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

Car insurance write-off categories explained: what are Cat N and Cat S cars?
Crashed car

Car insurance write-off categories explained: what are Cat N and Cat S cars?

If a car is written off by the insurance provider, it could be assigned Category A, B, S or N status, but what does this mean and how do write-off cla…
Tips & advice
27 Jun 2025
Your dream car colour could actually be a financial nightmare
Opinion - car colour cost

Your dream car colour could actually be a financial nightmare

Paul Barker ponders the price of paint, and how mica and metallic mark-ups are leaving car buyers in the shade over the true cost
Opinion
26 Jun 2025
Prepare to be ruthless when buying a new car
Opinion - ruthless car buying

Prepare to be ruthless when buying a new car

Shane Wilkinson explains why you mustn’t be afraid to say no to a salesperson when buying your next new or used car
Opinion
19 Jun 2025
Buying the right car can work wonders for your mental health
Opinion - mental wellbeing

Buying the right car can work wonders for your mental health

Paul Adam explains the role the car can play in helping to give you the ‘me time’ to maintain your wellbeing
Opinion
13 Jun 2025

Most Popular

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range
MG IM5 - Goodwood front

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range

The all-electric IM5 brings new technology and design to the MG line-up
News
10 Jul 2025
New MG Cyberster Black is a dark sign of things to come for the brand
Cyberster Black - front 3/4

New MG Cyberster Black is a dark sign of things to come for the brand

MG boss thinks special editions like this might be the ticket to keeping up demand for the electric sports car
News
10 Jul 2025
New Mazda CX-5 revealed with fresh looks, more space and far fewer buttons
Mazda CX-5 - front

New Mazda CX-5 revealed with fresh looks, more space and far fewer buttons

The Mazda CX-5 has been revolutionised to take on the Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson
News
10 Jul 2025