Advice needed, selling car privately

Morbier · 3 July 2018 at 4:39PM

Hello all

Newbie here, so bear with me.

I’m selling my Mini Cooper S privately as I assume that I will get more money for it that way.

However, being a lady ‘of a certain age’ I am a bit worried about when it comes to taking prospective buyers for a test drive. Nothing wrong with the car, I hasten to add, just me feeling very vulnerable with strangers in my car. What if a couple of big, burly blokes turn up?! Never mind whether we could all fit in a Mini! What is there to stop them chucking me out and driving off with my car?

I know I have to make sure they have insurance before I let them drive, and I know not to leave the engine running while I am outside the car, in case they jump in and drive off but what else should I do?

Apologies in advance to any big, burly blokes who would never harm little old (well, not that old) ladies! It was just an example of my fears.

Some useful hints from anyone who has been in this situation would be very welcome, thanks.

alan_d · 3 July 2018 at 4:45PM

I think you're worrying too much.
If you're unhappy with the potential buyer(s) then you could refuse to let them drive it.
Or take the hit and use we-buy-any-car or trade it in.

foxy-stoat · 3 July 2018 at 4:51PM

Arrange to have a big burly friend with you when they come to test drive.

EdGasketTheSecond · 3 July 2018 at 5:31PM

Insist on seeing that they are insured to drive it (usually drive another car witht he owners permission). If they aren't just offer to demonstrate it to them with you driving.

Might be less hassle to just sell it to WeBuyAnyCar or similar.

Morbier · 3 July 2018 at 5:45PM

Yes, I agree that WeBuyAnyCar would save on the hassle but I!!!8217;m being penny-pinching and trying to get as much as I can for it.

I understand that WBAC would offer less than I could get on eBay/Autotrader etc but I!!!8217;ve also heard that when you take it in, they reduce their offer further.

Yes, I!!!8217;d also thought of having a big burly bloke with me but there!!!8217;s a limit to how many people you can get in a Mini!, (legally)!

Penelopa.Pitstop · 3 July 2018 at 5:51PM

I took buyer on a test drive, he was just sitting on passenger side and listening to any noise or potential issues. Actually, it wasn't even buyer, but his friend.

Alternative to WBAC is Tootle.co.uk You advertise your car there and get offers from traders. I successfully sold my previous car this way, got decent offers and it was hassle free. It's free for seller, trader pays commission to the website.

Morbier · 3 July 2018 at 5:59PM

I!!!8217;ve heard of Tootle but thought it was for newer cars, mine!!!8217;s ten years old.

I like the idea of letting the prospective purchaser sitting in the passenger seat on a test drive. Wouldn!!!8217;t they be suspicious if I refused to let them drive? There!!!8217;s absolutely nothing wrong with it but I!!!8217;m trying to look at it from a buyer!!!8217;s point of view.

I may be making mountains out of molehills . . .

Penelopa.Pitstop · 3 July 2018 at 6:05PM

Tootle is free, so you can still try it, you won't lose a lot, except 15 minutes, to post an ad.

Morbier · 3 July 2018 at 6:06PM

Why do my apostrophes keep coming out funny?

onomatopoeia99 · 3 July 2018 at 6:40PM

Morbier wrote: »

Why do my apostrophes keep coming out funny?

You're probably using an iThing of some kind made by the evil empire.

Morbier · 3 July 2018 at 10:37PM

Yep. Not getting into an argument about that!

In response to Penelopa, the Tootle web site says they don!!!8217;t deal with cars over ten years (mine was ten in April) but I put the details in anyway. It came up with a really ridiculously low price so I shan!!!8217;t bother. Thanks for the idea.

Advice needed, selling car privately

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