How to avoid scams in 2025?

Last updated of 4 April 2025 by Maxime de Prinel

The purchase of a used car can be a lot … provided that you avoid traps! Every year, many buyers are captured by dishonest sellers, tampered cars or too beautiful offers to be true. In 2025, with the rise of online scams and new fraudulent practices, it is more important than never find out before signing anything.

Here is a practical guide to serenely buy your used car and avoid unpleasant surprises.

1. Always check the identity of the seller

Before even going to see a car, make sure that the person you change with is the owner. Ask for an identity document and compare the information with the vehicle registration form. If you buy a professional, check the legal existence of his garage and consult online reviews.

A seller who refuses to give his identity or who insists on a quick transaction without formalities? Escape, it’s ladle!

2. Consult the history of the vehicle with historian

Don’t you want to buy a stolen car, accident or tampering? The best solution is to consult Historicala free service from the Ministry of the Interior.

In one click, you will have access to:
✔️ The list of former owners
✔️ The results of the technical checks
✔️ POSSIBLE complaints or scrap passages

A serious seller will have no problems providing this relationship. If not, Ask yourself what is trying to hide …

3. Carefully analyze the documents

Before working, check that all the vehicle documents are in order:

✅ Non -agro certificate : Shows that the car has no debts or administrative oppositions.
✅ Maintenance book : good follow -Up shows that the vehicle has been well maintained. Pay attention to falsified stamps!
✅ Technical control : Mandatory for cars over the age of 4, it must have been released for less than 6 months.

Missing or suspicious documents? Be careful, it can hide a scam.

4. Attention to too low prices

A car shown well under his side? This is rarely a good sign.

🚨 Pay attention to false good business! Some lower sellers artificially to attract naive buyers, then disappear once the payment is made.

Always take time to compare several similar ads to get an idea of ​​the actual price of the model you are interested in.

5. Never pay before having seen the car

It’s a classic scam: the seller asks you for a deposit to «book» the vehicle, so disappears with your money. Don’t fall into the trap!

⚠️ Golden rule: always see and try the car before paying anything.

6. Do a mandatory road test

We do not buy a used car without having tried it on the road.

During the test, pay attention to these signs:

✔️ DIFFICULT START OR SMOKE -UP Suspicious
✔️ abnormal noises (crossing, banging)
✔️ Vibrations or direction it draws on one side
✔️ Reductors illuminated on the dashboard

If the seller refuses to test the car, it’s a bad sign. Go to your way.

7. Make sure the payment

The safest payment method remains Bank control. It is released directly from your bank and guarantees that the money is well available.

💳 To avoid absolutely:
❌ Liquid payments (no trace in case of problem)
❌ instant transfers before having gray paper
❌ Payment services of unaccompanied third parties

8. Pay attention to hidden defects

Sometimes a car looks perfect at first sight, but hides serious defects.

A hidden defect can be:
🔴 a defective engine that descends after a few weeks
🔴 A change consumed that costs a fortune for repair
🔴 A scarcely repaired accident and chassis

What to do in case of hidden defect? It is possible to start a procedure to cancel the sale or request a reduction in prices. To avoid it, always check the car from a mechanic before purchasing.

9. Check the real mileage

The traffic of the counter is a common fraud: the scammers modify the mileage to make a more recent car appear than it really is.

To avoid this scam:
✔️ Compare mileage with the wear of seats, pedals and steering wheel
✔️ Consult the vehicle chronology on Histovew1
✔️ Check maintenance invoices (indicate mileage with each review)

A buffered meter can hide a worn car full of mechanical problems. Be careful.

10. Buy from a recognized professional

If you want to avoid scams, the purchase of a professional is often a good solution.

✔️ Advantages:
✅ WARRANTY of legal conformity (minimum 6 months)
✅ Revised and controlled vehicle
✅ Possibility of financing

✔️ Disadvantages:
❌ higher price than individuals

It is an additional cost, but which can be worth it to buy in all serenity.

Conclusion: distrust and common sense are your best allies

The purchase of a used car can be an excellent deal, provided that you are careful and check every detail before finalizing the sale.

Summary of the golden rules:
✔️ Check the identity of the seller
✔️ Consult Histoverche for the history of the vehicle
✔️ Analyze all documents
✔️ Avoid too low prices and early payments
✔️ ALWAYS YOU ARE A ROAD TEST
✔️ opt for safe payment

By following these suggestions, you will considerably reduce the risk of scam and you can fully enjoy your new car in peace. Have a good trip! 🚗💨