Selling a car privately should be straightforward — you list it online, answer some questions, arrange viewings, and hopefully agree a fair price.
Sadly, the reality is that scammers are out there waiting to take advantage of sellers, especially on popular platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree. Every time we’ve tried to sell a family car, we’ve received at least one scam message within minutes.
We’ve been selling new and used cars for years at MPH Vehicle Solutions, so we’ve learned to spot the warning signs quickly. But many private sellers don’t have that experience — which is why I’m sharing two real scam examples from our recent attempt to sell our Ford Fiesta.
If this stops just one person from getting ripped off, it’s worth it.
Scam 1 – The Fake Vehicle Inspection
The Set-Up:
Within minutes of listing the Fiesta, a WhatsApp message arrived from “Erik” (not sure what the “” is supposed to mean — maybe it’s part of the act).
It started like any normal enquiry:
~Erik: “Hi Tim, can you tell me about your experience owning it? Any issues?”
I explained the car’s history, recent cambelt change, service, and that it would come with a new MOT.
Then came the hook:
~Erik: “That sounds good. I’m in London. Can you arrange an inspection from inspectride.co.uk before I travel?”
Here’s the red flag — they wanted me to pay for a £39.99 report from a completely unknown site.
The excuse? They’d “been ripped off before” and needed this “updated check” that supposedly gave more detail than an HPI report.
Why It’s a Scam:
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The site is fake — your £39.99 is gone and they now have your card details.
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A genuine buyer arranges and pays for their own inspection.
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The only trusted vehicle history check in the UK is from companies like HPI or Experian, which show finance status, write-offs, mileage issues, and plate changes.
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MOT history and insurance status can be checked for free on the government website.
Scam 2 – The PayPal Overpayment Trap
The Set-Up:
Another enquiry came from “Anil”:
Anil: “I’m buying urgently for my daughter’s birthday. Can I pay via PayPal?”
He then claimed he was in a wheelchair, couldn’t visit, and would send a transport driver to collect the car after payment.
Here’s the twist — he wanted my PayPal details, name, and address so he could “send the funds immediately” and have me remove the advert.
Why It’s a Scam:
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PayPal has a buyer protection system — the scammer can claim they never received the car or that it wasn’t as described. PayPal often sides with the buyer in disputes, meaning your money is reversed after they’ve taken the car.
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Once the car and logbook are gone, there’s no way to recover your loss.
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A real buyer will come and view the vehicle or send a reputable dealer/inspector — not demand payment details before seeing it.
How to Protect Yourself When Selling a Car Privately
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Only accept bank transfer or cash — and confirm cleared funds before handing over keys or paperwork.
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Never pay for a “special” report requested by a buyer.
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Use official checks only — HPI, Experian, or the gov.uk MOT history tool.
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Meet in person and let the buyer inspect the vehicle themselves.
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Trust your instincts — if the conversation feels rushed, too eager, or just “off,” walk away.
Scammers rely on urgency, trust, and unfamiliar payment methods to catch you off guard. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Take your time, stick to secure payment methods, and remember — the right buyer will never pressure you into skipping the normal selling process.