Avoiding Car Import Scams
Buying a car from overseas can be a fantastic way to find your dream vehicle at a great price. But scammers know this too. Here's how to protect yourself and your money.
Car Scams Are More Sophisticated Than Ever
Every year, thousands of people fall victim to car purchase scams. The losses can be devastating, often running into tens of thousands of pounds.
Modern scammers create convincing fake listings, use stolen photos, and even set up fake websites that look like legitimate dealerships. They prey on excitement and urgency to bypass your natural caution.
The good news? With proper due diligence, you can spot most scams before sending any money. This guide will show you how.
Red Flags to Watch For
If you spot any of these warning signs, proceed with extreme caution or walk away entirely.
Price Too Good to Be True
If a car is listed significantly below market value, question why. Scammers use attractive prices to create urgency and override your better judgement.
Pressure to Pay Quickly
Legitimate sellers understand you need time for due diligence. Anyone pushing you to send money immediately is likely running a scam.
Unusual Payment Methods
Requests for gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers to personal accounts, or payment apps should raise immediate concerns.
Refusing Video Calls
A genuine seller should be happy to show you the vehicle via video call. Excuses about broken cameras or being too busy are warning signs.
Vague or Inconsistent Details
Scammers often cannot answer specific questions about the vehicle's history, service records, or why they are selling.
No Verifiable Identity
Legitimate dealers have business registrations, physical addresses, and online reviews. Private sellers should be traceable through social media or other means.
Always Check the VIN
The Vehicle Identification Number is your most powerful tool for verifying a car's legitimacy and history.
Get the VIN
Request the full 17-character Vehicle Identification Number. Never proceed without it.
Google the VIN
Search the VIN in quotes. Check if it appears on multiple listings, forums, or scam reports.
Run History Reports
Use CarFax, AutoCheck, Car Vertical, or HPI depending on the vehicle's origin country.
Verify the Details
Confirm the report matches what the seller has told you about mileage, ownership, and accident history.
Why Google the VIN?
Scammers often reuse the same VIN across multiple fake listings. A quick Google search of the VIN in quotes (e.g., "1HGCM82633A123456") can reveal if the same vehicle appears on multiple sites, in forum discussions about scams, or on fraud warning databases. This simple step costs nothing and takes seconds.
History Check Services
Different regions have different vehicle history providers. Use the right service for your vehicle's origin.
CarFax
USA and Canada
The most widely used US vehicle history service. Shows accidents, service history, ownership changes, and title problems.
Visit website →AutoCheck
USA
Owned by Experian, provides similar information to CarFax with a scoring system to compare vehicles.
Visit website →Car Vertical
Europe and Worldwide
Good coverage for European vehicles including mileage verification and stolen vehicle checks.
Visit website →HPI Check
United Kingdom
The UK standard for vehicle checks. Essential for any UK-sourced vehicle to check for finance and write-offs.
Visit website →Japanese Auction Sheets
Japan
For Japanese imports, the original auction sheet shows the vehicle's condition when it entered the auction system.
What History Reports Reveal
- Accident and damage history
- Title problems (salvage, rebuilt, flood)
- Odometer discrepancies
- Number of previous owners
- Service and maintenance records
- Stolen vehicle database checks
Paying for Your Vehicle Safely
How you pay is just as important as what checks you do. Never send money until you've completed your due diligence.
For private sales, bank transfers offer some protection but can be difficult to reverse once the money has left your account. Credit cards provide better consumer protection but aren't always accepted for large purchases.
For purchases from the USA and some other markets, escrow services can provide an additional layer of protection. The money is held by a trusted third party until you confirm the vehicle matches what was agreed. We can help arrange this for US purchases.
How We Can Help
For US vehicle purchases, we have established relationships with escrow services and can help coordinate secure payment. We can also arrange independent pre-purchase inspections and verify dealer credentials before you commit any funds.
Your Safety Checklist
Before sending any money, make sure you can tick every box:
- Obtained and verified the VIN number
- Searched the VIN in Google for duplicate listings
- Purchased a vehicle history report
- Had a video call showing the actual vehicle
- Verified the seller's identity and credentials
- Confirmed the price is realistic for the market
- Arranged an independent inspection where possible
- Using a secure payment method
Independent Inspections
History reports tell you about the past, but an inspection tells you about the present condition.
Pre-Purchase Inspections
Many countries have services that will physically inspect a vehicle on your behalf. In the USA, services like Lemon Squad or local mechanics can provide detailed reports with photos.
For auction purchases, the auction house typically provides condition grades and photos, but an independent inspection adds another layer of confidence.
What Inspectors Check
- Body condition, rust, and previous repairs
- Engine and transmission operation
- Interior condition and electrical systems
- VIN verification against documents
- Test drive assessment where possible
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check if a car listing is legitimate?
Start by searching the VIN number in Google to see if it appears on multiple listings or scam reports. Request a full vehicle history report from CarFax, AutoCheck, or Car Vertical. Verify the seller's identity and ask for video calls showing the actual vehicle. Be wary of prices significantly below market value.
What are the biggest red flags when buying a car overseas?
Major warning signs include: sellers refusing video calls, pressure to pay quickly, requests for unusual payment methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency, prices too good to be true, reluctance to provide VIN or history reports, and stories about why they cannot meet in person or show the vehicle.
Is it safe to buy a car from the USA without seeing it?
Yes, thousands of people successfully import cars from the USA every year. The key is doing proper due diligence: get a CarFax or AutoCheck report, have an independent inspection done, verify the seller through dealer licensing or auction house credentials, and use secure payment methods. We can help coordinate inspections and secure payments for US purchases.
What vehicle history services should I use?
For US vehicles, CarFax and AutoCheck are the most comprehensive. For European vehicles, Car Vertical provides good coverage. For Japanese vehicles, auction sheets and export certificates are important. For UK vehicles, HPI Check is the standard. Always use multiple sources when possible.
How can ShipMyCar help protect me from scams?
We have established relationships with reputable dealers and auction houses worldwide. For US purchases, we can help arrange secure payment through escrow services. We can coordinate independent pre-purchase inspections and verify seller credentials. Our experience means we can often spot potential scams before you commit.
What should I do if I think I have been scammed?
Contact your bank immediately to attempt to reverse the payment. Report the scam to Action Fraud (UK), the FTC (USA), or your local equivalent. Save all communications with the seller. Report the listing to the platform where you found it. Unfortunately, recovery is difficult once money has been sent, which is why prevention through proper checks is essential.
Ready to Import Safely?
Get a quote for shipping your vehicle to the UK. We can help with inspections, secure payments, and the complete import process.
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