Advice
Meeting a potential buyer
There’s no need to be nervous when meeting a potential buyer for your car. Just follow our top tips on making appointments, arranging test drives and more.
Words by: Andrew Woodhouse
Published on 25 March 2019 | 0 min read
How do you deal with buyers?
Reaching agreement about the price with a buyer is perhaps the most exciting part of selling a car.
The most important thing is to stay in control throughout the process, and you can do that by following these tips:
The most important thing is to stay in control throughout the process, and you can do that by following these tips:
- When you’re setting up a meeting, get the buyer’s contact details. Call them back to confirm details and to check they’re genuine.
- Ask them to bring some proof of identity with them - perhaps their driving licence, as they'll need this if they want to test drive the car.
- Always meet potential buyers at your home. If it makes you more comfortable, have someone with you.
- When your buyer arrives, check their proof of identity and, if they come by car, take a note of its details.
- Allow them plenty of time to look over your car.
- If they want to set up a third-party inspection, let them.
Making an appointment
When arranging to meet a potential buyer, it’s important to be flexible in your timings to suit them, but don’t be pressured into a time that’s inconvenient for you.
When they arrive, give them time to explore the car. Try not to hover around them or pressure them. Don’t act like you’re too desperate to sell the car either. Buyers will appreciate it if they can make an informed decision in one go, so make sure you have all the necessary documents to hand and let them look under the bonnet if they want. Just don’t leave the keys with them.
When they arrive, give them time to explore the car. Try not to hover around them or pressure them. Don’t act like you’re too desperate to sell the car either. Buyers will appreciate it if they can make an informed decision in one go, so make sure you have all the necessary documents to hand and let them look under the bonnet if they want. Just don’t leave the keys with them.
How should you let people test drive your car?
Caution is the watchword before you let anyone get behind the wheel of your car.
Before you let anyone loose in your car, you must make sure of two things:
Before you let anyone loose in your car, you must make sure of two things:
- First, make sure they are who they say they are – and that they can drive – by checking their driving licence and taking a note of their details.
- Secondly, make sure they’re insured to drive your car. If they’re not covered by your insurance, insist on seeing proof that their insurance does cover them.