“What is the best way for a woman to sell a car online? I am a single woman and am selling my car on Craigslist. What do you do about someone taking a test drive? I don’t want to just hop in the car with anyone and go with them, but at the same time I don’t want to just hand over my keys whether they give me collateral or not! How do I handle? Thanks. My mom suggested taking their car keys for their car while they test drive mine. Don’t have male friends/relatives readily available in my area.”

A reader submitted the question above about how to sell a car online if you are a woman…

I know you said you don’t have a male dude readily available, but I really suggest you find someone to go with the buyer during the test drive. Maybe you could even offer a dude neighbor $25.00 to go with them during the test drive. Better yet, have them do that under the pretense of being your boyfriend or husband…but just for the test drive. Also, I would have all the paperwork ready (title, registration, bill of sale, etc.) with a pen when they come back on the test drive so you can handle everything right there at the curb so you won’t have to let them in your house. If your physical address isn’t on the paperwork then have them meet you at a house down the street so they won’t know which house you live in.

IF there is no way you can scare up a proxy dude, then you could have them leave you the keys to their car, their drivers license, and I might even check their cars registration to confirm that the vehicle they drove to your house is in fact their own vehicle.

I don’t want to make you paranoid, but I do understand your concern and you are wise in wondering the best way to sell a car online or any way a woman might sell a used car.