Buyer wanting a test drive?

[maz]

My next question relating to selling a motorhome:

I'm not at all happy about any prospective buyer taking my beloved van out for a test drive. I'll happily drive it with them in the passenger seat but would be very reluctant to let them get behind the wheel. Even if they're clutching a certificate of insurance - how do I know it's real and that they haven't printed it out themselves?

What have other Funster sellers done when faced with this dilemma?

 

[Boringfrog]

Get them in the passenger seat, and take A N other too.

 

[Riverbankannie]

I would not allow it. I may be wrong, but on my own comprehensive policy, I think that I can drive other vehicles with owners permission but I would only be covered under that policy on a third party road traffic act basis.
I suppose you could get an insistant buyer to pay for you to add him/ her to your own policy.

 

[Tea Bag]

Hi.
Trust has to start somewhere,i would like to drive a motor if buying secondhand,does it pull to one side when travelling/braking,clutch ok etc. Have a look at what "They?" show up in,is it smart and clean,or grubby and dinked?.
Drive it yourself,to an area with less traffic,if at the weekend,try an Industrial zone,if they want a drive of it,let it be of your choosing where.
Best of luck.
Tea Bag

 

[bellabee]

When we bought our first van, privately, the seller took us for a good drive in it, but we didn't drive it ourselves. When we came to sell the van, we did likewise. No problems either time.

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[Theonlysue]

Would you buy without a test drive?

 

[stevec]

When I bought our first van privately I bought a short term insurance for about £20. The seller was happy with that.

 

[Graham and Jane]

If buying secondhand I would not look at one that did not allow me to test drive.

 

[Ambilkate]

When we sold ours Bill took the purchasers out for a run in it . We did offer to take them to a quiet carpark for them to have a drive but only with Bill sitting next to them . When we brought our new to us van we only sat in van while the owner drove it , Bill was happy with that . Hope a goes well for you x

 

[LesW]

Would you buy without a test drive?

Absolutely Not...
We viewed a motorhome that we were keen on at a dealers, when we asked for a test drive they said no, but we could drive 'a similar one'..
We walked away..

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[Infinity31]

Never sold a vehicle without offering the buyer him/herself a test drive. Would also walk away if refused.

 

[maz]

Would you buy without a test drive?

I've only bought from a dealer before so no problems with getting a test drive. However if I was buying from a private individual I think I'd be more aware that it was probably their pride and joy and would settle for riding along as a passenger.

 

[maz]

When I bought our first van privately I bought a short term insurance for about £20. The seller was happy with that.

Can I ask just what that insurance covered?

 

[maz]

Absolutely Not...
We viewed a motorhome that we were keen on at a dealers, when we asked for a test drive they said no, but we could drive 'a similar one'..
We walked away..

Agreed. I would definitely expect to test drive a dealer van.

 

[maz]

Never sold a vehicle without offering the buyer him/herself a test drive. Would also walk away if refused.

Can I ask what you did about insurance when you offered that test drive?

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[jonsea]

Just sold my motorhome let the chap drive it I would not buy one without test driving it john

 

[Tea Bag]

I've only bought from a dealer before so no problems with getting a test drive. However if I was buying from a private individual I think I'd be more aware that it was probably their pride and joy and would settle for riding along as a passenger.

Hi.
I cannot fault your thoughts,however,if it is their pride and joy,they "Could/might" drive in such a way,that a problem would remain unseen,ie, bracing themselves if it DID pull to oneside travelling or braking.
Another question,can you get into a comfortable position to drive for endless miles ? We have a Renault Master PVC,our second one,love them to bits,however,a Funster in another post on the forum,said he could NOT get comfortable in the Renault Master and would not entertain one.Just an observation,stay well,stay lucky.
Tea Bag

 

[airwave]

I may be wrong, but on my own comprehensive policy, I think that I can drive other vehicles with owners permission but I would only be covered under that policy on a third party road traffic act basis.

No , Annie your not wrong . I'm the same , but i had to specifie that i wanted that additional cover , plus it cost me extra . I used to get it be automatically at one time , but it was removed without my knowledge , and i found out by accident . I dont pay extra now , plus if i buy a new vehicle i can drive it , and notify my insurance company within two week's .

the seller took us for a good drive in it,

Yep i did the same , i wanted to hear it running more than drive it . It was the first motor i brought that i didn't drive , and the most expensive . However as i didn't drive it , i was more able to look for problem's , feel for vibration , listen to the engine , and watch the steering wheel for any issue's .

