Best way to sell car during lockdown

NedS

Hi all,

I have finally managed to convince my elderly parents that they no longer need their car and they have agreed to sell it. Any advice for the best way for them to sell it during lockdown? It's a 16 plate Honda Jazz valued at around £9K a few months back.

Their insurance has expired so the first problem they have is they can't drive it anywhere, so any buyer will need to collect. Before lockdown they had quotes from their local dealer network (Honda) and WeBuyAnyCar. I'm assuming their local dealer network may not be open or may not be looking to purchase stock at present, and am unsure if WeBuyAnyCar would be willing to collect. Any ideas? Maybe they should sit tight until lockdown ends, but this could go on for a while.

Also, I'd like to get this done before they change their minds. In my opinion they have been unsafe to drive for a while and lockdown has provided the ideal opportunity to persuade them that they can manage without a car as it's sat in the garage for the last 6 weeks unused whilst they've been shielding. Being elderly, they are unlikely to come out of shielding any time soon.

Appreciate any help or advice.

facade

Just sit tight, at least until after tomorrow- Boris may announce something that will make used car sales pick up.

At the moment, WBAC aren't buying as the auctions are closed, traders are closed too as they aren't getting the footfall.

Private buyers want a real bargain at the moment, so prices are right down, except at the lower end of the market.

Dr_Crypto

I wouldn’t sell it now at all.

Why do you think they’re unsafe? Giving up the car is giving up a fair bit of their independence. 

NedS

Why do I think they are unsafe - because I've seen them drive and they have had multiple small accidents in the last few years.

Insurance has expired. Car is currently garaged off road but is taxed for another few months. MOT either has just expired or is about to expire although I think there's a 6 month extension available for that.

Thanks for the feedback - seems like there are no options to sell atm so best to just sit tight until things change.

Mercdriver

They will get a fine from the DVLA if it remains uninsured.  Best to get it SORN'd to prevent this if it isn't going to move for a while

Marvel1

facade said:

Just sit tight, at least until after tomorrow- Boris may announce something that will make used car sales pick up.

Just note the announcement only applies to England.

missile

Get it MOT'd. Selling now will be a mistake. Selling without an MOT is madness.

NedS

Mercdriver said:

They will get a fine from the DVLA if it remains uninsured.  Best to get it SORN'd to prevent this if it isn't going to move for a while

I thought you only needed insurance if the vehicle is parked on the roads (but I could very well be wrong). Does it need to be SORN'd to leave it in garage?

452

NedS said:

Mercdriver said:

They will get a fine from the DVLA if it remains uninsured.  Best to get it SORN'd to prevent this if it isn't going to move for a while

I thought you only needed insurance if the vehicle is parked on the roads (but I could very well be wrong). Does it need to be SORN'd to leave it in garage?

If it's taxed it needs to be insured. 

NedS

missile said:

Get it MOT'd. Selling now will be a mistake. Selling without an MOT is madness.

Good advice. However, isn't it already covered for now under the 6 month extension?

facade

NedS said:

I thought you only needed insurance if the vehicle is parked on the roads (but I could very well be wrong). Does it need to be SORN'd to leave it in garage?

The Law changed. A vehicle must either have insurance and tax (and MOT if it is used on the road) or be declared SORN and kept off the road at all times. (a SORN'd vehicle can be insured and MOT'd obviously, but it doesn't have to be)

The insurance tax and SORN are checked by computer, and  generate automatic penalties by post if the conditions are not met.