Should I lend my car out?

Hintza

If you must,sell or give him the car so that nothing comes back to bite you.

Herzlos

Hintza wrote: »

If you must,sell or give him the car so that nothing comes back to bite you.

This. If he uses the car whilst it's registered in your name, you're going to have problems. Lots of them.

How much did you pay for the car? I'm assuming not much.

Firstly, if he can afford the insurance as a new driver who's already had a ban for no license/insurance, why can't he afford his own car? Realistically his insurance will be in the thousands (£4+ isn't inconceivable), and you can get a car with an MOT for £100.

Secondly, if he's already been banned from driving, he's not a responsible driver. And anything he does with it will affect you; invalid insurance, no tax, no MOT, not road legal, any speeding or parking fines, driving off from petrol stations without paying, any bumps or scratches, any mechanical abuse, tyre wear.

Thirdly, why do you even have a car? Wouldn't it make more sense for you to sell it until you can afford to run it?

So if he's genuinely getting insurance, he can afford to buy the car from you. If it's an expensive car, then you're going to be losing a lot in depreciation.

Mark_Mark

Has he really passed his test or has he just told you that to get a free car? Driving lessons aren't cheap and a person with his driving history may have been required to take an extended test if he's ever been convicted of dangerous driving.

How is he going to pay for insurance? Remember any document offences can come back on you.

poppasmurf_bewdley

helencal80 wrote: »

He has been driving for years, unfortunately most of this time he has been banned from driving, for driving with no licence, insurance, etc. I know this doesn't make him sound any better but he is a sensible driver and I don't think he will risk losing his licence after so long of not having one.

I think I am more reluctant as we don't have the best relationship as it is and although I would never say he would rip me off or 'steal' it, there's always that 'what if'... and I feel a bit like I am being guilt tripped into it.

Thanks for the advice everyone.

The points I have highlighted in bold do seem to contradict each other.

Taking into account his past history, I would not trust him by lending him a bike, never mind a car.

Norman_Castle

He has been driving for years, unfortunately most of this time he has been banned from driving, for driving with no licence, insurance

Get an insurance quote for a new driver, with his history, on a car he doesn't own. Please tell us the results, then work out how many visits on public transport this would pay for.

warehouse

andygb

I have quite enjoyed reading this load of BS, because with all the information given to us, I cannot believe that anyone would go on a forum and ask whether this is a good idea or not.:rotfl:

The guy must be quite well off, if he has been banned, wants to put the car through an MOT, then insure it (how much will that cost given his record:eek: - Oh yes, I forgot, he will not declare it) and tax it.
Sell him the car, get a receipt, and make sure the logbook is all signed off in his name.

TBagpuss

I'm with the majority - it would be a terrible idea to lend him your car. Don't let him make his problems your problems (Presumably there is a reason why he is you *ex*?)

With his terrible driving record (and it is terrible, regardless of how 'sensible' a driver he now thinks he is) the value of the car is likely to be the least expensive part of getting him on the road. His insurance is likely to be astronomical (assuming he honestly declares his situation) so if he is claiming he can't afford a couple of hundred quid to buy a cheap banger then I would be seriously questioning how he could possibly afford appropriate insurance.

If you do go down this route then I agree you need to get a written agreement drawn up, including provision that he must keep the vehicle insured at all times and that your permisission for him to drive only applies at any time that he is fully insured, and that he must provide you with evidence that he has fully comprehensive insurance, before you let him set foot in the car, that the agreement specifically states you do not consent to his driving the car or allowing anyone else to drive without appropriate insurance and that he is required to return the keys to you immediately in the event of his insuranace being cancelled or lapsing for any reason. (I do not know if this would be enough to protect you if he is caught driving uninsured - it might help)

Include provision that he will pay for tax, MoT and all repairs as log as the car remains in his possession, and that it will be returned to you in the same condition as when it left. Make him give you a deposit so if he does pick up any parking tickets or other fines you can reduce your losses.

But really - don't do it in the first place.

Given your comment about his seeing the children I wonder if he has been trying to guilt trip you into lending him the car - don't all for it. If he really wants to see the children, he will make the effort to see them, with or without a car. And if he isn't prepared to make that effort, then that is sad for the children, but it is not your responsibility.

maninthestreet

He ain't going to be able to afford insurance with his record, so if you let him drive the car he'll just do what he's done before with other cars - drive it with no insurance. Then the police will come after you for letting him drive the car uninsured....

SilverSaloon

100% "no" to this. You'd be a fool to lend him the car.

If you really see the need to help him out, Sell him the car instead if you dont use it. Ensure you are not out of pocket if you think there will be a time you will want to purchase another car.