Do you know how to spot a deceptive car listing?
Valerie Raskovic
Buying a used car online has become a very common practice, with millions of shoppers turning to popular online used car sale platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and eBay to shop for their next preowned car. These platforms make it easy to price shop and browse thousands of vehicles from private sellers and dealers locally. While online car shopping can offer a lot of convenience and access to great deals, it can also expose unsuspecting car shoppers to scammers and dishonest sellers who post misleading or fraudulent listings.
The good news is that it is possible to identify potential fraudulent or dishonest listings without ever leaving the comfort of your home or workplace. By identifying the key warning signs, you can spot potential issues and avoid making a costly mistake.
Most common warning signs to look out for:
- Deceptive images
Some sellers may omit images that display damage from the listing. It is important to review each image carefully. If a vehicle listing includes several photos but is missing a logical angle, that can be a warning sign. For example, if the listing shows the front, rear, and left side of the car but not the right side, it’s worth asking why that view wasn’t included. Request additional photos of the missing areas and pay attention to the seller’s response. Missing images can sometimes indicate the seller is trying to hide cosmetic damage, rust, or previous repairs.
Additionally, look for any inconsistencies in the images. For example, a while back I was shopping for a 2000 BMW 540i with a sports package and while most of the interior pictures displayed a proper sports package interior with the sport seats and steering wheel, which are unique to the “M Sport” package, there was one image that featured a steering wheel that did not match the sports package steering wheel. This type of attention to detail will require that you become very familiar with the year, make, model and trim options of the vehicle you intend to purchase.
Some deceptive listings use very few photos or images copied from other listings online. It is important to look for images that appear professionally staged but don’t match the seller’s story. You can sometimes verify suspicious images by performing a reverse image search.
- The Price Seems Too Good to Be True
One of the most common red flags is an unusually low price. Scammers often list vehicles thousands of dollars below market value to attract attention quickly.
As with the other point on this list, this will require some research in order to determine a fair market price for the vehicle you intend to purchase. It is important that you can identify when the price is unrealistically lower than similar vehicles with the same year, mileage, and condition. In many cases, these listings are used to lure buyers into sending deposits on cars that do not even exist or to steal personal information or even to lure unsuspecting buyers to reveal locations where they can be robbed. Bottom line, if the price is too good to be true, it usually is.
- Listings with missing VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
A Vehicle Identification number is amongst the most valuable bits of information for any used car shopper. The VIN essentially acts as the vehicle’s serial number and is used to track it throughout its lifetime. Used car buyers can use the VIN to identify potential issues such as past accidents, liens, title status, total loss events, salvage history and more… A legitimate seller should have no issue sharing the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). If the seller refuses to provide it or claims they “don’t have it available,” this is a major warning sign and potentially a deal killer.
It is vital that you run a vehicle history report using the VIN prior to committing to the purchase. Keep in mind the car could be hiding some deep dark secrets behind that shiny paint and one of the best ways to uncover those secrets is to use a vehicle history report service like VinCheckUp.com
- Poor or Suspicious Description
While a lot of legitimate private sellers lack the experience or know-how to properly describe the vehicle in the sale listing description, some dishonest sellers may use vague or dishonest descriptions as a way to lure potential buyers into a trap. It is vital to look for any inconsistencies and other signs that the listing description text was copied directly from other ads.
Potential signs include a combination of the following warning signs:
- Very poor grammar or unusual phrasing
- Any text that appears to be written by multiple people or AI
- Generic short statements like “runs perfectly” without supporting information
- Trade or Barter Offers
Some sellers will not list the vehicle’s price in hopes of trading up for something better. In most cases, the seller will attempt to trade for an item that is greater in value than the vehicle they are selling. These are often predatory listings that aim to take advantage of uninformed used car shoppers.
- The Seller Refuses to Show the Vehicle
A legitimate seller should be willing to meet in person and allow you to inspect the vehicle. If the seller claims they are “out of the country,” or “working overseas” or says the vehicle will be shipped after payment, it is very likely a scam. Keep in mind that scammers commonly invent stories involving military deployment, job relocation, or family emergencies to explain why they cannot meet.
- Requests for Payment Before Seeing the Vehicle
A common online scam involves asking buyers to send a deposit through wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency before seeing the vehicle. Once the money is sent, the seller disappears. Legitimate sellers typically accept payment only after the buyer has seen the car and agreed to purchase it. Needless to say, it is vital to request the seller to provide a written and signed receipt of deposit in person only after inspecting the vehicle.
- Title and Legal Ownership Problems
If the seller cannot furnish clear documentation showing they own the vehicle, walk away.
Common warning signs include:
- Seller name not matching the title.
- Claims that the title will arrive later
- Requests to sign incomplete paperwork
- The title provided has an undisclosed legal issue such as a lien or a title brand.
- High-Pressure Sales Tactics
Some sellers often create artificial urgency by saying multiple buyers are ready to purchase immediately. They may pressure you to send money quickly or skip vital steps like getting a professional pre-purchase inspection.
Tips to Protect Yourself
To reduce your risk when buying a vehicle online:
- Always meet the seller in person and inspect the vehicle.
- Verify the VIN and check vehicle history report(s).
- Arrange a professional pre-purchase inspection.
- Compare prices with similar listings in your area.
- Never send money to someone you have not met.
Final Thoughts
Online marketplaces can be a great place to find used vehicles, but they also require careful attention. Deceptive listings often rely on urgency, incomplete information, and unusually attractive prices to trick buyers. By recognizing the warning signs and taking the time to verify the vehicle and the seller, you can significantly reduce your risk and make a more confident used car buying decision.
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