Matthewstorm

I have a question for people selling their car online.
How do you protect yourself when someone wants to test drive your car and they wreck it then say 'see ya'?

BryanKlingele

You could ask them if they will allow you to take a picture of their license and their insurance card. If they refuse, then you should (In my opinion) refuse to let them drive your car. It's really no different than going to a dealer and test driving one of their cars.

Matthewstorm

Right. But still, how do you hold them accountable?
I thought of saying they had to have full purchase price on hand and if they wrecked it they bought it but I'm not sure if that's entirely reasonable.

BryanKlingele

It truly is no different than test driving a car at a dealership. If you wreck their car on a test drive the will file a claim with your insurance company.

Zjoe6

The above sounds like really good info. The other thing is that you are obviously going with them on the test drive. Keep them from doing anything stupid. I know the one time I sold my 2004 Z06 it was like 53 degrees and I had summer tires. I told the guy take it easy and actually reminded him again in a turn on a country road that I knew very well. Also reminded him while he was driving to be more careful shifting as that is the one way to blow up an engine (M6 trans). So yeah, keep a close eye on them while they're driving. You want the accident to never happen.

AdamP123

Personally, I would absolutely not allow someone to drive my car until they bought it and I would let them know that BEFORE they came to look at it. If someone were to wreck your car on a test drive, it would be a legal nightmare (especially if they were an a**hole about it). Even if you ride along with them while they drive, they could still screw up something. I'd drive and let a potential buyer ride along and do whatever they wanted (within reason), but no one is driving my Vette until it is paid-in-full, and off my insurance. If that stipulation were to make my car harder to sell, so be it.

VINAL13

Check with you current auto insurance policy, you may be able to add a temporary driver rider that protects you in case the car is wrecked during a test drive. I would also be IN THE CAR during the test drive, this usually limits and spontaneous crazy driving habits from the person driving your car.

Matthewstorm

Thanks, I'll check with my insurance Co.
I'll definitely be in the car 🚙 with them.
Trying to sell a car sucks.

Matthewstorm

Bump.

Matthewstorm

Bump.

onebadcad

If a potential buyer shows up and wants a test drive, tell them no, but you will take them for a drive.
If they object ask them if they are willing to buy the car at full price if they have an accident on the test drive, a reasonable person will understand and accept you driving the car for a test drive.
If they are insistent, you can spend time authoring a liability document, but this is equal to enforcing as going after their insurance company for a claim.
I have never bought a car in a private sale, and doubt me driving the car would convince me of a buying decision more than the owner taking me out for a ride, as other things, such as service records and the car's appearance and the performance of the car while owner was driving would be acceptable to me.

Matthewstorm

My insurance company told me that it would be them that would pay not the guy who wrecked it insurance company.

baddboyz03

phone number

KGrant

Everyone seems to be along the same page on how to take it from a niche car to a car for the masses! GLWS

I would cut a deal with whoever added all the red paint/wrap, stickers/decals to quote you how much they would charge to take it back to 100% black. If they said $2000, I will tell them that you are selling the car and would pay them $3000 or $3500 from the proceeds of the sell of the car and sign a legal binding contract that they are owed whatever dollar amount agreed upon.

I am just thinking out the box and creatively since you are clear that you don't have the "time, energy or money" to do it on your own. Or, you could find someone that you have the personal relationship with that has the financial means and give them the same offer if they lend you the money and you pay someone to do the work and when it sells you pay them back with the bonus money.

rwc815

Not sure if my neighbors would appreciate me if this was parked in my neighborhood. Strip it back to stock appearance and it may be more marketable.

aasports

PM sent

foundvettelifeisgood

This is correct. Insurance follows the car. Anyone you allow to drive your car is covered by your insurance. If someone steals and wrecks your car, it's covered by your insurance.

Matthewstorm

Bump.

KGrant

That is true but some Insurance companies have specific language meaning you are covered when you let someone drive your car who has a “Valid Driver’s License” and if you don’t ask to see their license to validate that it is valid and current your claim could be denied. So make sure you ask to see the license and also take a picture of it for your records.

tytek

Do you have the stock parts that came off the car? Are they included in the sale?

Also, where are you located?