How to sell your car without being scammed by a private buyer

Selling a car is completely different from buying one, something you’ll see now that you are selling your vehicle. For starters, there isn’t enough information available to help you during the selling process.

This can often lead to sellers being victims of dangerous scams. And, that’s not all you have to be aware of; you have to ensure your vehicle is in good condition, that you have advertised efficiently, be on the lookout for potential buyers and avoid time wasters.

This can be extremely overwhelming, especially if you have no prior knowledge of the selling process.

This is why we have compiled a list of questions that you need to ask a potential buyer. These questions can simplify your process and help you find a truthful buyer who will take good care of your vehicle.

So, to reduce the stress, read the article below before you put your vehicle on an online classified or have a sticker saying “used car for sale” on your car’s window.

Ask general questions about the buyer

When you meet a potential buyer, you need to build a relationship, and the only way to do that is by finding out their basic information. This may be obvious, but it still needs to be done.

Remember to be friendly when asking for personal questions like what their full name is, cell phone number or a number that you can reach them on, what type of vehicle they initially thought of buying and whether they have other vehicles they are interested in buying.

Lastly, ask where they heard about your vehicle, and whether they are buying it for themselves or for someone else. This will give you a brief idea of who the person is, and you can also do a background check on social media.

Doing a check on social media will help you to see if the person is who they say they are, and that they aren’t pretending to be someone else. Being friendly will also help build trust, ensuring a successful sale.

Find out when they want to see the vehicle

Both parties need to be in full agreement as to when they will meet up to see the vehicle. To ensure everyone feels at ease, offer to meet in a crowded place that both of you are familiar with. You can also have a friend or family member accompany the buyer and yourself for the meet up.

That way, you are creating a form of trust, while also ensuring that you are safe when you are meeting the prospective buyer in person. This time can also be scheduled for the test drive and inspection, depending on how much time you both have.

If you’re unable to, then you can have the viewing, for now, then you can set up a different date at a later stage for the test drive and inspection.

Ask what their deal-breakers are when purchasing a car

Before you start with the paperwork, you may want to find out what their deal-breakers are when it comes to buying a pre-owned vehicle. For example, their dealbreakers may be:

● The selling price is too high.

● They may not want to buy a vehicle with cigarette odour.

● They may want a vehicle with no issues and do not want to buy a car as is.

● Or a vehicle that has been in an accident.

It is important to know what their deal breakers are so that you do not waste each other’s time. Depending on how serious they are, you may be able to change or work on them to find a solution, but if they are above your means, then it is best to cut your loss now.

Because, even if you don’t ask about their deal-breakers or mention any issues, they might pick them up during an inspection, they or their mechanic might find an issue. This might derail the process, so the best way to sell a car is by knowing the buyers deal-breakers and negotiating from there.

Ask if they want to test drive the car

Of course, this goes without saying, but some sellers don’t agree or make up excuses when it comes to a test drive. Now, this is what can set your car apart from other pre-owned cars for sale in South Africa.

Ask the buyer when they wish to test drive the car. This will ensure you ease them of any doubts they may have had so that they can trust you.

Remember that a successful car purchase needs to have a good foundation of trust, and you need to be transparent with the buyer. Because if you aren’t, this will cause mistrust, which might hinder the chances of a good sale. Lastly, find out if they know how to drive and have a valid license before they drive the vehicle.

If they are still learning how to drive, they will need to bring a valid license along with them, to take the vehicle for a test drive. The last thing you need is to get into an accident while still trying to sell your car.

Ask if they are happy with the vehicle

It’s important to keep the buyer happy as it ensures that you sell your car ethically. So, once they have seen the vehicle, it’s gone for an inspection, and they have test driven the car, ask them how they feel about the car.

Find out if it is what they expected. Asking will help to clear up any misunderstandings, and ensure that your buyer is happy until the end of the buying process.

Find out how they are planning on buying the car

Now, of course, you have to ask them how they are planning on buying the car. Is it financed or did they save up for this hefty purchase?

This may seem like it is none of your business or too personal, but car dealerships also ask their buyers how they are purchasing the car so you should too.

This is to ensure that they have the means to pay the vehicle and that it is not a scam. Also, let them know that you only accept bank transfers and not cheque or cash, as it’s not safe to travel with large amounts of money on you.

If you do accept a cheque, make sure it is cleared in your account before you finalise the sale and give the buyer the vehicle.

Final thoughts

As stressful as it may be, there is a way of selling a car privately that ensures you do not get scammed.

If millions of people can sell their cars each year, then so can you? Just make sure you advertise it on a reliable and trustworthy online classified website, and you ask the buyer all the questions you need to know.

Do not be fearful or think that your questions will drive the buyer away, because if they are being honest and transparent then there shouldn’t be a problem.

If the buyer seems cagey when you ask the questions, then you may need to find another buyer.