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Selling your car , Safety and breakdowns · Uppdaterad 2026-10-18

Dealing with buyers and tyre kickers

Once your ad is online, the calls and messages begin. Some come from serious buyers, some from people only browsing, and a few from people who are trying to cheat you. Tyre kickers are the ones who want to look at everything but never intend to buy. A calm, organised approach saves your time and keeps you safe.

Screen enquiries first

Most of the work is done before anyone sees the car. Answer messages politely and briefly. A serious buyer asks specific questions about service history, mileage, ownership or faults. Be cautious about people who offer to buy without seeing it, ask nothing about the car, push for a very quick decision or send odd messages with long stories. A short phone call often tells you more than ten messages.

If your ad is complete, many questions are already answered. Our guide on writing a good ad helps with that. Do not repeat the same information to everyone; point them to the ad.

Arrange viewings sensibly

• Choose a safe, public, well-lit place, ideally in daytime. Meeting at your home is not required.
• Book fixed times and avoid having several buyers arrive together unless you are comfortable with it.
• Tell a family member or friend where you will be and when, or bring someone with you.
• Have the documents and keys ready, but do not hand over originals to be taken away.

If someone cancels or does not show up, it happens. Do not chase them; move on to the next enquiry.

The viewing

Let the buyer look at the car in peace and answer questions honestly. Point out known flaws before they find them. A buyer who has a mechanic friend or wants an independent check should be welcome; it is a good sign, not a threat. Our guide on how to inspect a used car shows what a careful buyer will check, so you can expect the same questions.

Test drives

Most serious buyers want a test drive, and refusing makes people suspicious. Protect yourself with a few simple rules:

• Check the driving licence before you hand over the keys, and note the name.
• Check that the buyer is permitted to drive and that your car is covered by insurance for that driver. Rules differ by country, so check with your insurer and the competent authority.
• Go with them in the passenger seat. Never let a stranger drive off alone.
• Agree the route and time in advance.
• Keep the keys, documents and any valuables with you, not left in the car.

Negotiation

Most buyers try to negotiate, and that is normal. Decide your lowest acceptable price before the first meeting and stick to it. If you set the price using the fair price tool and comparable cars, you can explain it calmly.

• Listen first. Ask what they think the car is worth and why.
• If they point out a real fault, a fair reduction is reasonable, especially when it matches a repair cost.
• If they only repeat that the price is too high, you do not need to argue. Say what you can do, and let them decide.
• Do not be pressured by small timing games such as I have cash today. Take your time.
• Keep your own limit private. Do not say how soon you must sell.

For the buyer's side of this conversation, see negotiating the price.

Recognising time wasters

Typical signs include repeated viewings with no decision, a stream of questions already answered in the ad, offers far below any reasonable price, and requests for extra photos or videos without any intent to proceed. You may politely say you will contact them if the car is still available later. You are not obliged to give anyone more time than you can afford.

Closing the sale safely

When you agree a price, put the terms in writing: names, car details, price, date, and the condition as agreed. Be careful with payment, as many scams target sellers at this stage. Read scams when selling a car before accepting any payment method. The handover and registration steps differ by country, so follow the rules of the competent authority. For the full process see selling your car step by step.

What to remember

• Screen enquiries by phone before you invite anyone.
• Meet in a safe public place and tell someone.
• Check the licence, ride along on test drives and keep your keys.
• Know your lowest price and stay calm in negotiation.
• Do not hand over the car or the papers until payment is safely confirmed.

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