Asking buyers for proof of insurance before test drive

[AnthonyG]

One point is that a lot of people think that since they have comprehensive cover they are covered to drive other cars third party, as it used to be more or less universal with these policies. Now it is down to the company, some do, some don't.

[Bobthebeard]

Never allow anyone to drive the car unless you trust them totally. Only ever allowed a couple of people to drive a car for sale, and they were both on here, so trusted.

In the past, if anyone wanted to see the car driven they came along as a passenger. Never had a problem with that so far!

[Pillock]

I've had a TPF&T policy that covered me for other cars, specifically, checked over the phone to make sure. This was followed by a comprehensive policy that didn't include this.

 

You can't tell without seeing the policy, but even then third party won't pay out if they damage your car anyway.

[Guest Breadvan72]

That's an interesting point.  If the potential buyer leaves you the full asking price in (real) cash when he takes the car for a test drive, does that then mean that it technically becomes his car, thus exonerating you from any responsibility should he be IN10ing?

 

 

No, because title does not pass until the parties agree that it passes.   If the potential buyer is testing the car and has not yet agreed to buy it, it isn't his.

[garbaldy]

So if potetial buyer who left price of car before test drive damages said car can you legaly keep his money. Ie you bend it you mend it

[Guest Breadvan72]

People appear to have the impression that the law is a big book of rules that lays down an answer for every factual scenario.  It isn't.  In contracts, everything depends on what the parties have agreed (subject to some supervening statutory rules not relevant here) .  Agreement can be express, or can be inferred from conduct.   Responsibility for causing damage to someone else's property is partly a matter of contract, if there is one, but also a matter of the neighbour principle, ie: the duty of care.   Anyone allowing someone to take a car off  for a test drive ought prudently to agree in advance that the driver accepts responsibility for care of the car, but if the driver is careless with it he may be liable for the damage in any event.  Best of all : make sure he's insured.

[Tetleysmooth]

If someone comes to buy a car from me, I do the driving.

 

It cuts out all the hassle.

 

Likewise, if I buy a car from someone, I let them do the driving.

 

After all, what can't you see/hear/feel from the passenger seat that you can from the driver's?

You can check brake pedal travel without driving the beast.

If anyone insists on driving, they can FRO.

[garbaldy]

For years I've been ignorant of the law and just letting anyone drive or ride my motors on trust, it does Sounds like it could turn into a right can of worms if anything untoward where to happen.

Think I shall follow tetleysmooths advice from now on.

[Guest Breadvan72]

It's interesting to see how people have such different views on this.  For me, If someone comes to look at a car, I offer him a test drive, and if I go to look at one, a test drive is essential.   If I travelled to see a  car and the owner refused to let me drive it, I would say cheerio and not buy it.     When I take a punt on buying a car that I have not seen I do so on the basis, usually, of email and/or phone contact with the seller and I form a view as to whether he is a straight dude with a straight car for sale.   I see cars on eBay but buy them following direct negotiation with the seller, bypassing the auction.  When I buy via AS, if someone is an established poster here that stands for me as a form of assurance that the seller is a decent type and that the car will be what it is said to be, and here people are very open and honest about the faults that cars have when offered for sale..  

[Tetleysmooth]

It may be an idea to state your intentions first, before people travel to view, i.e. because of insurance hassles, you'll be doing the driving. It may save prospective buyers a journey.

[Ratdat]

I find that weighing them in instead saves you so much hassle.

[Tetleysmooth]

I find that weighing them in instead saves you so much hassle.

 

...but the weighbridge operator might want a test drive.

[rainagain]

well I had some lesbians interested in my Stilo via scumtree email, they sounded keen and wanted to come and test drive it, then as soon as I asked them to bring proof of insurance they stopped replying to my emails.?????

[Mr_Bo11ox]

How do you know they were lesbians?

[rainagain]

How do you know they were lesbians?

They sent pictures...only joking, the first person who contacted me had a girls name and she then went on to ask if her girlfriend could test drive it as she was still learning.

[Guest yelookinit]

I was selling my cousins Fiesta Zetec S for her a few years ago, guy turns up in a nice sapphire cosworth, he leaves me with his 12yr old daughter and the cossie, takes it for a test drive and he is away for about 40 mins so i am getting a bit worried, god knows how the daughter felt. Turns out car had broke down 10 mins into test drive, he had left his mobile in his car. I found this out when he comes pushing it down the road with the help of some random guy.

Funny though he never bought it!