What to do before someone test drives your car

Before letting a stranger take your car for a spin, make sure you’re doing everything possible to ensure your potential buyer is qualified and safe.

Make sure your car is clean

As they say, you never get a second chance at a first impression! Make sure your car is presentable before anyone gets in it. Take the time to wash it, vacuum it, and tidy up any loose items inside.

You should also make sure that all of your car's systems are in working order. This means checking the oil level, making sure there are no warning lights on the dashboard for things like an oil leak, and ensuring that the tyres are properly inflated.

Screen your potential buyers

When you're talking to a potential buyer on the phone or online, look out for red flags. If they're being evasive about their name, phone number, or address, take that as a warning sign. You should also be wary of anyone who seems overly eager or pushy about test driving the car.

Once you've screened the potential buyer and determined whether their interests seems legit, get to know them a little better. If you're meeting in person, have a conversation with them before getting into the car. Get an idea of who they are and what their interests are.

If everything seems to be going well and you're both comfortable, it's time to get ready for the test drive. But don’t let your guard down totally just yet!

Tag along for the test drive

One way to ensure that everything goes smoothly during the test drive is to tag along. This way you can answer any questions that the driver has along the way and keep a subtle eye on them.  If you feel uncomfortable at any point, don't hesitate to ask the driver to return to your place.

For AAMI Car Insurance policy holders, the insured driver or another listed driver, must be a passenger in the vehicle while it is being test-driven in order to be covered. 

Plan your route

It’s best to avoid any areas with heavy traffic or construction. You also want to make sure that you have a good mix of city and highway driving.

This will give the potential buyer a chance to see how your car performs in different conditions. It will also give you a chance to keep an eye on them to see how they handle your car.

Plan for any questions

Before you start the test drive, think about any questions the driver might have. They might want to know about the car's history, maintenance records, or features.

It's important to be honest with potential buyers and give them as much information as possible. This will help them decide whether or not to buy your car.

Ensure your insurance covers the other driver

Before you let anyone else drive your car, make sure your insurance will cover them in the event of an accident. You want to be covered for any damages that may occur during the test drive. Coverage options for unlisted drivers varies between insurance providers, so make sure you know exactly what you’re covered for before you hand over your keys.

If an unlisted driver is covered, there will usually be conditions on the age and driving experience of that driver. AAMI will include unlisted drivers in your cover. However, if they’re involved in an incident, additional increased excesses will apply if the driver is not:

• over the age of 25, or
• an experienced driver. An experienced driver is someone over the age 25 who has held the appropriate licence to drive your car for two or more consecutive years.

If everything checks out, then you're ready to hit the road! Just remember to stay calm and pay attention to both your car and the other driver.

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These are just a few things to keep in mind when you're selling your car. By taking the time to screen potential buyers and being prepared for the test drive, you can help make sure that everything goes smoothly. And most importantly, you can help protect yourself and your car and impress them with your attention to detail. Happy test driving!

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Read more:

• How to drive a manual car for beginners
• What you need to know about used car safety ratings
• What to do in a minor car accident

Insurance is issued by AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807 trading as AAMI. Read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before buying this insurance. The Target Market Determination is also available. This advice has been prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial situations or needs, so you should consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it.