Second-hand cars
You may be able to buy a vehicle at a cheaper price by buying it second hand.
When buying a second-hand vehicle, the person or company selling the vehicle should tell you before you buy if there are known faults or outstanding issues that may lead to additional costs.
Most second-hand dealerships are legitimate. However, you should take steps to protect yourself from potential scams when buying a second-hand vehicle.
Common second-hand car scams
Scams involving second-hand vehicles can include:
- advertising a vehicle as being in good condition without disclosing serious faults that could make it unsafe or undrivable
- giving a false business address or collection point, making it harder for you to reject the vehicle if faults are found
- pressuring you to pay a non-refundable deposit by saying there are other interested buyers
- promising over the phone that a deposit is refundable when this may not be the case
- tampering with the vehicle, such as changing the mileage, to make it appear more desirable
Buying from a business or private seller
You may have some consumer protection when buying from a verified business. You will have less protection when buying from a private individual.
This does not mean every seller or second-hand car dealer is a scammer, but there are steps you can take to reduce the risk.
Before you buy
- Never send money for a vehicle you have not seen
- View the condition of the vehicle before paying a deposit or buying it
- Ask whether there are any known faults with the vehicle
- Ask to take the car for a test drive where appropriate
- Be cautious if a seller pressures you to make a quick decision
- Avoid paying in cash where possible, as it can be difficult to recover money if something goes wrong
- Use GOV.UK to check MOT history
- Check or obtain the vehicle logbook (V5C)
- Svoid moving conversations to third-party apps if this makes the seller harder to trace