When selling your car, what do you require and allow on a test drive?

[Rock&Roll]

No

Haven't sold a car in a while but when I sold me daughters Honda Civic ...

1st guy took the car for a 90 minute ride like WTF

2nd Guy I decided to go with him and let him drive. He drove the car like a maniac

3rd guy I told him what happened with 1st guy and 2nd guy and told him that I would drive. He ended out buying the car so my suffering was over.

Never again. They either have to give me all the cash I'm asking for the car or I drive. If they don't like it too bad. No way I'd let someone drive my Mustang, GTI or Harley.

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[SheepDog]

I mean look at test drives at a dealer regardless of type of vehicle. Its a set drive and no where to really get on it. It for a reason. Liability. If someone wraps up your car by driving it. You are still going to take the hit on insurance. Especially if they aren't a registered driver, They may tell you to kick rocks after its FUBAR. Its not worth it. Especially nowadays where no one has any respect for others stuff. They can ride with me and Ill get on it some for them and show them the work orders and mods, etc. Hell, I wouldn't let some friends drive my car.

What is kind of funny about that is- The cheap brands tend to be way more strict about it, and always want a sales douche to ride with you. My wife and I went to look at a Taycan a few weeks ago. Guy just took a photo of my drivers license, and said "enjoy". We drove off in a $160,000 car and went a good 30 miles in it. Took it on the highway, found a side road to flog it a little and brought it back. Test drove a Hyundai Ionic 5, and the dude was basically in my back pocket the whole time.

 

[Cobra Jet]

Watch out that you don’t get some scumbag coming off FBMP who’s going to attempt to jack your car… and possibly cause harm to you in the process. It happens and not everyone on FBMP is on there to do legit transactions, there’s a lot of scum and scammers on that POS social media site.

Get an image of their license and state no test drives unless you can get an image of their license which you will delete in front of them after the test drive is over. Also ask them to text from their number to your phone so there’s a record of contact between the both of you in the event anything goes sideways.

Do not let them drive the car even with you in it unless you have done both of the above steps if you’re contemplating allowing a test drive.

The above may sound silly to some, but this world we live in today isn’t your parents Leave it to Beaver happy land of innocent do gooders…

Always take precautions.

If the potential buyer is young or you’re not wanting to allow people to drive it - just state there’s no seat time, that you are more than willing to run the car through the gears and certain rpm/mph to demonstrate its capabilities and ensure the car functions as advertised.

 

[Johnny maverick]

People buy cars online without a test drive every day. Give the potential buyer a ride . you can weed out the tire kickers. If they are still interested they won't have any problem giving you the proper information. As for a potential car jackers here in New Hampsha I wear a side arm visible and one not visible.

 

[pinksurfer]

saw a ford f150 short box 2wd a few months ago on my way home driving like an absolute asshat. at one intersection I saw the truck had dealer advert for a plate. when i got home looked truck up and called dealer. truck had the 5.0/10speed and 2024. I told them what I saw and floor manager said "truck is sitting in front of the dealership now. wrecked.". guy hit a palm tree in front of the dealership roasting the tires trying to drift.
called me a week later looking for statement for insurance.

this is why I am careful who can test drive and I'm always with them. vet the person out carefully.

 

[EFI]

I'm just curious about your asking for them to show you proof of insurance? Insurance for what exactly?

Usually insurance is for a specific car, so I can't imagine many people out there carrying insurance for YOUR car. And the insurance they may carry for their other vehicles doesnt apply to your car. So even if they have insurance for their own cars, if they crash your car during the test drive that insurance is pointless as it won't cover anything.

The only insurance that matters in this situation is your own insurance on the vehicle. Noone elses insurance policy is going to pay for a random car.

 

[SheepDog]

Noone elses insurance policy is going to pay for a random car.

Which is one of the reasons that you shouldn't let anyone drive it.

 

[Bruce 8858]

Cars always seem faster from the passenger seat. I'd take them for a ride. Explain to them if they crashed, insurance would only reimburse you for the price of the stock car and you'd be out thousands upon thousands.

If it came down to being a deal breaker, then they would need to show proof of funds before letting them drive. I'd also let them know you will be recording everything with your dash cam as well as the pre drive conversation saying if they had an accident, they would be purchasing the car or something of the sort.

May not hold up legally, but would sure help filter out the serious buyers.

I would put all of this in writing and have them sign it and give them a copy.

 

[diambo4life]

Have you seen the video of the guy who bought a Mustang and launched it out of the seller's driveway and crashed it? Thankfully it was already bought!

My car, they would test drive it and can't get on it at all. If they want to feel the power, I am driving it.

 

[TXGTPig]

I'll add my $0.02. First and foremost, go with your gut. If the person seems mature, respectful, and reliable, I'd possibly let them test drive it with me in the car. However I would take them for a test drive first and let them see what the car is capable of. I find most people that actually intend to buy the car, aren't going to want to take it out an beat the piss out of it. I've sold a handful myself. I'll also add this. Anytime I've test drove a car, regardless if its 100hp or 1,000hp I never ragged on it. I may slowly run up some RPM, but I do not beat on it. Usually the current owner is more than happy to take me for a "spirited" test drive, and that's sufficient for me. Good luck.

 

[Zenaxia]

I think to buy a car like this you really need to be able to go WOT to understand it, also getting on and off the throttle to check fuel trim and throttle plate engagement since thats a common issue, it depends on the person but ultimately its your car, your sale, your decision, if you feel like someone shouldnt be doing something then dont let them, also you know if your car is dangerous or not, depending on power, brakes, tires and suspension, the test driver doesnt.

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