Selling a deceased wifes car with no hassle / contact

[Deleted User]

Hi can anyone please give some advice on behalf of an friend who is looking to sell his deceased wifes car.

His wife passed away around 14 weeks ago , the car is currently still in her name with insurance and tax as it is on the road .

I have used a couple of sites and the valuation comes up around the 4k-5k mark but not too sure how to proceed as she wants to have little to no contact with the buyer - just that they come and collect and take it away - she has a low immune disorder so is worried about contact with others.

I can possibly take the afternoon off to meet the people at her place if it needs someone to hand the paperwork etc over.

He is not looking for a top price but just as little as hassle as possible

Any ideas on what companies to use and the best way going forward?

 

la531983

Motorway was great when I got rid of mine, give them a try. 

oldernonethewiser

Sold a relatives car through Motorway.

Signed up, had to take lots of pictures and upload them, you are guided through this and it is pretty easy although I was initally in an area with a poor signal and the pictures wouldn't upload.

Pictures of inside, outside, wheels, log book etc.

Phone call discussion with Motorway after that.

They then suggest a price and put it out to bids.  I was informed of highest bid and accepted. It was more than I expected.

Email confirmation then a few days later person arrived at door, gave the car a once over, phoned the buyer to inform them car is as described.

Waited a few minutes then asked me to check bank account as the money should be there.  It was.

He drove off.

The collecting of the car was the only face-to-face interaction.

A friend was disappointed with Motorway as the price offered was below his expectations.

He used We Buy Any Car and was happy with that.

[Deleted User]

Thanks for the comments , did they take the car for a test drive?

The main concern is that the car is his wife name rather than his ( he does not drive ) .. they have a joint account together so payment could be made into his account.

chrisw

They usually have a short test drive round the block.

They just have to be satisfied it's not stolen, so it doesn't matter if it's in his wife's name as long as the address and story stacks up. 

oldernonethewiser

When I sold to Motorway there was no test drive, when another friend sold to WBAC there was no test drive either.

Herzlos

Being at the registered address should be sufficient. If there's a death certificate or any kind of paperwork that shows your friend has a reasonable ability to sell the car then that'd smooth things over a bit if any questions come up, but realistically the buyer isn't going to interrogate you too hard about it unless something feels off.

lr1277

I would guess the insurance stopped when the wife died. So no longer insured?

Ensure anybody who is driving the car has their own insurance that will cover the car even it is 3rd party only.

I have seen in policies over th last few years, I could drive another person's car with 3rd party insurance from my insurer, but only if the car was fully insured I am guessing in the registered keeper's name.

Not sure of any of this so at least worth asking the question unless someone here can advise?

Arunmor

Has probate been granted?

[Deleted User]

oldernonethewiser said:

Sold a relatives car through Motorway.

Signed up, had to take lots of pictures and upload them, you are guided through this and it is pretty easy although I was initally in an area with a poor signal and the pictures wouldn't upload.

Pictures of inside, outside, wheels, log book etc.

Phone call discussion with Motorway after that.

They then suggest a price and put it out to bids.  I was informed of highest bid and accepted. It was more than I expected.

Email confirmation then a few days later person arrived at door, gave the car a once over, phoned the buyer to inform them car is as described.

Waited a few minutes then asked me to check bank account as the money should be there.  It was.

He drove off.

The collecting of the car was the only face-to-face interaction.

A friend was disappointed with Motorway as the price offered was below his expectations.

He used We Buy Any Car and was happy with that.

When you sold the car on behalf of your relatives did you put in your details into the website or your relatives ? Reason I ask the person the car who the car belongs to cant really handle the stress of the sale.. Another an issue the car has been sitting dormant for a few months so the battery is dead , would it need to be charged ?

Herzlos

You'll get a lot more for the car if it's running. The collection/inspection guy will probably be able to jump start it but will expect to be able to drive it onto a trailer or drive it away himself.

Most local garages should be able to send someone out to look at the car if you're not confident doing it yourself, but if it's just a flat battery then even a trickle charger might do.