RAY MASSEY: How to be a confident car buyer – or seller

26/07/2024

Navigating the motoring world can be a rewarding experience with the right knowledge.

However, it is important to remain vigilant against scams, with consumer champion What Car? reporting a rise in cases in the second-hand car market.

We speak to experts including What Car?, Which? and the motor industry’s Car Dealer magazine on how to keep scammers at bay.

‘Cut & shut’

A ‘cut & shut’ car is where parts are taken from written-off crash vehicles of the same make and model and welded together to make a single, functioning motor.

So check that the vehicle’s panels line up properly without irregularities such as bumps, and that the paintwork is uniform all over and matches. Also, run a small magnet over suspect areas to check it remains metal: if the magnet fails to stick, this could indicate the use of filler, meaning the car has been in a collision.

Beware of the scammers: Motoring fraudsters are on the rise

Car cloning

This scam can be costly and time-consuming. I know — I have been a victim myself. Fraudsters steal your car’s identity by putting the number plate of your car onto a similar model and colour of car, which may even be stolen. When automatic number plate recognition cameras film their indiscretions, your details flag up to the authorities so the fine drops through your letterbox, not theirs. Victims of this may require legal advice.

Fake car adverts

Beware of fake, second-hand car adverts, especially on social media and car-selling sites. Consumer champion Which? says vehicle fraud is soaring, with victims losing an average £998.

Fraudsters place fake adverts on legitimate trading sites such as Facebook Marketplace at prices far below the market value to hook in buyers. But once you’ve paid a deposit, or even the asking price, you never hear from them again.

Tell-tale signs include being asked to pay for a vehicle outside of the selling platform.

Fake car buyers

Selling your own car can be full of pitfalls, too. If you are contacted by a buyer offering more than the asking price, especially if from abroad, think very carefully before accepting their offer.

What Car? warns: ‘Scammers may offer to pay by banker’s draft, which can be forged, leaving you thousands of pounds out of pocket. Once they have your car, they disappear without paying.’

In short, never hand over your car or any paperwork until you have been paid the agreed price.

‘Crash for Cash’

This scam could cause your premium to soar and your no claims bonus to disappear. Criminals deliberately cause an accident, often by crashing their vehicle into yours, in order to make a fraudulent insurance claim.

What Car? advises: ‘Act as you would in a real accident, gathering the other party’s details, taking photos and getting statements from any witnesses. Then report the incident to the police and your insurer, stating that you think it was a staged accident.’

A good read

Three Million Miles In A Volvo: A delightful compendium of 50 stories

If you’re looking for some light reading over the summer, I recommend Three Million Miles In A Volvo And Other Curious Car Stories (thehistorypress.co.uk), by Giles Chapman.

It is a delightful compendium of 50 stories, such as racing driver Jack Warner in his pre-Dixon Of Dock Green TV copper days; the stunt driver behind The Sweeney police drama; and Thunderbirds creator Gerry Anderson’s love of Rolls-Royces, especially Lady Penelope’s pink one.

The book takes its title from the exploits of American science teacher Irv Gordon, who did indeed drive more than three million miles in his Volvo P1800S between 1966 and his death in 2018.

Asked the secret of his Volvo’s longevity, Gordon said: ‘I think Volvo simply over-engineered it … I just followed the owner’s manual.’