Selling our Beloved Car

Grumpy_chap

We are selling our beloved car as a private sale, very reluctant because it is only the forthcoming ULEZ that forces us to sell.

So, we received an enquiry from someone who wants to see the car on Saturday - they are flying down from Scotland apparently.

Assuming they actually do turn up, what secure methods of payment should I accept?

Should I offer to meet them at / near the airport?  I kind of like the idea that they visit our house as they will then see that this is the genuine car and that we live at the address that matches the V5 etc.

I will use one of the AA templates for vehicle sale receipt.

It is well over 20 years since I sold a car privately - back then it was easy to go for cash but things are all moved on.

What are the precautions for me and the buyer?

shiraz99

Grumpy_chap said:

We are selling our beloved car as a private sale, very reluctant because it is only the forthcoming ULEZ that forces us to sell.

So, we received an enquiry from someone who wants to see the car on Saturday - they are flying down from Scotland apparently.

Assuming they actually do turn up, what secure methods of payment should I accept?

Should I offer to meet them at / near the airport?  I kind of like the idea that they visit our house as they will then see that this is the genuine car and that we live at the address that matches the V5 etc.

I will use one of the AA templates for vehicle sale receipt.

It is well over 20 years since I sold a car privately - back then it was easy to go for cash but things are all moved on.

What are the precautions for me and the buyer?

Bank transfer every time, but given it's a Saturday you may not see it in your account online straight away. It may be better to get them to accompany you to the bank, if it's open that is. How much are we talking about?

You can meet them but don't try and do the deal away from your house. If they want to drive the car, and I don't see why they wouldn't, make sure they have adequate insurance to do so.

At the end of the day, you're in the driving seat (no pun intended), don't be pressured into selling just because they've travelled so far, that's their issue not yours. And, on that subject, if they're travelling from Scotland how are they intending getting the car back there? If they want you to arrange courier or some other shenanigans then walk away.

DanDare999

shiraz99 said:

Grumpy_chap said:

We are selling our beloved car as a private sale, very reluctant because it is only the forthcoming ULEZ that forces us to sell.

So, we received an enquiry from someone who wants to see the car on Saturday - they are flying down from Scotland apparently.

Assuming they actually do turn up, what secure methods of payment should I accept?

Should I offer to meet them at / near the airport?  I kind of like the idea that they visit our house as they will then see that this is the genuine car and that we live at the address that matches the V5 etc.

I will use one of the AA templates for vehicle sale receipt.

It is well over 20 years since I sold a car privately - back then it was easy to go for cash but things are all moved on.

What are the precautions for me and the buyer?

Bank transfer every time, but given it's a Saturday you may not see it in your account online straight away. It may be better to get them to accompany you to the bank, if it's open that is. How much are we talking about?

You can meet them but don't try and do the deal away from your house. If they want to drive the car, and I don't see why they wouldn't, make sure they have adequate insurance to do so.

At the end of the day, you're in the driving seat (no pun intended), don't be pressured into selling just because they've travelled so far, that's their issue not yours. And, on that subject, if they're travelling from Scotland how are they intending getting the car back there? If they want you to arrange courier or some other shenanigans then walk away.

Define adequate? It's unlikely a non trade policy will be anything other than third party if they're using the driving other vehicles part of their policy. 

k3lvc

Is the car/price something special enough to justify someone flying from the other end of the country - or is this the potential for a scam where they turn up, show on their phone that they've paid, and because it's Saturday claim that bank issues are why it's not yet showing in your account ?

photome

what car is it

cymruchris

If it's an exceptional condition rare or highly spec'd model in above average condition with low mileage - I can understand someone travelling from Scotland - but if it's a run of the mill every day see it everywhere model of average condition and mileage - I'd be a bit more sceptical.

I would clarify with the potential buyer that if they like the car and want to buy it, you won't release it without cleared funds being in your account - full stop. No excuses. If there's any delay in the banking process, the car remains in your care until the funds are received. 

Too many scams with fake banking apps showing the money as 'sent' to your account but will never materialise.

Not that I would put too much into it - but have you spoken to them and do they have a Scottish accent?  (And yes I know not everyone in Scotland has a Scottish accent )

Grumpy_chap

Thanks for the comments so far, responding in order:

1. If they don't want to drive the car, I'd think that was very odd.

2.  For insurance, I think Day Insurance would be the most sensible way to go - it can be arranged instantly as I understand it when they are actually here and ready to go.

