A used car is one of the largest purchases most people make privately, and one of the easiest for a fraudster to imitate. Fake advertisements use stolen photographs and low prices, while sellers can be targeted for their documents rather than their money. This guide draws on Which?, GOV.UK and DVLA guidance and applies to the UK unless stated. It is general information, not legal advice.
How fake vehicle listings work
Which? reported in November 2023 that fraudsters post fake vehicle or parts listings on social media using stolen images and false addresses, pressure buyers for deposits or full payment upfront, and then make excuses to avoid viewings or delivery. It cited a 74% increase in vehicle scams in the first half of 2023 compared with the previous year and an average victim loss of £998, and said more than two-thirds of car scams reported to Lloyds appeared on Meta platforms, with one in seven starting on eBay. Those figures relate to that period and are a snapshot, not a current rate. Our guide to social media and marketplace scams covers the wider pattern.
Warning signs for buyers
Which? lists several red flags: a suspiciously low price, a request for a bank transfer deposit before inspection, a seller who is never available and keeps changing the excuse, pressure claiming limited time or other interested buyers, and a refusal to show documents. Its advice includes asking for the V5C, checking the registration with the DVLA enquiry service, inspecting the vehicle before paying anything, preferring a credit card or PayPal to a bank transfer, and reporting suspicious listings to the platform.
What GOV.UK says to check
GOV.UK’s guidance on checking a used vehicle, which applies across the UK, tells buyers to obtain the registration number, make, model and MOT test number from the seller and confirm that the details match the information held by DVLA, and to check that the MOT status and history match. It also says to check whether the vehicle has been recalled for safety reasons. On the logbook itself, it advises checking for the ‘DVL’ watermark, confirming that the serial number is not in the ranges BG8229501 to BG9999030 or BI2305501 to BI2800000, and calling the police as soon as it is safe to do so if it is, because the logbook may be stolen. The vehicle identification number and engine number must also match the entries in the logbook. After purchase, GOV.UK says to tax the vehicle immediately, using the green ‘new keeper’ slip. Its guidance for this topic does not cover checks for outstanding finance, so buyers who want to check for that need a separate source.
Protecting yourself when selling
Sellers face different risks. GOV.UK says sellers must tell DVLA they have sold the vehicle, giving the buyer’s full name and address, and hand the green ‘new keeper’ slip to the buyer. It warns sellers not to share the logbook document reference number or pictures or copies of the logbook, because someone could use them to obtain a fraudulent copy, putting the vehicle at risk of being stolen or cloned. DVLA’s scam advice makes the same point, telling motorists not to post driving licences or V5C logbooks on social media.
DVLA impersonation after a sale
DVLA states that it will not ask for bank account details or confirmation of payment details, that vehicle tax refunds are issued automatically rather than through email links, and that the only place to reach official DVLA services is GOV.UK. GOV.UK says a seller will usually receive a tax refund in four to six weeks after telling DVLA of the sale. In 2024, nearly 20,000 customers reported fraudulent activity to DVLA’s contact centre. Where a message arrives, phishing emails should be reported to the National Cyber Security Centre and online scams to Report Fraud, which DVLA says replaced Action Fraud on 12 December 2025.
If you have been scammed
Which? advises contacting your bank immediately and then reporting to the police, using 101 in Scotland. Our guide to where to report a scam explains the routes in more detail.
Frequently asked questions
Should a car be bought without a V5C? GOV.UK advises checking the V5C, its watermark and its serial number, and that the VIN and engine number match it.
Is a bank transfer deposit safe? Which? lists a request for a bank transfer deposit before inspection as a warning sign and recommends a credit card or PayPal instead.
Can a seller share a photo of the logbook? GOV.UK warns against sharing the document reference number or pictures or copies of the logbook.
The bottom line
For buyers, the protections are simple: see the car and the V5C in person, match the vehicle details to DVLA’s records and never pay a deposit for a vehicle that has not been inspected. For sellers, the priority is to guard the logbook details and to ignore any unsolicited message claiming a refund is waiting, since DVLA refunds are automatic.