Selling cars

Having had some git come round to look at my Audi yesterday and try to pull a fast one on me I thought I'd post a thread on selling cars, the do's and don'ts. I'm not talking about the e-mail scams, these are when some one comes to look at your car.

1/ Never leave the keys in the ignition. If you start the car stay in it and take the keys out when you get out. If they start the car be sitting in it or have the car in a position where it can't be driven away.

2/ Keep the log book in the house out of sight NOT in the car although I would say its OK to keep the service history in the car.

3/ If the buyer makes and acceptable offer and you accept when it comes to filling in the paper work get proof of ID and address before you fill in the log book. (The **** that waisted my time last night said he was moving and could he take all the paper work with him and fill it in when he moves. Big, big no, no. He got shown the door..........politely)

4/ If the buyer wants to copy info of the log book (previous owners details and vin/engine No's for checking up on the car) do it inside the house.

5/ If they want a test drive if they have fully comp insurance they are only third party on your car at best. If you don't have your car insured then they aren't covered at all. This ones up to you to decide on the level of cover you think they need, they could get a proper 7 policy on your car. Go with them on the test drive and take your mobile with you. Don't accept there car keys as a deposit no matter how nice there motor is, they will have a spare set! Or worse could slip you a fake/dodgy set.

I know this sounds really over the top and until last night I would have agreed with you but its just not worth taking the chances. The guy that tried it on with me seemed like a nice chap, obviously not though. It was a bit strange that he knew very little about Audi's as well, alot of our cars are a bit specialist and not of interest to some bloke or girl that just wants a new car. They are more of an enthusiasts car. Be careful and good luck selling.

Forgot one.

If possible have someone with you, on your side if you like. They will help balance the odds and keep you in check if your about to give your car away for a less than reasonable sum (or if your turning down a reasonable sum, I guess).

Oh and cheers for the comments peeps. Not the most interesting post I know but if it helps one person I'll be happy.

auroan said:

How/what did this guy do to try it on ?

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The guy phoned my while I was on holiday in Spain twice! He seemed to know very little about the car he was asking about, even asking "Has it got 4 Doors?" So it didn't seem right from the start but I gave him the benifit of the doubt and agreed a time for him to look at the car. Oh and he with held his phone number using some excuse about a new phone and his young son playing with it, which didn't correspond with a later story that he told me while looking at the car.

On the agreed day and time a silver Merc cruses up and down my road, slowing as it passes my car. It then dissapears and a couple of mins later this bloke arrives at my door no Merc in sight (Didn't wan't me to know the number plate?). Anyway he shows up starts to have a very quick look at the car, he even kicks the tyres for f' sake. One of the first things he says is he is moving on Friday (it was Tuesday) and dosen't want to fill out the log book with his old address if he buys the car. Then says he'll take the log book with him and fill it in once he has moved and let me know his new address. That was the kicker! I suggest that if he fills in the old address he could have it re-registered when he has moved. He also could put his new address, as he was moving on Friday he must have something from his solicitor with the new address and his name on it as proof. He was not interested in any of this but carries on looking at the car that by this time there is no way he is having. Makes an offer of 1K then 1.2K, I make excuses that the offer is too low to try to get rid of him. At no point did I even start the engine and he didn't ask for a test drive yet he still made an offer?!?!

The whole thing didn't ring true from start to finish I'm not entirely sure what he was really up to. Money laundering? Rack up a load of speeding fines and parking tickets in my name? May be he didn't have a liscence? Or simply a dodgy used car dealer. Either way the car is still on my drive way. I may have been wrong but I'd rather not chance it.