Contents
In short
- Never pay a deposit for a car you haven't seen.
- Be wary of prices far below market value and sellers who can't meet.
- Cloned cars use the identity of a genuine car: check the VIN against the V5C.
- Fake escrow and delivery services are a classic online scam.
- View the car at the keeper's address and pay by bank transfer once you have the car and paperwork.
The most common scams
- Deposit scam: an attractive car, a seller “abroad” or “in the forces”, a deposit to “hold” the car. The car doesn't exist.
- Fake escrow or delivery: the seller suggests a third-party payment or shipping company. The website is fake.
- Cloned car: a stolen car carries the plates and identity of a similar genuine car. The VIN gives it away.
- Trader posing as a private seller: several cars for sale, a seller not on the V5C, a meeting in a car park. You lose your consumer rights.
- Hidden finance or write-off: see our guides on outstanding finance and Cat S and Cat N cars.
Warning signs in the ad
- A price far below similar cars.
- Stock photos or photos with another registration.
- A seller who only communicates by email or messages, never by phone.
- Pressure: “several buyers interested”, “must sell today”.
How to buy safely
- Check the MOT history with the registration before you travel. See our guide.
- View the car at the address on the V5C, in daylight.
- Match the VIN on the V5C, windscreen and chassis plate.
- Pay by bank transfer to the seller's own account once you have the car, the V5C and the keys.
- Get a written receipt with both names, the VIN, the mileage and the price.
Written by
The Carvizia team
Every day we analyse used car listings: engines, known faults, maintenance and market value. Our guides bring together what to check before you buy, without jargon.
About usFrequently asked questions
Is it safe to pay a deposit to hold a car?
Only after you've seen the car and the seller in person, and ideally only with a dealer who gives you a receipt.
What is a cloned car?
A car, often stolen, given the registration and identity of a genuine car of the same model. The VIN on the chassis won't match the V5C.
What should I do if I've been scammed?
Contact your bank immediately, report it to Action Fraud and to the listing site, and keep all messages and payment details.