Buying guide · 6 min read

Buying a used car online: how to avoid scams

Most used cars are now found online, and so are most car scams. Fake adverts, deposit scams and cloned cars catch out careful buyers every week. A few simple rules keep you safe.

Written by the VehicleFaults Research Team · reviewed October 2026

1. Red flags in an advert

Price far below every similar car
Seller says they are abroad, in the forces or cannot meet
Pressure to pay a deposit before you have seen the car
Photos that look copied from another advert or show different number plates
Only wants to talk by text or email

2. Check the car is genuine

Run the registration through the free GOV.UK vehicle check and MOT history
Make sure the make, model, colour and engine match the advert
Check the VIN on the windscreen and door pillar matches the V5C logbook
Run a paid history check for finance, theft and write-off records

3. Paying safely

Never pay a deposit by bank transfer for a car you have not seen
Pay by bank transfer only once you are with the car and the seller
Paying part on a credit card can give extra protection when buying from a dealer
Be wary of escrow services suggested by the seller, many are fake

4. Buying online from a dealer

When you buy online from a dealer without seeing the car, you generally have a 14-day right to cancel under distance-selling rules. Keep every message and the advert screenshot in case of a dispute.

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Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to pay a deposit to hold a car?

Only to a genuine dealer you have checked, and preferably by card. Never send a deposit by bank transfer to a private seller you have not met.

How do I spot a cloned car?

Check the VIN on the car matches the logbook and history check, and that the details match the GOV.UK record. A cloned car often has a price that seems too good.