Trying to sell a car...Is this a scam?

Question

I'm selling my old car (old as in 1989!) and have a notice in the back window. A woman phoned me last night and said she wanted to buy the car, didn't want a test drive or look it over, would pay me a deposit at the weekend and pay the rest and take the car the following Saturday when her son comes home. I'm a bit worried because who buys a car without looking it over and at least having a drive round the block? It's an old, cheap car, with tax and MOT valid for the next few months, but I feel a bit suspicious, she seemed too eager. Can anyone advise?

Answer 1

As long as she places cash in your hand with the express understanding that the deposit only holds the car until the following Saturday, what's the harm? And as long as she hands over cash on the day and only gets the car and the logbook once you have full payment in hand. No cheques or wire transfers or other dodgy schemes.

Sounds like someone with more £££ than common sense. But if she's willing to finance this weekend's bender down the local, what's not to like?

Oh, yeah, and don't forget to send off the notice to the DVLA so they know that you're no longer the registered keeper. I would ask for some sort of identification from the buyer -- driving license or passport -- to make sure that the details are correct! No sense having some ponce swan off to London racking up congestion charges for you to pay!

Answer 2

I ts is not dodgy as long as she pays in cash, and you fill in the correct parts on the registration certificate.

So many people make the mistake of not sending off the yellow slip. That is when these people will use your car in the congestion zone and speed through cameras.

Many people buy cars without seeing them especially when they are old and cheap, it is a risk they take.

Chances are if she has seen your sign in your window then she has already looked the car over.

Answer 3

Be careful ..THere are groups of Easter Europens buying cars and not re-registering them .What they do is use the car for a few months rack up speeding/parking tickets and use them inLOndon without paying the congestion charge .They use it for a few months by then you'll start getting the fines etc and they just dump the car and move on to somewhere else..
They usually target older cars that are less likely to cause suspicion...

Answer 4

Just don't let it out of your sight until you have the dough. Make sure you put on the receipt that it was sold as seen and tested and approved by the buyer and that the sale is final. Quite a lot of people who are stuck for a car will do that, it isn't uncommon.

Answer 5

Is it a rare or valuable car? Cars dont have to be antique to be worth serious money. Does it have a cherished number plate? Would have been easier to answer if i knew what make , model it was. Get the number plate valued online. elitereg.com or regtransfers.co.uk

Answer 6

I had someone buy a car of me once they just looked at it and gave me the money.I think if its someone who doesn't no anything about cars and they have a fair bit of cash they are probably not to worried.

Answer 7

Just don't let her take the car until everything clears. Don't let her take it at the deposit. Maybe write up a little bill of sale or soemthing.

Answer 8

You check out your number plate and also try to get the car to auction, there is something she wants from this car, do not sell until you see what it is really worth

Answer 9

Just wait and see if she gives you cash or cheque. If it's cheque don't let her take the car until it's cleared and if she pays the deposit with cash, don't let her take the car until you're sure that the cash is kosher!

Answer 10

1. take only cash.

2. don't give up the car before paid in full

3. ask for I.D. and copy the info down on a DMV release form, make a copy to keep and turn in the form PROMPTLY.

4.PRAY.