Used car – Pulpaddict

Top tips to help used car buyers avoid online scams

If you’ve ever browsed through used car ads on online marketplaces, you’ll know that many are too good to be true.

In 2023 Santander issued an urgent warning after £479,964 had been reported as lost to Facebook Marketplace car scams.

Criminals were – and still are – using stolen photos and videos of genuine vehicles, to advertise cars that they don’t own and aren’t theirs to sell.

To help second-hand car buyers navigate the numerous dangers, UK-based vehicle history checking platform PitStop has this essential advice for online car buyers.

Red flags to look out for when browsing second-hand car listings online

The picture is blurry or low resolution – Damage may be concealed, be especially wary of only one camera angle.
There is no image of the interior, mileage, or engine bay – Key parts of the car are missing from the listing likely means there are issues or it has been tampered with.
There are important missing details – Not showing the MOT, or ownership history, or service records can indicate that the seller is concealing issues.
The listing overuses phrases – “First to see will buy”, “runs well”, or “cheap for quick sale” probably means there are expensive or dangerous issues with the car.
The seller has poor grammar and spelling – Often reflects a lack of care on the seller’s behalf.
Photos show the car dirty – Dirt may be a cover-up for missing spots of paint on the car’s body.
The car is parked tightly against a wall or in dark lighting – The seller may be trying to conceal damage or an issue.
The price is too good to be true – A listing price well below market value could mean the car is stolen, damaged or doesn’t exist.
The seller says that they are “out of the country” – This is a common scam tactic to avoid in-person meetings or inspections.
There is pressure to pay a deposit quickly – Scammers often create a false sense of urgency to rush buyers into transferring money before they’ve had time to check the vehicle.

Top safety tips for online car buyers

Use reverse image search on listing photos – Scammers often steal images from other websites or listings.
Always check the reg number and MOT history – Use a free MOT checker to confirm the car’s mileage and test results.
Verify the seller’s profile – Look for signs of credibility on platforms like Facebook Marketplace (be cautious of accounts that are newly created and have limited activity).
Never send money without seeing the car in person – If a seller asks for a deposit before you’ve seen the vehicle, it’s likely to be a scam.
Meet in a safe location – Arrange to view and collect the car in a safe area.
Use secure payment methods – Avoid using cash for payment, as bank transfers with references can often offer buyer protection.
Report suspicious behaviour – Most online platforms allow you to report suspicious listings or messages.
Use a reliable vehicle checking service – Platforms like PitStop, offer full history reports that can help you to verify the car’s condition, service history, ownership changes and potential risks.

Tags car buyer car buying scam marketplace online marketplace pitstop scam scammers second-hand car secondhand car Used car used car buyer

Gareth is a versatile journalist, copywriter and digital editor who’s worked across the media in newspapers, magazines, TV, teletext, radio and online. After long stints at the BBC, GMTV and ITV, he now specialises in motoring.

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Toyota Aygo crowned ‘Used Car of the Year’

Home / Auto News / Toyota Aygo crowned ‘Used Car of the Year’

Gareth Herincx

29 mins ago
Auto News

Automotive data company cap hpi has announced the winners of its Used Car of the Year Awards for 2024.

The Toyota Aygo was chosen as the overall winner of the Used Car of the Year title by cap hpi’s leading team of automotive experts and analysts.

The stylish city car proved a hit with cap hpi’s judges. It was identified as economical and cheap to run, and also named the City Car of the Year.

Tesla’s Model 3 was voted Battery Electric Car of the Year, and in the popular SUV class, the Dacia Duster, Kia Sportage and Volvo XC90 were winners in the small, medium and large SUV categories, respectively.

Used Car of the Year Awards category winners:

Overall winner Used Car of the Year – Toyota Aygo
City Car of the Year – Toyota Aygo
Supermini of the Year – Dacia Sandero
Lower Medium Car of the Year – Vauxhall Astra
Upper Medium Car of the Year – BMW 3 Series
Executive Car of the Year – BMW 8 Series
MPV of the Year – Dacia Jogger
Small SUV of the Year – Dacia Duster
Medium SUV of the Year – Kia Sportage
Large SUV of the Year – Volvo XC90
Battery Electric Car of the Year – Tesla Model 3
Small Van of the Year – Volkswagen Caddy
Medium Van of the Year – Ford Transit Custom
Large Van of the Year – Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

“It has proven to be a vintage year for the cap hpi Used Car Awards,” said Derren Martin, director of valuations at cap hpi.

“The awards were informed by an extensive review of the data to select the best car in each category and an overall winner. We are pleased to announce the winners from our partners across the industry.”

Tags best used cars cap hpi secondhand car Toyota Aygo Used car

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Cost of living crisis is fuelling booming used car market

Gareth Herincx

2 days ago
Auto News

New research has highlighted the No 1 reason why more people choose used cars over factory-fresh models.

A poll commissioned by The Motor Ombudsman found that more than half of respondents (58%) said that their primary motivation would be to save money.

This is particularly pertinent at a time when consumer budgets remain under pressure, with further increases looming for household bills, such as council tax, broadband, water, and standing energy charges.

