How to arrange for a fool-proof car viewing

By Stuart Johnston

Putting your car up for private sale is a task that requires lots of fore-thought to enable the experience to run smoothly. AutoTrader is pleased to offer the following pointers to enable you to negotiate some of the pitfalls that may lie in wait!

Paperwork

Ensure that all the paperwork for your car is in order. This includes the registration form and also the settlement form obtainable from  the finance company (if applicable). If the car is financed and there is still an outstanding amount owing, this settlement form will reflect the amount due.  If the car is paid off completely, the settlement form from the finance company will naturally also reflect this.

Also,  visit your local NATIS branch and obtain the necessary change-of-ownership documents in duplicate, that the buyer will need to sign.

Payment procedures

This should be the form of an electronic bank transfer, or cash. Do not agree to a payment by cheque.

In the respect of an electronic bank transfer into your account, do not accept a message on your cell phone as proof of payment. Visit your bank to check that the payment has in fact been made, before handing over the registration papers, which are  proof of ownership of the vehicle.

If there is a settlement fee involved, the payment can be made in two parts, to you for the balance of the purchase price, and to the finance house for the outstanding amount. This is common procedure. But make sure you have proof of both of these payments, before handing over keys or registration papers.

Preparation of the vehicle

It is in your interest to make your car as presentable as possible before prospective buyers view the vehicle. Make sure it is spotlessly clean, because this costs very little, other than time and effort.

Clean under the bonnet too. A clean engine speaks of a car that has been cared-for.

Having a valet done is well worth the money, as it can add thousands to your sale price.

Proof of service record is very valuable too, from a seller’s point of view. Have the documentation to prove it.

Make sure all the tyres are inflated and in top condition. We know of dealers who fit a brand new set of tyres to every car they sell, because new tyres make an excellent impression that the car has been cared for.

Repair any small faults that will not put you too much out of pocket. Replace any globes that need replacing. The replacement for a windscreen that has been cracked is well worth considering, as this is not very expensive.

Make sure the interior is spotless, and spray in a mild deodorant to give it a good clean fresh smell.

Arranging the viewing

When placing your advert with AutoTrader, it is best to give a cell-phone number and a general location, but not a specific address

Vet prospective buyers over the telephone. Ask them various pertinent questions, so you get a feel for them, ascertaining whether they are genuine buyers or not. Do this before you impart the address where the car is located  and arrange the viewing time.

Where should you do the viewing?

Some people recommend doing a viewing in a public place where there are lots of people around, such as a public parking lot at mid-day, as a good security measure. This prevents people from gaining easy access to your home or business address.  It is up to you to make this call.

Who should be at the viewing?

It is always wise to have a colleague or close adult relative present at the viewing.  This will enable your colleague to remain with the prospective buyer’s vehicle while you accompany that person on a test drive

The test drive

You are not obliged to give a prospective buyer a test drive in the car you are selling. In our view, it is better to take the buyer for a test drive, with you doing the driving! In the event that the prospective buyer insists, explain that you will be in the passenger seat for the test drive, and that this will be of short duration, of a few blocks.

Before allowing this person a test drive, ask for their identity document and driver’s license, and make a copy of these items before embarking on the test drive. Explain that any accident damage that should occur, or speeding fines, will be for the prospective buyer’s account. Prepare a document of this nature, and get the person to sign for this liability, before setting off on a test drive.

If the sale is a go: Never, ever…

If there is an agreement to buy your car, never, ever hand over the keys, or the registration documents, until the money is in your account, verified by making a personal check at your bank (and not merely accepting an SMS notification). There are all sorts of electronic scams these days, so check with your bank at the enquiries department, to verify  your bank balance, which should reflect the payment.  See the opening segment of this article for advice on settling outstanding finance amounts with the bank or finance house.

Once all payments  have been settled to your satisfaction...

Before you hand over the keys and  the paperwork, make sure you include copies of the change of ownership forms.

Get a signed change of ownership form from the buyer, and  personally lodge it with your nearest  NATIS authority as soon as possible. The buyer then has 21 days to register the car in his or her name, and this includes securing a roadworthy certificate. The buyer may register the car in his or her name and  submit the car for roadworthy at a later stage, but the licence taken out in your name is only valid for 21 days after you have notified the NATIS authority that a change of ownership has taken place.

Should you organise a roadworthy test for your car?

If you want the deal to go smoothly with no comebacks, it is often worth it to secure a roadworthy, valid for 21 days, before putting the car up for sale. Even if this expires before you sell it, it holds value to prospective buyers that the car is in good condition. DEKRA does a multi-point check on a car that can also include a roadworthy test.

Make sure you have the buyer’s personal details, such as ID Document, driver’s license, cell-phone number, home and business telephone numbers, street address and  e-mail address.  Unforeseen snags can crop up in the future, and you may need to get hold of your car’s new custodian.