Private Property

Motoring

Private Property

Avoiding the types of buyers who can make life difficult if selling your car privately.

1. The Telephone Timewasters

You may find countless people phoning up asking endless questions – remember, buyers will be as wary about the process as sellers. The best way to avoid this is to make your listing as detailed as possible, adding lots of photos.

2. The Go-Slow No-Shower

Those looking to buy a car privately will doubtless have several options on the go at once, meaning you can be messed about because your prospective buyer has had his or her head turned elsewhere.

3. The Part-ex Stress

You may find your motor is attracting the interest of traders who would rather negotiate a part-exchange than an offer of straight cash.

4. The Arty Barterer

A huge worry for many vendors is agreeing a price over the phone only to find someone at your door pressuring you for a discount.

5. The Comeback Kings

In the event of something going wrong with the car in the immediate time after it’s bought, the buyer will also have your home address so is likely to come knocking if anything seems wrong in those weeks post-purchase.

6. Not-so-Smooth criminals

Ensure all monies have been transferred before handing over documentation, be wary over PayPal transactions (which can be refunded) and if accepting cash, check notes carefully.