Skip advert
Advertisement

Car scams and frauds: a safety guide for buyers and sellers

Buying or selling a car? Here’s everything you need to know about staying safe

It’s a sad but very true fact that there are a number of scams out there which are carefully crafted to trick you into parting with your precious pounds. If you’re buying or selling a car, there are plenty of specific car scams and frauds that you need to be aware of. No need to worry, though, as we’re here to explain everything you need to know about car buying and selling scams, and the steps you can take to avoid becoming a victim.

Data from the Lloyds Banking Group shows that almost four-in-five (79 per cent) of car and van scams they see are advertised on social media. Liz Ziegler, the bank’s Fraud Prevention Director, told Auto Express: “The vast majority of these scams start on Facebook, where it’s far too easy for criminals to set up fake profiles and advertise items that simply don’t exist.”

Advertisement - Article continues below

“It’s time social media companies were held accountable for their lax approach to protecting consumers, given that the vast majority of fraud starts on their platforms,” Ziegler said. 

Before we get started, there’s a simple yet highly effective golden rule to follow whenever you’re buying or selling a car: if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be sure to keep this in mind no matter which side of a potential deal you find yourself on. 

Never be afraid to walk away from a transaction if something doesn’t feel right, either. Waiting a bit longer for the right car or buyer will always be much less painful than having your money, personal details or even the car itself stolen.

The scams which apply to car buyers and car sellers can differ, so we’ve included two separate in-depth guides; one for each side of the transaction. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Scammers can be frustratingly clever at times, and their trickery can sometimes be difficult to spot. However, reading our in-depth guide to car buying and selling scams will help you to recognise some of the better-known cons that are known to take place. If someone is viewing your car, make sure they are arriving in person and meet them at a safe and known location. If you make the sale, ensure that any payment is made via a secure method, such as a bank transfer, and transfer the ownership right there and then.

Did you know you can sell your car with Auto Express? Get the highest bid from our network of over 5,500 dealers and we'll do the rest. Click here to try Auto Express Sell My Car now...

Skip advert
Advertisement

Shane is responsible for looking after the day-to-day running of the Auto Express website and social media channels. Prior to joining Auto Express in 2021, he worked as a radio producer and presenter for outlets such as the BBC.

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best car discounts 2025 – big savings on list prices of today’s top new cars
Best car discounts

Best car discounts 2025 – big savings on list prices of today’s top new cars

Save on the official manufacturer’s list price with these tempting new car discounts.
Best cars & vans
29 Apr 2025
Pre-registered cars: buying guide
Pre-reg guide

Pre-registered cars: buying guide

We explore the pros and cons of picking a pre-reg car instead of buying a brand new car
Tips & advice
8 Apr 2025
Used car ads now allow buyers to be as picky as they please
Opinion - used car adverts

Used car ads now allow buyers to be as picky as they please

Richard Ingram reckons that if you want a used car in a very specific spec, you should seek out the right one– regardless of where it is
Opinion
27 Mar 2025
Find A Car
Auto Express Find a Car logo

Find A Car

Expert guidance and our best car deals – stay ahead with Auto Express.
26 Mar 2025

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price
BMW X7 - front

Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price

German firm’s flagship SUV could never be called cheap but it is exceptional value at £735 a month – making it our Deal of the Day for Sunday 27 April
News
27 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025