3.  The car needs to be collected from me and it is not really my concern how the car is got back to Scotland.  I'd assume they will drive it back.  I am not organising transport, nor am I passing the car just to a transport / collection company.

4.  This is our 1997 Fiesta which is in most excellent condition and low mileage for the age.  I've advertised through the classic car pages.  I need to sell to someone who is not particularly local (because of ULEZ).

5.  I like the idea mentioned "cleared funds evident or no car"

6.  I have spoken with them and they definitely sounded Scottish, so much so I had some difficulty in understanding at times.  They offered to come down tomorrow (Friday) or Saturday and I said Saturday would probably be the easiest, because it is not a work day.  The prospective buyer says they will need to fly down from Glasgow.

I maybe have been conditioned to being overly cautious because of the scams that are mentioned in this site from time to time.  Then again, can I be over-cautious?  The car is worth more than I can afford to lose in a scam.

I'll add on the detail, in the phone call, the caller was from a "Private number" and reluctant to give me their name, though did so (first name only) right at the end of the call. 
They did ask some pertinent questions about the car. 
It's just, if I was going to go and look at the details for flights and even book flights, I'd want the prospective seller to have my contact details so they can make contact if there is any change (maybe the car sells in the mean-time, or a tree falls on it or whatever). 
Certainly, I'd expect the caller to provide their number if they actually made arrangements to travel down (and I would not make such travel arrangements without having firm arrangements for the collection of the car, not just "Saturday") though they did say they will call again once they have looked into travel options.  Although they mentioned a flight, which is sensible enough, they also mentioned a bus option, which I assume is very slow.

The "Private number" might well be genuine - they called in the day time so may have been calling from work and all outgoing calls may be via an electronic switchboard.

Taking the comments about the "transport company collection", I can see that the vagueness about travel details could all be part of a process to then introduce the idea that it's easier and cheaper for a courier to collect...  That said, if I were the buyer, I would be vague at first enquiry on travel details as well.  At least I am primed to be aware of the "courier" query if it arises.

In general I am not convinced on the travel very far for a car.  The again, my BiL only this year flew up to Glasgow to buy a pre-reg 3-series only to decide that he didn't like the 3-series anyway and bought a Skoda instead.  If I did that, Mrs G-C would be very cross indeed - she'd accept if I had decided on the 3-series and it was the specific model options that I wanted, but not the whole day out and then decide against the whole model for something entirely different.

shiraz99

So, can I ask again, how much are you hoping to get for the car? If it's not particularly a large amount then I'd probably be OK with cash, but anything over a a few grand then I want a bank transfer with cleared funds before handing over the keys.

You're also going to need the full name and address of the buyer in order for your receipt as well as for the V5. Hopefully you'll get it nearer the time. Personally, I like to deal with this sort of communication via Whatsapp, that way you've got a record of exactly what is said and agreed.

Bigwheels1111

They might ask you not to stop the tax until tomorrow.
That way it’s one less hassle for them, it’s up to you.

Herzlos

It's not uncommon to fly somewhere to get a car and drive it home, though it usually needs to be something fairly special or cheap.

Car prices are crazy at the moment, so I can see it being valid to try and get a no longer ULEZ compliant car from London and take it back to Glasgow.

For what a 1997 Fiesta is likely to cost I'd be expecting cash. If bank transfer then confirm with your bank independently that the money is there. Ideally you want to take them to a bank (some will be open on a Saturday to transfer the funds).

Grumpy_chap

shiraz99 said:

So, can I ask again, how much are you hoping to get for the car? 

Under £2k    

Bigwheels1111 said:

They might ask you not to stop the tax until tomorrow.
That way it’s one less hassle for them, it’s up to you.

I don't see any way that is an issue for me - in the past it would take that long sending the form in the post.
Is there a potential concern there?  In terms of scams?

Herzlos said:

For what a 1997 Fiesta is likely to cost I'd be expecting cash. 

I am thinking to accept cash - it is what we always used to do.
Presumably I just need to be holding the notes up to the light to check water mark etc.
The risk for me is someone could present a wad of Scottish notes and I don't even know what they are meant to look like.