for yours in order to take away the new one.

londonTiger

Sell your car first. If you need to you can use zip car for the absolutely essential trips for when you are without a car, then buy your new car.

Resist the urge to fall in love with a new car. You can buy a new car whenever, if you buy a new car now it's just going to sit off the road anyway. IMO I want to drive a new car straight away, partly from excitement and partly from the fact that if there are problems I can go back to dealer and rectify them. If you live it too long dealer might shrug and deny responsibility because it's been a while since you purchased

londonTiger

Also if you have both cars with you, you will be in a sort of rush to sell the old one. You might be tempted to take silly offers so take your time. Sell it first snd then buy the new one

OddballJamie

Recently my partner changed cars and the part-ex that was offered was pitiful (no give left in the newer car), so we paid a deposit and arranged to pick up the new (used) car the following weekend. The same day I washed and waxed her current car, put it on Gumtree and other free ad sites and sold it for more than twice the part-ex price the following lunchtime.

mushypeaman

Foxy-Stoat wrote: »

Do you have any neighbours/close by friends/family who would let you borrow their driveway/garage for a week or so for a few beers or the like?

Other than asking giving the private seller a deposit and pick up your new car once your first one is sold then its going to cost you on insurance or a reduced price to sell your first car quick.

How much is your current car worth realistically?

No I don't, but once again a very good idea for those who might be able to do that.

Regarding deposit etc, how about this for an idea. Ask the seller to bring the car to your home, and buy it there, then give the seller a lift home.

mushypeaman

I'm encouraged and pleasantly surprised by the response and depth of feeling in such a short space of time, thanks to all. :T

Got to go out for a few hours now, but I'll pick up when I get back.

Foxy-Stoat_3

The seller will want a deposit off you to hold the car while you sell your old one.

Best you advertise your car now, leave the seller a deposit of say £100 and explain the situation. If they are not happy to hold the car for your then look for another one. Its tough selling cars, unless its an under priced bargain of the century then it will still be there in a week or so.