More than 7.2 million used cars changed hands in 2023, compared to 1.9 million new car registrations, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

The research also revealed that four in 10 respondents would prefer buying a car that had one or more previous owners to help avoid bearing the initial loss in value (ie depreciation), which is especially associated with buying a car from new.

Nearly a third (32%) said there is often a large choice of vehicles to select from across the country when shopping around, whilst just over a quarter of survey participants (26%) agreed that they would be able to test drive and buy cars that were for sale on forecourts.

When quizzed about some of the primary benefits of buying a used car from a retailer, rather than a private individual, via a social media advert for example, nearly half (48%) of respondents stated that going to an established trader provided them with the added reassurance that a car had undergone checks prior to going on sale.

Furthermore, 43% of survey participants wanted a safety net in case something went wrong with their car after buying it, as they would have more legal rights, and could use The Motor Ombudsman for assistance in resolving a dispute if the retailer was accredited.

Finally, the poll highlighted what type of car would top their used car wishlist for 2024. The overriding majority (46%) would buy a petrol model, with those in the 55 age bracket the most likely to do so (52%).

Around a quarter (26%) said a hybrid would be their preferred choice, followed by a diesel variant (17%), whilst one in 10 (10%) would look to get behind the wheel of an electric vehicle (EV).

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New drivers plan to spend £4,000 on their first car

Gareth Herincx

17 hours ago
Auto News

Newly qualified drivers plan on spending £4,124 on their first car, according to new research.

Pre-17 driving experts at Young Driver surveyed 500 of its customers, who will soon turn 17, to find out what their plans are when they pass their driving test.

Almost two thirds of the respondents (64%) said the new driver would have their own car when they passed their test – with 8% already having one lined up. One in three (29%) said the new driver would solely have use of their parent’s car to begin with. Only 3% would have no access to a vehicle.

When asked how much they were likely to spend on a new car, only 4% said they planned on forking out more than £10,000. Seven per cent were looking at cars under £1,000, with the average amount, from all the responses, being £4,124.

In 60% of cases the car would be bought by a parent or other family member, and for 40% it would be the driver themselves.

A car dealership was the most popular way of securing a new car, with 36% saying that is how they would purchase a vehicle, closely followed by 35% looking online. One in 10 (11%) plan to get a car from friends or family.

Of the new drivers who will be getting a car, the Young Driver research revealed that:

98% will get a used vehicle
84% will get a petrol
12% will get a diesel
4% will get an electric
92% will get a manual

Young Driver launched in 2009 and specialises in teaching 10-17 year olds how to drive, with the aim of creating a safer next generation of drivers.

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How to spot secondhand car scams

Gareth Herincx

3 days ago
Auto News

Buying a used car has never been so fraught with danger, so Metro Bank has come up with some essential advice.

September sees an influx of secondhand car scams as approximately a million drivers take possession of their new 73-plate cars and trade in their current vehicles, which means more used cars than normal hit the market.

Scammers capitalise on this seasonal influx in car sales by offering the best deal, when in reality, the vehicle is unlikely to even exist. These deals are often advertised via online auction sites such as eBay and Gumtree or via social media, where images are taken from genuine sellers to convince buyers that they have the vehicle.

“Cars are generally people’s second largest asset after their homes, so it’s vital to slow down and take your time when researching and purchasing to ensure you are not being scammed,” advises Metro Bank’s Head of Fraud & Investigations, Baz Thompson.

“Scammers know that used car sales rocket when the new licence plate comes out, so be extra cautious at this time of year.”

Sometimes criminals may use cloned websites with slight changes to the URL to trick drivers into thinking they are purchasing from a genuine website. For any driver looking to lease/finance a vehicle, there is also a risk with this method. Criminals can appear to be a be a leasing or finance company to encourage you to pay a deposit, which you will never receive a vehicle for.

How to spot secondhand car scams

Vehicles considerably cheaper than market average, prices are too good to be true – you can check the going market rate on www.webuyanycar.com or www.parkers.co.uk.
Seller requesting funds via bank transfer.
Website you’re getting the vehicle from has recently been launched.
Social media posts/ads.
Anyone contacting you out of the blue or approaching you with a ‘deal’.
Being told the vehicle will be shipped to you, and you can return if dissatisfied.
Being pressured in to making a quick decision.
When leasing/financing – there are no credit/affordability checks completed.
Offered no or extremely low deposit options.

How to protect yourself against car scammers

Request to see the vehicle in person if possible, if not possible arrange a video call and only send a deposit if you are absolutely certain it is genuine.
Ask for details about the car such as the vehicle identification number (VIN) and check this information matches the V5 document.
Always get a full vehicle history check for peace of mind (although this doesn’t always ensure the vehicle is being sold genuinely).
Check sellers/company’s independent reviews.
Our advice is to avoid making any payments ahead of seeing the car, but if you are certain the seller / dealer is genuine only make payments via secure online payment platforms and don’t come away from platform as there may be no protection off platform.
Offer to pay a small deposit once you have seen the car and the remaining balance on delivery.
Ensure any emails/contact you receive relating to the purchase/lease of a car are from the genuine merchant.
Look out for format and grammatical errors/changes in contact.

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