Can someone tell me how to sell a car...

Post by **plumsmooth** » 06 Oct 2020, 17:15

I'm serious half the reason I didn't sell my Volvo last year was because I was scared. Do I let someone drive it?, what about my insurance registration etc...

I had too many questions...

Next thing you know it wouldn't even shift out of gear!

Now I realize how silly that is with this particular car. Worth 500 Bucks hopefully

I should still research it but if you let someone drive it should't it be insured and registered?

I started an article that suggested Facebook Marketplace was better than Craigslist because it is a lot more transparent etc...

Seems to make sense.

Then there are still local papers. A big sign in the window since I live on a traffic road.

And flyers on local bulletin boards which I probably won't do!

Post by **June** » 06 Oct 2020, 17:46

If it has a bad transmission selector a test drive is out anyway. If your insurance and or tag is not valid than no test drive at all!!! Depending on your state law you are liable if it hits the road. Anyone buying a 500 parts car should not need to drive it. Also you don't let it off your property until it has been transferred at the DMV or whatever your state calls it in your presence. Because if it stays in your name and the new owners drive it illegal and wreck it it may come back on you.

I had a family member in Arkansas we put in the nursing home in 2010 and her old Chrysler was sold to a salvage yard who then sold it and the new driver robbed a bank and had a fatal crash with it. It was a legal nightmare for years... We sold it to a salvage yard to be sure it stayed off the road to prevent any nightmare and to prevent questions during her asset spend down. I don't mean to be the voice of doom, just be sure it leaves your name before it leaves your property! Then you are safe 100% June

Post by **plumsmooth** » 06 Oct 2020, 17:48

Well I could take them for a ride in it right? BTW, you are allowed to be the Voice of doom with that story!
Shifter is working. Vehicle is insured and registered!

Post by **plumsmooth** » 06 Oct 2020, 17:53

P.S> Your response makes me feel like I wasn't asking dumb questions and or being overly paranoid about the process!

Post by **June** » 06 Oct 2020, 18:12

plumsmooth wrote: ↑06 Oct 2020, 17:53 P.S> Your response makes me feel like I wasn't asking dumb questions and or being overly paranoid about the process!

You're not! The only dumb question is the unasked question! Just be careful! June

Post by **June** » 06 Oct 2020, 18:31

plumsmooth wrote: ↑06 Oct 2020, 17:48 Well I could take them for a ride in it right? BTW, you are allowed to be the Voice of doom with that story!
Shifter is working. Vehicle is insured and registered!

Yes as long as everything is legal about the car. Just remember most accidents happen 1 mile from home and you still are liable for your cars passengers. liability doesn't depend on fault here in Florida for example. In 1998 my best friend of more than 10 years was in the passenger seat of my brand new S90. Neither of us had a scratch and the accident was the other drivers fault and yet she tried to sue me for 100K. I always paid her way and always drove us in my car. What saved me was she had let her car insurance lapse and kept her tags and driver's license which at the time in Florida prevented her from legally taking me to court. Her lawyer saw me as a easy payday until my lawyer dredged her lapsed insurance up. Only family and my dealership mechanic rides or drives any of my Volvo cars since. I either rarely ride with them, or simply meet out. It really depends on your state law and possibly circumstances. Again just be careful! June

Post by **plumsmooth** » 06 Oct 2020, 18:40

Well I just remembered my initial instinct was (lots (most) of things not done by phone anymore?) to call my local DMV and my Insurance Agent and figured between them I could iron out any questions and rules about this process!

Post by **kallekula** » 06 Oct 2020, 19:17

Always write a proper bill of sale with date, mileage, "sold as is", etc.

Post by **slickdizzy** » 07 Oct 2020, 07:32

At least in Wisconsin, it’s almost physically impossible to complete the DMV processes on the same day you are selling a car, and it is the responsibility of the buyer, not the seller; so you are protected from anything the buyer does after acquisition as long as you can provide a signed bill of sale made during the transaction.

I sold a truck to a guy who totaled and abandoned it a week later a few years back. He didn’t title it in his name so the police came knocking on my door. I gave them the signed copy of the bill of sale with his drivers license number, address, and signature on it; they said thanks and I never heard about it again.

That said I do feel like there’s a bit of excessive paranoia in this thread. A $500 parts car is one thing, but for a car that’s supposed to run and drive well, would you buy a car the seller told you you’re not allowed to drive? You have to have some degree of faith in the process and trust your gut when it comes to the buyer as well.

I normally either ride along and let the buyer drive, or hold the prospective buyer’s driver’s license while they go out for a spin. Gives them an incentive to both come back and not stray too far.

I do agree that unlicensed/uninsured vehicles should not be operated on public roads but I have allowed an “around the block” ride-along in the past.