It is easy to get caught up in the excitement of purchasing a car, but it’s important to keep a level head so as not to make poor decisions.
Here are some useful tips from motus.cars, supported by Motus Nissan (previously Imperial Nissan), to ensure you get the best car deal and avoid being scammed.
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Make sure the seller has a valid address which can be checked on Google Maps
Make sure the seller’s telephone number is valid; be wary of mobile phone numbers
Keep your own safety in mind when meeting with the seller, and never buy without seeing and driving the car first
Never send money to other countries as this is often the preferred method of a fraudulent seller acquiring money illegally
Only pay for the car when you physically collect it from the seller
Be wary of requests for upfront payments, private information, a false sense of urgency, or requests to provide unnecessary details as these could indicate a scam
Conduct a history check on the car to find out if it’s recorded as stolen, written-off, scrapped, repaired by an insurer after an accident, has outstanding finance or has been leased. It can also uncover mileage discrepancies and confirm registration details, the number of owners, the
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), and other original details
Ask the seller if you can see the original Natis (registration document) and roadworthy certificate. Check that the VIN on these forms is the same as that on the car, commonly found on the chassis or on the windscreen
Test drive the car and physically check the documentation. Never buy without checking the car in daylight to spot any possible damage
For your own safety, ask a friend to accompany you on the test drive and decide the route beforehand
Always check the car’s market value by getting a valuation or comparing the price with other similar models advertised.
