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How people buy used cars has changed a lot in recent years. Many sales take place almost completely online. There are many sites and apps available for buying used cars online. However, the problem with more freedom of movement to sell cars means there’s also an increased risk for scams. Let’s take a look at some tips to avoid getting scammed when you shop online for used cars.
Is It Too Good To Be True?
One of the biggest tipoffs for an online scam for used cars is if the car looks too good to be true. In this scenario, the price is amazing, the car looks like it’s in incredible condition, or it’s a rare vehicle with an extraordinarily cheap price. A common way that scammers present cars like this is to use stock photos. You might notice that only one or two exterior photos are available.
Scammers also want you to move quickly, so a car that looks too good to be true can motivate buyers to jump on it. The scammers often add to that pressure by saying things like they’re moving soon, they need to sell quickly for a relative, or they’re going overseas. They might even get bold and ask you to pay with gift cards.
One way to check for scams like this is to use reverse image search on the photos used. Scammers often post the same stock photos in different listings with different contact information. Reverse image search can quickly reveal this scam.
Always See It In Person
As mentioned above, scammers like to use fake photos and even fake safety reports. You might be tempted to buy a perfect vehicle sight unseen, but this is often a sure way to get scammed into buying used cars. Always insist on seeing the car in person and choose a safe, public, and well-lit spot to see the car and meet the seller.
When you do meet the seller, ask for ID and make sure that it matches the information on the vehicle’s title and registration documents. The vehicle might look perfect just sitting in a lot or in a driveway, but you won’t know that for sure until you drive it. Ask for maintenance records and try all the vehicle’s features.
Seeing the vehicle in person also allows you to check the VIN and make sure that it matches the vehicle’s documents. You should also check the VIN in multiple locations on the vehicle to make sure that they all match.
Check the History
If you’re shopping for used cars online, you might notice that many upfront listings have the VIN available. If a seller is honest, including the VIN in their listing should be automatic. If you don’t see a VIN in the listing, you should always ask the seller to provide one. That way, you can research the VIN and check into the car’s history. For some vehicles, you might even be able to get a build list that will tell you what color the car is and what its features are.
Checking into a car’s history can help you determine if the photo of the vehicle listed is a real vehicle or a stock photo. You also shouldn’t rely on a quick tour of the vehicle to indicate any problems. It’s always a good idea to take the vehicle to a mechanic for an independent inspection.
By following these simple guidelines, you can stay safe when shopping for used cars online.
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