I've put my 1997 E420 up for sale, but am concerned about letting someone take to have it checked out by 'their' mechanic. My main concern is having someone screw up the car while checking it out. What precautions or recommendations do you guys have on how to manage his process? How do you set up the inspection with prospective buyers?

Thanks for any help provided!

Real simple my friend: go with them. Don't be hesitant, tell the honest truth. During the process of "inspecting" someone is putting their hands on a vehicle that YOU have made an investment in, so simply go with them and oversee the process. Remember, these "inspectors" want to earn that person's business on "your" car, so being there to defend never hurts. It holds them accountable.

On another note, have compassuion with all types of people who want to buy your car. I don't know your financial situation, but remember that God loves us all and we are to bless others as we are blessed. If you bump into someone who may not have all of the money right then, allow someone to make monthly payments to you. As an individual who was trusted to do that myself, just be aware that there are trustworthy people out there and that God has placed you in a position to be a blessing to others and as you bless others, he will continue to bless you abundantly.

This doesn't mean go out and look for people who only want to make those type of payments, however if someone calls you about it, feel them out, meet them and frmo there, you can discern whether they're trustworthy or not.

Good luck w/ selling a vehicle that I'm sure is beautiful and well taken care of.

When you have a "qualified" buyer - tell the person that you will bring the car to their indy for them. Make it sound like you are doing them a favor as opposed to "I don't trust you"

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15 VW Passat TDI
00 E420
98 E300 DT
97 E420 Donor Car - NEED PARTS? PM ME!
97 S500
97 E300D
86 Holden Jackaroo Turbo D
86 300SDL
(o\|/o)

It's not a matter of trust, it's simply protecting his investment. This isn't loaning someone some gummy bears, this is a Mercedes-Benz.

They know the deal. No matter who they are, it's not their car until you've established some payment agreement with them and paperwork is signed on payment arrangements, or a check in full is received. Then they can do what they want with it.

Until that point, this is your vehicle, you have an interest in it and you can be there to oversee the "inspection." That's not trust, that's basic accountability. If they don't understand that, they don't need to be driving an E-Class.

it's not their car until you've established some payment agreement

I don't think the original question was about "toteing a note"
You are right - the seller needs to manage his risk. Even something as allowing a test drive can have some interesting outcomes in Tort if the proper insurance coverages are not in place by either the buyer or seller.

The main objective here is to sell the car - and the seller needs to play salesman - extending all courtesies. That is the only point I was trying to make e.g. In god we trust all others pay cash

.02

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BENZ THERE DONE THAThttp://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...c/progress.gif
15 VW Passat TDI
00 E420
98 E300 DT
97 E420 Donor Car - NEED PARTS? PM ME!
97 S500
97 E300D
86 Holden Jackaroo Turbo D
86 300SDL
(o\|/o)

Duke:

You mentioned something the other day about being a law student.

You are FAR too compassionate to be an attorney. Find another calling. You'll never make it.

Hey, he may turn out to be the world's first honest lawyer.

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2007 C 230 Sport.

first of all,from experience,there are people that will inspect your car and write up everything from wrong clamps to "suspect" whatever is bad just to make himself look like he knows your auto. if your not sure about the condition of your car have your mechanic inspect it,no holds barred.
secondly, there are people who will nickel and dime the price down to get the best deal-decide on a low price and hold to it.
and never,never and never accept payments-as long as you hold title you are legally responsible for it-if the car gets totaled you will have "zero"!!sell it and forget it.
never have possible buyers come to your house,meet them in your neighborhood with a friend.never more than 1 test driver with you,go to the inspection,inspectors must know they will be responsible for anything they break and no inspection should take longer than 2-3 hours for $150.
i don't like valet parking,let alone having a stranger take off to inspection.
DUKE1 you are young aren't you? when it comes to $$$$ the question is not if you can trust somebody,known or unknown,the question is can i afford to lose my investment.

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72 250 CE-5spd-gone
79 280 CE
82 300TD
83 300 CD
83 380 SEC

Gemini 2, the dealer I work for charges a flat fee of 2 hours to thoroughly inspect a car for a potential buyer. The inspection covers the entire vehicle. We use the same criteria as if we were inspecting the vehicle for Starmark certification. It includes a detailed written report, and includes a VMI to make certain that any applicable re-call campaigns have been done. I imagine many dealers offer this service. Why not ask your local dealer to do this for you and save yourself the trouble of handing your keys to someone you don't know? If the potential buyer passes on your car, you'll still have the report for next potential buyer. Good luck