I'm selling my 20v now, and was just wondering about letting people test-drive. I don't fancy letting anyone in it who hasn't got insurance and proof of it, but then very few people have that, and I for one wouldn't buy a car without driving it.

Is it just the norm (when buying privately) to just let people drive it with you in it, or do you drive it yourself, showing them what it can do. Am a bit wary of letting some seemingly nice person in my car without insurance, who then stacks it into a 40k merc and writes mine off. Presumably I'd be liable. Thoughts?

If you let them drive it without adequate proof of insurance I'd expect that you and he/she are breaking the law.
No great shakes if nothing happens but, as you say, stack it or kill someone and 'I was just letting them have a quick test drive your honour" won't get you very far.

Personally, I'd be happy with letting them take me for a drive as long as they were happy to perform manoeuvres if I asked.

yeah, I thought so. What I meant above was that not many people have insurance where they can drive any car and be fully comp.

looks like I'll be steaming up and down the back roads then.

Ah yes, I see what you mean. Well I guess you'd have to make a snap judgement at the time as to whether you trusted them on 3rd party insurance and hence let them drive.

Have a word with your insurance maybe, maybe they have some addition they could sell you to cover test drives or something.

I dont anymore, too many near misses. Im covered to allow people to drive, but there gonna cause me to claim any day now.

You drive them, do the usual, let go of steering, brake straight, floor it bla bla.

Just demonstrate. If the deal hangs on it im sure they will get cover.

Even on my level of cover when i go to buy i rarely drive, just sit and ask them what to do.

The garage I had bought my first 16VT from had let a customer test drive an M3 Evo they had for sale. He put it on it's roof

Yep i delivered a Ford KA to a dealer in Essex, customer rolled that. Brand spanker too.

Typical reg vardy job, bought a bladdered 51 reg to repair it and re-sell!

hmmmm, interesting. Think you're right that I should do the driving myself. Maybe I'll just take the wheel and drive like an absolute loon, stammering to myself "long tall sally....built for speed.....I'm a have me some fun.....I'm a have me some fun..." whilst piling into a roundabout at 70, switch the hazard warning lights on, then start screaming "eject!! eject!!!". That should do it.

I should stop watching so much TV.

Why don't you drive first to somewhere quiet, and on the way demonstrate what the car can do. Then swap over so the other person is driving somewhere with less traffic or chance of having an accident.

when i brought mine the guy gave the keys .Me and the bird jumped in and he stopped where he was.He said take it round the block.I trust you....
Came back in one peice and a smile on my face.
Personally i would drive the car t o say a industrial estate or car park locally.Showing what the car can do.Let them manouver round the car park or empty space.So they can feel for clutch and knock etc.Then you drive it back to the house.Also i think they may want the car more as it is only a little taster ,makes them think
"i wonder what its like when i do put ma foot down in it"