Top tips to help used car buyers avoid online scams – Automotive Blog

If you happen to’ve ever browsed by used automotive advertisements on on-line marketplaces, you’ll know that many are too good to be true.

In 2023 Santander issued an pressing warning after £479,964 had been reported as misplaced to Fb Market automotive scams.

Criminals have been – and nonetheless are – utilizing stolen pictures and movies of real automobiles, to promote automobiles that they don’t personal and aren’t theirs to promote.

To assist second-hand automotive patrons navigate the quite a few risks, UK-based car historical past checking platform PitStop has this important recommendation for on-line automotive patrons.

Pink flags to look out for when looking second-hand automotive listings on-line

• The image is blurry or low decision – Injury could also be hid, be particularly cautious of just one digicam angle.
• There is no such thing as a picture of the inside, mileage, or engine bay – Key elements of the automotive are lacking from the itemizing probably means there are points or it has been tampered with.
• There are essential lacking particulars – Not displaying the MOT, or possession historical past, or service information can point out that the vendor is concealing points.
• The itemizing overuses phrases – “First to see will purchase”, “runs properly”, or “low cost for fast sale” most likely means there are costly or harmful points with the automotive.
• The vendor has poor grammar and spelling – Usually displays a scarcity of care on the vendor’s behalf.
• Photographs present the automotive soiled – Dust could also be a cover-up for lacking spots of paint on the automotive’s physique.
• The automotive is parked tightly towards a wall or in darkish lighting – The vendor could also be attempting to hide injury or a difficulty.
• The value is just too good to be true – An inventory value properly under market worth might imply the automotive is stolen, broken or doesn’t exist.
• The vendor says that they’re “in a foreign country” – It is a widespread rip-off tactic to keep away from in-person conferences or inspections.
• There’s strain to pay a deposit rapidly – Scammers typically create a false sense of urgency to hurry patrons into transferring cash earlier than they’ve had time to verify the car.

Prime security suggestions for on-line automotive patrons

• Use reverse picture search on itemizing pictures – Scammers typically steal photos from different web sites or listings.
• All the time verify the reg quantity and MOT historical past – Use a free MOT checker to substantiate the automotive’s mileage and check outcomes.
• Confirm the vendor’s profile – Search for indicators of credibility on platforms like Fb Market (be cautious of accounts which might be newly created and have restricted exercise).
• By no means ship cash with out seeing the automotive in particular person – If a vendor asks for a deposit earlier than you’ve seen the car, it’s prone to be a rip-off.
• Meet in a secure location – Organize to view and accumulate the automotive in a secure space.
• Use safe fee strategies – Keep away from utilizing money for fee, as financial institution transfers with references can typically supply purchaser safety.
• Report suspicious behaviour – Most on-line platforms help you report suspicious listings or messages.
• Use a dependable car checking service – Platforms like PitStop, supply full historical past reviews that may make it easier to to confirm the automotive’s situation, service historical past, possession adjustments and potential dangers.