How to Spot a Dodgy Used Car Listing (Before It’s Too Late)

Here’s the good news: you don’t need to be a mechanic or a detective to avoid getting ripped off. You just need to know the signs of a dodgy listing - and how to dig a little deeper.

Let’s break it down.

The Warning Signs in the Listing Itself

1. The Price Is Suspiciously Low

This is the big one. If it looks too good to be true - yep, it probably is. If similar models are going for £8,000 and this one is listed at £5,000, ask yourself why.

Common reasons include:

• Outstanding finance

• Written-off status

• Clocked mileage

• Stolen vehicle

Cheap isn’t always cheerful. Do your homework.

2. Vague or Minimal Description

Legit sellers will usually go into detail - service history, ownership, recent work done. Scammers tend to keep it vague. If the listing only says something like "Drives great, quick sale needed", consider that a red flag.

3. Stock Photos or No Photos

Real sellers upload photos of the actual car. Dodgy listings often use:

• Stock images

• Blurry or cropped photos

• Only one or two angles

• Photos taken from other websites

Always reverse image search if you’re suspicious.

4. Urgent or Emotional Language

"Urgent sale due to family emergency" "Moving abroad tomorrow" "Can’t believe I’m letting this go so cheap"

This kind of language is designed to rush you into a decision. Take your time - a good deal will still be there after you do your checks.

5. Contact Info Is Sketchy

Some red flags here:

• Only contactable via email or messaging app

• No phone number

• Weird email addresses

• Requesting to chat outside the platform (e.g., on WhatsApp)

Legit sellers don’t hide.

In-Person Red Flags (or When They Dodge Meeting You)

6. They Avoid Letting You See the Car

"I'm out of town, but I can arrange delivery" "My brother will show it to you at a service station"

Big red flag. Always view the car in person at the seller’s home or business address. Make sure the address matches the V5C logbook.

7. They Won’t Let You Test Drive

A trustworthy seller won’t mind you taking the car for a short test drive - with insurance and license checks, of course. If they make excuses, walk away.

8. Something Feels Off With the Car

Once you're viewing the car, trust your gut. Look out for:

• Odd smells or noises

• Mismatched paintwork

• Dashboard warning lights

• Missing service records

Bring a mechanically-savvy friend if you're unsure.

Paperwork Pitfalls You Can’t Ignore

9. No V5C Logbook

No logbook? No sale.

Every legitimate UK vehicle must come with a V5C registration document. Make sure:

• It has a watermark

• The name and address match the seller

• The VIN matches the car

10. Service History Gaps

Gaps in service history can suggest the car was neglected - or had problems the seller doesn’t want to mention. Ask questions like:

• Where was it serviced?

• Are receipts included?

• Why are there gaps?

It’s your right to know.

11. Mileage Doesn’t Add Up

Check the mileage shown against MOT history on gov.uk. If it drops at any point - someone’s been clocking.

Also, does the wear and tear match the mileage? A car showing 40k miles shouldn’t have worn-out pedals or faded buttons.

The Most Important Step: Run a Car History Check

All of the above is useful - but it only goes so far. If you want to truly protect yourself from a dodgy used car listing, the best move is this:

Run a full car history check.

At TopCarCheck.co.uk, we pull data from multiple trusted sources to tell you everything you need to know, including:

• Outstanding finance

• Written-off status (Cat S/N)

• Mileage discrepancies

• Whether it’s been stolen

• MOT history and failures

• Plate and VIN changes

• Previous owners

It’s fast, cheap, and can save you from losing thousands.

Run a car check now and get peace of mind in minutes.

Real Story: Sarah’s Almost-Scam

Sarah found a 2017 Ford Fiesta listed for £3,800 - way under market value. The listing looked fine, but the seller kept making excuses about meeting. Eventually, she managed to get a reg number and ran a check.

Turns out, the car had been stolen 6 months earlier and the plates were cloned.

No V5C. No sale. No heartbreak.

She dodged a huge mistake - all thanks to a quick check.

Tips to Stay Safe When Buying Used Cars Online

• Always meet in person and take someone with you

• Never pay in cash or send money in advance

• Verify the seller’s ID and address

• Match VINs on the car, V5C, and check service book

• Run a full history check before agreeing to anything

Common Scams in the UK Used Car Market

Be aware of these sneaky tactics:

• Cloned cars - plates and VINs copied from legit vehicles

• Deposit scams - seller disappears after you send a deposit

• Clocked mileage - odometers rolled back to boost value

• Fake documents - forged service records or logbooks

• Cut-and-shut jobs - two cars welded together after accidents

Knowing these scams gives you the power to avoid them.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Rush, Don’t Regret

Buying a used car doesn’t have to be stressful. Yes, there are scams out there - but if you stay sharp, ask questions, and run your checks, you can drive away with confidence.

A dodgy used car listing can cost you more than money - it can mean hassle, danger, and stress. But with a bit of street smarts and the right tools, you’ll spot the fakes from miles away.

Ready to check a car right now?

Run a full car history check with TopCarCheck and shop smarter.