Selling Your Car Safely During The Pandemic

The Coronavirus pandemic has had all sorts of knock on effects on every aspect of life. From socializing to education, industry to healthcare, almost nothing is the same as it was this time last year.

One such unexpected effect – and not necessarily a bad one for sellers – is the mini boom is used car sales. People who may have once used buses, trains and cabs for commuting and getting around for essential journeys may now be seeking forms of transport in which they can remain safely distanced from the rest of the public. 

Many car dealerships have had to close down, perhaps due to local lockdown restrictions, a lack of staff or a lack of customers. People are keeping a very close eye on their finances and while they may have felt confident in spending tens of thousands of dollars previously on a brand new vehicle, job uncertainty and stretched finances now make them more hesitant. 

However, this is excellent news for those who are trying to sell a car privately. There is a much bigger market for used cars at the moment. However, as always, keeping both yourself and buyers is of paramount importance. Here, we look at how to sell your car safely during the pandemic.

Look at an instant offer site

If you have been sitting there asking yourself ‘what is the safest way to sell my car?’, you might want to consider looking at an instant offer site. These work by, as the name suggests, offering you an instant offer on your car after you have provided details on the make, model, year and condition of the car. There is usually very little physical interaction with anyone, making it one of the safest ways to sell your car during the pandemic.

Confirm with your buyer that they have no symptoms of COVID-19

Of course, this involves an element of trust, and also cannot be guaranteed due to the often asymptomatic nature of the disease, but before you agree to meet a viewer or a buyer, confirm with them that they are not knowingly infected with the disease or showing symptoms.

Wear a mask 

We now know that wearing a mask can prevent some of the transmission of the disease, so whether you are inside or outside, wear a mask at all times while around your buyer.

Sanitize

Santizer is everyone’s best friend. Sanitize your hands if you shake hands or exchange money or have any physical contact, sanitize the steering wheel, gear stick, handbrake and door handles before you touch them again and do not be offended if your buyer sanitizes everything as well – they are protecting themselves.

Talk about test drives

If you are selling to an individual rather than an instant offer site, they are more than likely going to want to give it a test drive. The last thing you want to do (or are allowed to do!) in a pandemic is get into a car and sit close to a stranger, but at the same time, you may feel uncomfortable about allowing them to get in and drive off in your car. Ask for some sort of ‘security deposit’ before they take it for a test spin – their bank card, waller or the key for their own car as security.