Drivers looking to purchase a second-hand vehicle are being alerted to a major fraud tactic described as one of the "biggest scams" in the trade. The warning comes from renowned car mechanic and YouTube personality, Scotty Kilmer.
The Private Seller Pretence: A Common Trap
In a recent video, Kilmer highlighted the practice used by some disreputable used car dealerships. They will often advertise a car on platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist, but use a private individual to pose as the seller. This tactic is designed to make buyers feel they are getting a better deal from a genuine person, bypassing the potential distrust associated with a car lot.
"I’m going to show you one of the biggest scams in used car sales," Kilmer stated. "Disreputable used car lots will advertise a car... but they’ll have a private individual pretending it's their car." His crucial advice is to always demand to see the vehicle's V5C registration document, commonly known as the logbook.
How to Spot a Fake V5C Logbook
The V5C is a critical document that logs the registered keeper of a vehicle, though it is not absolute proof of legal ownership. Since October 2002, it has been illegal to sell a car without a valid V5C. You should never accept excuses that it has been lost, as a replacement can be applied for easily.
When examining the V5C, you must check two key things:
- The name in the "registered keeper" section (section 2) must match the person selling you the car.
- The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or chassis number on the document must exactly match the number stamped on the car itself.
Kilmer emphasised this point: "If the present owner isn't the same name as a person selling you the car, run away."
Protecting Yourself from Document Forgery
Scammers sometimes resort to forging the V5C. A genuine V5C is a single A3 sheet of paper folded to create four A4 sides. While forgeries can look convincing, there is a vital security feature to look for.
The official document paper has a distinct watermark, with the letters 'DVL' repeated in large text from top to bottom. If you hold the paper up to the light and this watermark is absent, the logbook is almost certainly a fake. In such a scenario, you should leave immediately and consider reporting the incident to the police to prevent others from being defrauded.
By being vigilant, checking the V5C thoroughly, and walking away if anything seems amiss, used car buyers can avoid this costly scam and make a safer purchase.
