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.