The top used car scams in the UK – and how to avoid them
Buying or selling a car should be a fun and stress-free experience, but every year, thousands of individuals in the UK fall victim to devious scams that deplete their coffers or leave them without a car. Fortunately, with a little bit of knowledge and awareness, you can defend yourself. Here are some popular UK vehicle scams and how to avoid them.
1. Mileage Trick (Clocking)
The basic fraud consists of setting back the odometer in order to make a car appear less used. A vehicle that appears to have low mileage typically sells for more, thus some dishonest merchants falsify the numbers. To be safe, check the service history and MOT documents for consistent mileage; if the steering wheel or pedals appear too worn for the given mileage, the offer is likely too good to be true.
At Full Car Checks, you can run an instant vehicle history check that provides MOT history, outstanding finance details, write-off records, mileage checks, and much more. Offering complete peace of mind, supported by a comprehensive data guarantee.
2. Cloned Cars
In this case, cloning refers to the process whereby the identity of an actual vehicle is transferred into a stolen one. In the process, the fraudsters provide fake plates, paperwork, and even registration numbers that appear real.
Also, the vehicle identification number should always be checked to see it is in accordance with the logbook and registration for its security. Do not put yourself in a situation where a seller cannot provide an original V5C or evades information.
3. Fake Online Directories
Another very common trap in these times, now that the sale of cars has become largely online, is fraudulent listings of cars. Scammers post ads for cars at low prices and then ask consumers for either a deposit or even full payment before they take a look at the car.
To protect yourself, do not pay for a car you have not seen. Use the reverse photo search option to find out if photos have been taken from another website. If the offer seems just too good to be true, it probably is.
4. Counterfeit MOT certificates
Some dealers make a vehicle appear roadworthy by using faked MOT documents. Forged certificates very often have small errors or some kind of unusual layout.
Safety first: Always check the MOT status on the official government website. This forms part of the web search that will show the real MOT history and raise any warning flags.
5. Overpayment Scams
This one targets the sellers, not the buyers. A "buyer" pays more than the asking price then asks for the difference back. You send the refund and later find out their original payment was fraudulent.
As with any transaction, for safety never refund money until you are positive that a payment has fully cleared in your bank. Generally speaking, it's a good idea to meet customers in person and exchange money via secure, trackable means.
6. Deposit Scams
Scammers pose as the seller and request a deposit to "hold" the vehicle from the buyer but never show up once the seller has been paid.
Safety: Never send deposits to people you have never met. Also, do not use methods of payment that are untraceable, like wire transfers or gift cards.
7. Scam Insurance or Warranty
Scammers will promise you less expensive car insurance, or extended warranties that are outright fraudulent.
First, determine whether the company has been allowed by the Financial Conduct Authority to be protected. Check for validity using contact information, documents, and customer reviews. Be alert and trust your intuition.
Car scams are deceitful, but the best defence is being aware of them. In that respect, do not send in the money until you have done your extensive investigation, inspection, and verification of everything. Meet in person, thoroughly check all documents, and, most importantly, walk away if something does not look legitimate. Take all required procedures to feel confident in buying or selling your next car without problem.
