Top Car Buying Scams (and How to Avoid Them)

When the Deal Looks Too Good

We’ve all seen them. The listings that make you blink twice.
A nearly new BMW for half the market price.
A private seller who says they’re "moving abroad tomorrow".
A car that looks immaculate in the photos but somehow can’t be viewed in person.

Car scams have become smarter. The scammers know exactly how to play on emotions, trust and urgency. The good news is that once you know their tricks, they’re much easier to spot.

Here are the top scams every UK buyer should know about and how to avoid them.

1. The Fake Online Listing

This is the most common scam. Someone posts a car on a popular website like AutoTrader, Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree. The car looks real, the price looks great, and the photos seem convincing. The seller will often say they’re working abroad or in the military and can "ship" the car once you pay a deposit.

Once you transfer the money, the seller disappears. No car. No refund.

How to avoid it:
Always view the car in person. If the seller won’t let you see it, walk away. Never pay deposits or full amounts via bank transfer to a stranger.

2. Clocking (Mileage Tampering)

Some sellers still roll back the mileage to make the car look newer and more valuable. It’s easier now with digital dashboards, and buyers often don’t realise until months later.

How to avoid it:
Check the recorded mileage on the GOV.UK MOT history page or through CheckVehicle.ai. You’ll see the mileage at every MOT test and can spot suspicious drops instantly.

3. Outstanding Finance

You find the perfect car, pay in full, and drive away happy. A few weeks later, you get a call from a finance company saying the car still has unpaid finance on it. Legally, that car still belongs to them, not you.

How to avoid it:
Always run a full vehicle history check before buying. CheckVehicle.ai can show if a car has outstanding finance, write-off records or is flagged as stolen.

4. The Deposit Disappearing Act

Scammers often ask for a "small holding deposit" to reserve a car. They’ll promise to hold it until you view the vehicle. When you try to arrange a visit, the car suddenly becomes "unavailable", and your deposit is never returned.

How to avoid it:
Never send money to someone you haven’t met or to hold a car you haven’t seen. If a seller pressures you to pay quickly, that’s a clear red flag.

5. The Fake Dealer or Cloned Website

Some scams involve entire fake dealership websites that look identical to real ones. They copy the branding, use stock images and post listings of cars that don’t exist. The scammers use email addresses that look nearly identical to the genuine dealer’s (for example, sales@autohouse-uk.com instead of sales@autohouseuk.com).

How to avoid it:
Search the dealer’s registered name on Companies House or check that their website matches official listings. Call the real company directly using a verified number.

6. "Too Good to Be True" Pricing

If a car is listed thousands below market value, something isn’t right. Either it has hidden damage, it’s stolen, or the seller is trying to grab your attention before pressuring you to send money fast.

How to avoid it:
Compare prices with other similar models on AutoTrader or Cazoo. If it seems unrealistically cheap, assume there’s a reason.

7. The Fake Vehicle Report

Some scammers send buyers a professional-looking "vehicle report" PDF to prove the car’s clean history. These reports are often fabricated and look legitimate enough to fool people.

How to avoid it:
Only trusted platforms like CheckVehicle.ai have a share link so you can see the real report online on the website instead of PDF file. Real services pull data directly from DVLA records and MOT databases, not random screenshots.

8. Deposit Then Disappear (Online Auctions)

Auction scams are increasingly common on social media or small classifieds. The "seller" will claim the car is at a warehouse or transport depot and ask for a small prepayment to secure it. After payment, they stop responding.

How to avoid it:
Avoid buying from private auctions that aren’t recognised. Use only trusted auction platforms or visit in person.

9. "My Friend Will Meet You" Trick

Some scammers pose as legitimate sellers but send a "friend" or "brother" to show you the car. That person often has no documents and limited knowledge of the car. It’s a sign that the real seller is hiding something.

How to avoid it:
Only buy from the registered keeper listed on the V5C logbook. Ask for photo ID to confirm it matches.

10. The Quick Sale Pressure

"Someone else is interested, so you need to decide now."
Scammers use urgency to rush your judgment. Once you feel pressured, you’re more likely to overlook missing documents, unverified history or even fake paperwork.

How to avoid it:
Take your time. A genuine seller won’t pressure you into transferring money immediately.

Final Thoughts

Buying a car should be exciting, not stressful. Most sellers are honest, but the few who aren’t can cause serious financial pain. Stay calm, double-check everything, and never let anyone rush you.

Start by checking your potential purchase on GOV.UK’s MOT history service and then get a full background check with CheckVehicle.ai. In a few clicks, you’ll know whether it’s a safe deal or one to walk away from.

Remember, no matter how good the offer sounds, there’s always another car waiting, and it won’t disappear with your money.