10 possible scams when buying a used car

Buying a used car means running the risk of coming across an unscrupulous seller. That’s why we’re telling you about 10 possible scams you may encounter on the market.

Buying a used car is often a risky task, since the danger of being ripped off is always there and, especially if you’re looking for a car on a low budget, it’s common to come across not-so-orthodox fixes.

So, if you’re interested in buying a car at a reasonable price, we recommend paying attention to some specific elements so they don’t pull a fast one on you. Don’t worry, it doesn’t mean every seller will do it, but as the saying goes, prevention is better than cure. Note: if we find these faults it doesn’t mean you have to run away from that car, but it does mean you should be wary of the seller and negotiate the price.

So, let’s tell you about 10 possible scams you may encounter when buying a used car. If you’re on the other side and you’re the seller, don’t miss our guide on how to sell your used car.

The battery is dead

It’s not so unusual for, a few days after buying the car, us to try to start it and discover that the battery is dead. It may be a coincidence, but there are savvy sellers who keep the battery in good condition and fit one with just enough charge to last a week. This is almost a lottery, because unless we have an ammeter handy, we’re taking a gamble that it won’t happen to us.

Old tyres

Another trick we may come across is that the car we’re about to buy had tyres in good condition in the photos we saw. However, when we get to see it we realise they are similar to slicks from Formula 1.

If so, there are two options: either the seller has been to a trackday just before showing you the car, or they have swapped them and kept the ones that were in good condition. It doesn’t matter what happened, but what is clear is that tyres in poor condition are a solid argument for getting a hefty discount on the price.

Worn brake pads

When you’re buying a car on a tight budget, it’s common to run into this kind of problem. However, this is one of those problems we can check ourselves when we test-drive the car. If we notice the car doesn’t brake steadily, that it pulls to one side or that the brakes squeal, the car needs a brake pad replacement or even discs. In that case, we have another bargaining chip to bring down the price.

What about the spare wheel?

This is another of the sneaky tricks you may find with a used car from an unethical seller. Find out where the car’s spare wheel is stored or, failing that, the puncture repair kit. If there’s no trace of either, ask about it, since they’ve probably been removed to be sold separately.

The car has no fuel

It’s not normal for a seller to hand you a car with a full fuel tank. However, it’s less normal for it to be on reserve, so it’s worth asking them to pay for just enough fuel to get you home at the very least.

The car looks like a dump

If you’re buying a car that looks like it has been replacing a rubbish lorry for a few days, bear in mind that a thorough clean can cost around 50 euros. It’s worth asking for that amount.

Mechanical faults

This is one of the most common problems and the first thing you should check. If you’re buying a car with some kind of fault, at the very least make sure you know about it. If when you test-drive it you notice something strange, an odd noise or a warning light is on in the instrument cluster, the best advice is to look for another car unless this one is at scrap price.

In the dark

It’s not normal, but there have been cases of sellers removing the headlight bulbs to sell them separately or to use them on another car. So, even if you go to see the car in broad daylight, make sure all the lights and indicators work.

Against the wall

If you go to see a car and the first photo they show you is the car parked against a wall or something that covers some part of it, be suspicious. Use the moment you test-drive the car to park it in an open space so you can look at it from top to bottom.

No radio

Another thing you may see in the ad photos that then surprises you when you go to view the car is the radio. If this happens, take into account the cost of fitting a new one and try to knock that off the agreed price.

If you want to keep preparing to buy a used car, don’t miss the tips for buying a used car offered by our colleagues at Highmotor.