Tips to Handle Buyers Requesting Test Drives: Best Practices for Sellers

One of the biggest hassles when it comes to selling your old car is arranging for test drives for prospective buyers. Even though requests for test drives are great signs as it shows that buyers are interested in your car listing, you just cannot hand over your car keys to a stranger. You need to handle the requests for test drives with care, whether you are selling directly to individuals or through used car dealers. This blog aims to help you manage the test ride requests smoothly and safely.

Essential Tips for Managing Test Drive Requests from Used Car Buyers

Here are some essential tips for handling test drive requests from potential buyers for your old car:

1. Filter Serious Buyers from Casual Browsers

Before agreeing to a test drive, it is advisable to have a short conversation with the potential buyer. Ask them basic questions such as what they’re looking for, how soon they plan to buy, and whether they have a valid driving licence. It’ll help you filter out casual browsers from serious buyers.

If something doesn’t feel right, such as the buyer avoiding sharing their license, insisting on going alone, or behaving oddly, casually decline their request for the test drive. Your safety comes first.

2. Always Check Their Driving Licence

It is an important step to ensure the potential buyer has a valid driving licence. You must never skip this step. Politely ask to see the buyer’s original driving licence before letting them drive your car. Not only does this confirm their identity, but it also ensures they’re legally allowed to take your vehicle out on the road.

3. Choose a Safe Test Drive Route

When you are ready for a test drive, you should choose a safe route with low traffic density. This is because during test drives, buyers are distracted while asking various questions about your car, how you maintain it, etc, leading to greater chances of bruising or scratches.

Also, from a safety point of view, you should not allow the buyer to dictate the route. A short route that has a mix of city traffic, a bit of open road, and a few speed bumps to test the suspension makes for a great test drive route. A 10 to 15-minute test drive is usually enough.

4. Be Prepared for Questions

Since humans are social animals, it is obvious that potential buyers who are genuinely interested in your car will ask questions. These questions will usually be about the fuel efficiency, ride quality, service history, wheel alignment and tyre rotation and more.

It's always better to be honest while answering such questions. If there’s a minor issue in the car, mention it upfront. You should be transparent while answering, because honest sellers earn more trust and often close the deal faster.

5. Insurance Considerations

In rare cases, unfortunate incidents can happen during the test drives. Since the car is still legally registered under your name, any damages that occur during test drives would have to be borne by you. This is where it is extremely essential to have an insurance policy in place, helping you mitigate any costs directly from your pockets.

Final Thoughts

All buyers want to experience a used car before paying for it. Therefore, test drives are a natural part of the process when you want to sell your car. However, this process doesn’t have to be stressful. At the end, you have control over who you allow to drive your vehicle before selling.