Used car scams are increasingly popular, and they’re becoming more and more sophisticated over time. According to PR Newswire, 77% of people have encountered a scam in the previous 12 months, and a huge portion of those are related to vehicles.
But when you’re buying a car, especially via a private sale, how can you keep yourself safe? It all comes down to knowing what checks you need to make and being able to spot common signs of scams as well as testing your gut instinct before parting with any money.
Verify the Sellers Identify
A legitimate seller won’t think twice about verifying who they are, be it a private seller or a dealership. You need basic details like their name, a phone number, and physical location so you can verify they are who they say they are. If the seller insists on only communicating via text or email and are not willing to talk on the phone or via video chat, then this is worth treating with caution as it’s a red flag that might indicate all is not above board.
Perform a quick check of the seller’s details once you have them for further peace of mind.
Cross-check the VIN
Every vehicle has a unique 17-character VIN, and a legitimate seller will provide it without pushback since it’s printed on the dashboard door frame and registration documents. Running the VIN through a vehicle history service shows any past accidents, ownership changes, and whether the title is salvage or clean, giving a fuller picture than the listing might give you alone.
A seller who is reluctant to share the VIN or provides one that doesn’t match the photos or listing details is something to take seriously. Resources like guides on how to spot a used car scam walk you through exactly these types of mismatches, and pressure tactics scammers commonly use, including not revealing the VIN or giving incorrect ones to trick buyers.
Confirm the Title is Clean
A clean title means the vehicle hasn’t been declared a total loss by an insurance company, while a salvage or rebuilt title indicates it was, which significantly affects both value and insurability. Asking to see the title directly, not just relying on the seller’s description of it, means you can avoid relying on assumptions or partial information. Some sellers try to wash a title through state hopping, registering a salvage vehicle in a state with looser rules to make it appear clean. This makes cross-referencing the VIN against a vehicle history report the most reliable way to confirm this rather than trusting the physical document alone.
Request a Pre-Purchase Inspection
An independent mechanic’s inspection, ideally arranged before any money changes hands, can be a great way to stop being scammed or ending up with a car that needs major repairs you’re responsible for once you buy it. A legitimate seller will have no issue accommodating a reasonable request if you have a mechanic who is willing to accompany you to view the vehicle or travel to its location to make the appropriate checks. If a seller refuses this outright, then it might be a sign to walk away.
