Selling A Car During Lockdown

[BarbaraFarge]

Hello, Does anyone have any advice on the best way, if at all, that I can sell my car during lockdown? The insurance renewal is due in two weeks and with the current situation I can't really afford to pay it. I've been thinking about getting rid of it for a while as I don't use it as much as I used to after I moved to an area with good public transport. It's quite an old car so I wouldn't expect to get much for it, I mainly just want to avoid paying extra bills at the moment.
I've never sold a car before so have no experience, but my first thought was a webuyanycar type place just to get a quick turn around. I assume I won't really get the best price but thought maybe it might be the easiest thing to go for with the social distancing etc that's going on at the moment?
Thank you for your help

[bhg481]

I once got a quote from them and, as you expect, it wasn't very good so I didn't accept it. As you say, though, it's a very convenient way to get rid of your car quickly and conveniently. You can get a quote from them online, so you've nothing to lose.

[ToraToraTora]

Can you just park it off road and SORN it, then you can sell it when all this is over. It'd be tough selling it at the moment.

[ToraToraTora]

WBAC will rip you off but at least it would be gone.

[lankeela]

If it is 'cheap and cheerful' put it on a local selling group, someone might be glad of a runaround in these difficult times. Easy enough to arrange viewing/selling without getting too close.

[New Judge]

Except that (unless they are in the motor trade) the person coming to see it would have to have left home with a "reasonable excuse". Whether going to view a car you might buy would be seen as a reasonable excuse is anybody's guess.

[Ellipsis]

> the person coming to see it would have to have left home with a "reasonable excuse"

If their one and only car is broken beyond repair, they probably need another car to get by - especially if they are a key worker.

[fiction-factory]

^ so perhaps meet them on a supermarket carpark. Would only get away with that though if only travelling less than maybe 15 miles

[New Judge]

//^ so perhaps meet them on a supermarket carpark. Would only get away with that though if only travelling less than maybe 15 miles//

What "reasonable excuse" would the seller have for leaving home?

[fiction-factory]

Because a supermarket car park is next to a supermarket. Both nip in and buy some toilet roll or milk.

[fiction-factory]

And have a shopping bag and list in case they or you're stopped on the way there. I was just trying to think outside the box

[Ellipsis]

A car is essential for some people, so if their current one is broken beyond repair then they have to get another one. Especially a key worker.

Could you get by without a car at present? I couldn't.

[BarbaraFarge]

Thank you for all the answers. I did wonder about SORN but I live fairly close to central London and currently pay for a parking permit to park on the street outside my flat so I don't really have anywhere I'd be able to park it off the street.
I'll get a quote on WBAC just to see what they say. And I'm in a couple of local facebook groups so maybe I'll see if there's anyone nearby who's in need

[shoota]

What is it and where are Barbara?
Son 2's car has died on him...

[New Judge]

//A car is essential for some people, so if their current one is broken beyond repair then they have to get another one. Especially a key worker.//

Indeed. But that does not apply to the seller. Of course the supermarket ruse will almost certainly work (as will going out with no excuse at all because very few people are caught doing so). I was simply examining the legalities.

//Could you get by without a car at present? I couldn't.//

I haven't driven my car since I returned from holiday on 23rd February. Nor has Mrs NJ. It hasn't moved from the garage.

[Ellipsis]

You should meet at the seller's house. But then it gets a bit tricky ... a test drive while safe distancing?

[BarbaraFarge]

//What is it and where are Barbara?// -it's a 2008 Corsa in North East London.

//You should meet at the seller's house. But then it gets a bit tricky ... a test drive while safe distancing?// - test drive hadn't even occurred to me, that would be very tricky. Maybe WBAC is the way to go after all

[Hopkirk]

I think all the car trading companies like WBAC have paused their work because of restrictions on non essential travel.