# Test drive etiquette when selling a used car?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-drive-etiquette-when-selling-a-used-car/1008780>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [October 14, 2024, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-drive-etiquette-when-selling-a-used-car/1008780 "2024-10-14T19:53:25Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\
**Post date:** [October 17, 2024, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-drive-etiquette-when-selling-a-used-car/1008780/21 "2024-10-17T21:36:27Z")

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> [@thorny\_locust](#):
>
> > [@solost](#):
> >
> > we’re talking a 2012 Ford Fusion we’re just hoping to get a few K return from.
> 
> A car that’s selling for a few K is going to interest people for whom $200 is a significant amount of money. They’re not going to spend it just to get a test drive.

I never endorsed or agreed with the non-refundable $200 deposit idea. I was expressing reluctance with the idea of letting a prospective buyer take the car to a mechanic.

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**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\
**Post date:** [October 17, 2024, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-drive-etiquette-when-selling-a-used-car/1008780/22 "2024-10-17T23:45:20Z")

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> [@solost](#):
>
> I never endorsed or agreed with the non-refundable $200 deposit idea.

OK, sorry. I lost track of who had said what.

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**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\
**Post date:** [October 23, 2024, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-drive-etiquette-when-selling-a-used-car/1008780/23 "2024-10-23T09:06:46Z")

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In the UK, the situation is complicated by the insurance rules. Even if the potential buyer is fully insured, they will only be covered for third-party damage in the seller’s car.

That said, you can tell a lot about a car just by looking:

The general state of the bodywork  
Damage to the upholstery is a big red flag  
Any warning lights  
Does everything work? - Lights, windows, power steering etc.  
Under the “hood” are the fluids topped up and any signs of an oil leak.

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**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\
**Post date:** [October 23, 2024, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-drive-etiquette-when-selling-a-used-car/1008780/24 "2024-10-23T15:36:46Z")

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> [@bob\_2](#):
>
> you can tell a lot about a car just by looking

Watch out for a nice new paint job. It’s probably covering lots of rust.

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