discobay

I've never sold a car here before so what's the procedure when a prospective buyer comes around? Other than showing the car do I have to offer a test drive? My concern is that joy riders want the drive without any interest in buying. Can I just offer to drive them around? And is payment normally made by bank transfer or a cashier's cheque?

Deancm

Would you buy a car without test driving it yourself?

Unless it's a Ferrari, I wouldn't worry about joy-riders.

discobay

So you don't like cars do you.

slipshot

I agree with Dean - why would you expect to buy a car and not drive it. If you are going to be sitting with them, then it will be fine, and you can tell them what they should and should not do if you feel uncomfortable.

I'd say there is a greater chance they scare the crap out of you through bad driving than being a joy rider.

What car is it?

discobay

Whilst I agree that I too would want a test drive before I decided to buy a car I don't see how joy riding is limited to Ferraris or other exotic cars. We are surrounded by hoons, wannabes and the have-nots. Mine's an HSV GTS.

Deancm

I'm actually a bit of a petrol head. So unless the car is decent, handles well and has a bit of guts, then it's probaly not worth going out of my way travellng to wherever the cars is just to have a bit of a joy ride.

Deancm

That's why when you first speak to them you need to ask them questions to ascertain if they are serious or just taking the piss. The problem with selling anything is that you are going to get a combination of serious buyers as well as tyre kickers.

johnnyx0

Just tell them no test drives without sticking a large wedge of cash into your hand first as a deposit. That'll stop most of the test pilots.

I admit, I used to go around to car dealers (but never private people) and test drive a few cars for fun. Took out TVRs, Porsche, Lotus, etc. I once had the guy from the Vauxhall garage going white in the face and digging his fingers into the leather seats on a Calibra turbo, poor guy was petrified! He told me that if I bought this car, I'd have to slow down. Hehehe

You'll tell by the person if they're interested, what they're wearing, how they act. I wouldn't worry too much.

discobay

Thanks appreciate the sound advice.

The Bloke

Have you had a current safety cerificate issued for the vehicle before putting it up for sale? You will need one.

The Bloke

One of the guys that I used to work with had his later model Celica up for sale, so he let this guy take it for a test-drive (with him in the car) around local streets. Apparently he pushed the car to the edge of the envelope (powerslide around corners), slid straight into gutter, slight bend in the chassis, stuffed the rear wheels, axle, and drivetrain.

discobay

Ah yes i forgot that QLD quirk!

discobay

That is my worst fear - and I would have to pay for it.

Deancm

Why would you have to pay for it? The driver's liable.

discobay

You are so trusting. What if a problem appears after the joy rider has had the drive and left?