Protecting Yourself from Used Car Scams
Although we’d all like to believe and trust everything we are told, there are people out there who use scams to make a quick buck at the expense of trusting people. Used car scams can come in many forms and it can be hard to work out if a deal is too good to be true. Here, we will look at some of the most common car scams and how you can avoid them.
How do car scams work?
Unfortunately, there is a whole range of used car scams at play, some of which could actually end up endangering people on the road. Some of the most common scams include:
Clocking
Clocking is the practice of manually decreasing the mileage on a car so it appears to have done fewer miles. Cars with lower mileage often sell for more because it indicates that they are in a better condition than other cars due to their comparably reduced time on the road.
You can avoid this scam by checking the MOT test history of the car on the DVSA website. You can then compare the figure on the MOT with what the seller is stating it is.
Cloning
A cloned car is one that has been stolen and given the identity of a similar car that has not been DVLA registered. If the car is eventually found, you may have to give it up in order for the theft investigation to begin, leaving you off the road and out of pocket. You can check to see if your car has been stolen by doing a vehicle check.
Virtual Vehicle Scams
A virtual vehicle scam is when a car is bought from a fake shipping website. Once a potential target has expressed interest in the car, that they are told is currently based overseas, they are sent to a fake website where your payment will be processed. The customer is told that the money will be released to the seller upon receipt of the vehicle, however, it is usually the case that your vehicle will not appear.
There are, of course, many more scams to be aware of. Some of these involve a car being stolen then resold or being sold with outstanding finance. It is well worth doing due diligence at every stage of the process in order to avoid being scammed.
Does the DVLA send texts?
The DVLA has recently warned drivers of a potential scam involving fake text messages. The messages, purporting to be from the DVLA, are asking people to click a link to confirm their payment details. The DVLA will never ask you to confirm details via text message or email, so if you do receive communication of this type, it is fraudulent.
What is dealership fraud?
Dealership fraud refers to any fraudulent behaviour conducted by the dealer any stage of the buying process. This could mean false advertising of a car, inflated pricing, misrepresentation of terms, or any unlawful practices that could leave you out of pocket and with a poorly maintained vehicle.
How can I avoid getting scammed for a car?
The main way to avoid being scammed is to have your wits about you and do your research. Unfortunately, scammers are well-versed in zeroing in on people they consider to be easy targets, so make sure you are not presenting yourself as such. This can be as simple as showcasing the knowledge of the vehicle you wish to buy, conducting thorough checks on the reputation of the dealer themselves, or by paying for a vehicle check to ensure it has a clean history in terms of repairs and finance.
There are many facets to consider, however, the best way to mitigate the risks is by having all your ducks in a row before you step onto the forecourt or enter your payment details. Be mindful and follow your gut - if it doesn’t feel right or you don’t trust the seller’s excuses, walk away.
Our products
Our car history check helps and protects you against purchasing a vehicle with a hidden history, such as a cancellation, scrapping, theft or pending car finance. Why not take a look at our sample vehicle report and see the level of information and data included in our premium car history checks.
Hidden stories?
1 in 4 cars has a hidden history. A vehicle check, also known as a vehicle registration check or a vehicle check report, reveals details about a car's history that the seller may not know or want to tell you.
Unpaid finances?
1 in 4 of the 38 million cars on the UK roads have finance outstanding, vehicle debt types are HP, PCP, PCH, rent or invoice. The finance company usually owns these vehicles, not the driver, they can take them back. Therefore, it is vital to check your financial status before purchasing.
Stolen?
You certainly don't want your next car to be listed as stolen! Buying a stolen car is a nightmare. You will most likely be stopped by the police and then totally out of pocket when they apprehend 'your' new car.
Called off?
It is essential to determine whether a car has been in a serious accident. If so, to be on the safe side you will need to know if any damage has been repaired. In addition, previous casualties usually cost much less than a damaged car without an accident.
Vouchers to save at My Car Check
Looking for promotional codes and vouchers to shop and save at My Car Check? Check out our website for the latest coupon codes! We update the available list on a daily basis to ensure that you get to save when shopping online. To get the best and latest promotional codes, browse to the top of this page.
We are dedicated to helping our loyal visitors get discounts from as many online shops in the UK as possible. We have listed over 20,000 online shops based in the UK on our website each with a wide range of vouchers and coupon codes. For example, have a look at Kaspersky Discount Code or SURF GYPSY Discount Code, they have daily new offers and voucher codes.
You will notice that there are vouchers for specific products and there are those for an assortment of products. Each of these vouchers can be used in the UK. We also offer promotional codes from brands and stores in China, Brazil, and Europe. This way, our loyal visitors will save when shopping internationally.
To find voucher codes on our website, we have selected the best voucher codes for My Car Check and placed them at the top of this page. As a result, we have saved time for our loyal visitors. So, if you are shopping at My Car Check, use coupon codes from our website. That way, you will save and enjoy your shopping experience.
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What is a My Car Check voucher code?
This is a unique code generated by a computer algorithm designed to offer you discounts on your next order. Also referred to as a promotional code, discount code or promo code, online stores from around the world use the alphanumeric code to offer discounts to their customers.
How can I use My Car Check discount code?
Our voucher codes can be used in two ways. In method one, click 'SHOW CODE', copy and paste it into your shopping cart. Method two is where you click on 'VIEW OFFER' and you should be directed to the webshop. Here, the discount will be applied immediately.
How to locate voucher codes at 1001vouchercodes.co.uk?
Start by looking for your favourite store using the search function at the top of this page. If you are in search of a specific brand or product, type the name in the search bar. You can use the following function 'CATEGORIES' or 'SHOPs A-Z.'
You can also copy the voucher from My Car Check by clicking at 'VIEW OFFER' or 'SHOW OFFER.'
If the voucher code is not showing, copy it by clicking 'COPY'. If the modal is not showing, click on the big blue button with the label 'VISIT My Car Check.'
At My Car Check, you can select one or more products and add them to your shopping cart. Once you are done shopping, take a close look at the shopping cart for the space made available for your promo code. Before checkout, enter the discount code in the space provided and it should be applied automatically.
Check to ensure the voucher code is added correctly. If the voucher is not valid, then it has expired. In addition, the voucher may be valid for another product. In such a case, get another voucher code that applies for that product. Don't forget to read the terms of the discount code.
If you are successful in applying the code, share our website, voucher codes, promotional codes and offers with family and friends so that they can save too.
FAQ
Are there any discount codes available for My Car Check?
At the moment there are codes available and 5 offers at My Car Check.
How much benefit can I get from My Car Check?
In the past 30 days, 3 visitors saved an average of at My Car Check. There are sometimes also free shipping promotions active.
How can I redeem a My Car Check discount code?
To use a My Car Check coupon, copy the code with the mouse and paste the code into the appropriate field during check out. Please note that discount coupons sometimes do not work with all orders. Sometimes you can also redeem the coupon at the physical store.
How many offers does My Car Check have on average?
There are codes available today and 5 offers at My Car Check. On average, My Car Check 5 has coupons and/or promotions online
Are the discounts valid for everything on My Car Check?
You can save money at My Car Check by using one of the current My Car Check coupons from 1001vouchercodes.co.uk. At the moment you can save a maximum of .
Until when are the discounts valid on My Car Check?
Each promotion code of My Car Check has an expiration date, the code can only be redeemed before this date. Some My Car Check offers do not have an expiration date, then the promo code is valid until My Car Check runs out of stock of this item.
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