If buying secondhand I would not look at one that did not allow me to test drive.

Bit awkward this one , Graham , normally i'm the same ., but as i stated above , i was more able to look for problem's .

 

[MikeD]

I personally would want as test drive. But as a seller it would be show me the cash and when it Is safely in my hand you can drive it.

Any damage u pay for. Pleasè sign here!!!!

Had too many just wanting a play and waste your time

 

[Silver-Fox]

Would you buy without a test drive?

I did but it was off a forum member @Smith and Sharp and was offered a car park drive.

Its funny you can pick out issues if any sitting in the passenger seat as you're not concentrating on driving a strange vehicle.

I would probably have a slightly different approach with a total stranger. Having said that you get a feel for someone, gut feeling and if its not feeling it don't buy any way.

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[Barclaybasher]

Get them in the passenger seat, and take A N other too.

That's what I did when I bought it .........and when I sold it

 

[DanielFord]

If a seller refused me a test drive, that would be a deal killer for me. It just screams that there is something to hide!

 

[Steve and Denise]

Deposit some cash with the seller just in case you damage their van whilst test driving if it's not right get your cash back no probs. At the end of the day you are not paying dealer prices so you will not be treated the same as a dealer would do but you probably will pay a bit less. As the old saying goes you can't have your cake and still eat it. Failing that sell your van to a dealer.

 

[Infinity31]

Can I ask what you did about insurance when you offered that test drive?

Just checked they had insurance to drive with my permission, having already weighed up the person and and their intentions. You can tell those that are interested, they will have made moves on the price. At that stage they would probably have bought anyway, but a 5min drive up the road clinched the deal.

 

[Wildbill]

I would not allow any one to test drive my van unless I was going with them
No matter how nice thay may seem
If thay do have a insurance policy comprehensive you can check it with the motor insurance database
If thay come with another vehicle Mack sure you get registration a picture of it and them if possible
Don't let them tag along with the other
Vehicle.
An have some one else in the MH if possible.
A few years ago a fend of mine sold a transit based MH gave them a test drive and never seen them or the MH again
Thay left a fairly good car out side the home
The Penny didn't drop for several hrs as thay had Ben left a car as security it turns out to be stolen
Bill

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[Sheldon C]

When selling my A class the chap was adamant that he had to drive it himself, but I was welcome to come along. It was apparent he had never driven an automatic box and after cutting two kerbs badly and nearly colliding with a parked car I called a halt to the test drive and ended up trading it in to a dealer, my nerves couldn't handle dealing with anymore numptys.

 

[maz]

Lots of interesting points raised and I can see both sides of the argument. Thank you to everyone for your input.

I think I will ring my own insurance company (Comfort) today to see what their opinion is on the matter. As I live in the van (and will do so until it is sold) the last thing I want is any issue with them.

 

[Jim]

I always insist on a test drive. However, as I would not let someone test drive my van without them having fully comp insurance that I have verified in writing with their insurer; I do understand when my request for a test drive has been refused unless I prove I'm insured.

Buying off a dealer should be no problem as they will have insurance to cover the vehicle, if they refuse walk away. The number of times I've walked away because a dealer can't be bothered to move a few vehicles to get it out for a test drive Buying privately I have settled for being taken for a drive and with a bit of attention you can glean almost as much, sometimes more. I was having a test drive, being driven by the owner in a Swift Royale, everything seemed OK sat up front, but while he was driving I got up and moved into the back and heard the distinct whine and grumble of wheel bearings on both rears.

I've known people spend £70k at a dealer without even hearing the engine turnover. Blind faith, they soon learn

 

[GeriatricWanderer]

Would you buy a car without having a decent test drive? I certainly wouldn't.
Test drive refused - walk away.

If someone wants to sell their used vehicle, of any type, to refuse to allow a prospective buyer to test drive is daft.

Not difficult, or too expensive, to buy short term comp insurance ( at sellers cost).

 

[Welsh girl]

If people turn up after reading your advert for the van and want to test drive it how do you check their insurance in writing, it would take days for that to come through.what if they wanted it there and then and willing to part with cash.

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