The second-hand car market is booming, with popular models sometimes selling within just days of being listed. For drivers eager to snap up their dream motor, that urgency can sometimes cloud judgement and leave them vulnerable to scams. According to used car expert Alex from Medina Auto Mall, there are three particular tricks that buyers in the UK need to watch out for.
And if you miss them it could leave you considerably out of pocket – often without your money or your new car. Alex said: “Whenever a market is this competitive, you’ll always find people trying to exploit it. Buyers need to take extra care to make sure they’re not driving away with a scam rather than a bargain.”
Car cloning
Car cloning has become one of the most widespread scams in the UK. Criminals take the identity of a legitimate car and copy it onto another, often stolen or written-off vehicle. The expert explained with an example saying: “Imagine a 2019 Volkswagen Golf in grey. A scammer will find another Golf of the same year, model, and trim, then use its registration details to create a duplicate V5 document.
“The car then appears legitimate when in fact it could be stolen, dangerous, or used in crime. The real owner may suddenly find police knocking on their door or fines arriving through the post for offences they didn’t commit.”
To protect yourself, Alex advises buyers to look carefully at the number plates. Odd fonts, unusual colours, or strange fixings are red flags.
Fake addresses and dodgy documents
A surprisingly common trick involves sellers using false addresses to disguise who really owns the vehicle. In some cases, buyers are shown a genuine-looking V5 document, but the seller avoids linking themselves to the property listed.
Alex said: “If you go to collect a car and the seller says, ‘I’ll meet you on the drive,’ and you never step foot in the actual house, alarm bells should ring. A genuine seller will have no issue proving the car belongs to them at their registered address.”
Checking the name and address on the V5 against ID, utility bills, or receipts can add an extra layer of protection. Genuine sellers are usually open about their documents, while scammers will always have an excuse ready.
Clocking
Another scam that has been around for decades is clocking, where sellers roll back the mileage on a car to make it seem fresher and more valuable. “There are simple ways to avoid being caught out,” Alex said.
“Use an MOT history checker or a V-check service to see the mileage recorded over time. If you notice sudden drops or figures that don’t add up, something isn’t right.”
Visual cues can also give the game away. “If a car claims to have only 30,000 miles on the clock but the seats are sagging, the steering wheel leather is worn, or the pedals are scuffed, that should immediately raise suspicion.
“And don’t be fooled by a service book filled with stamps. What you really want are receipts and invoices that show genuine maintenance.”