Car selling scams: the messages private sellers get, and what they really mean

List a car privately and the first odd message usually arrives within the hour. Most are the same handful of scams, reworded. Here are the seven you're most likely to see, how to spot each one, and what to do.

The quick rule

If a message involves any of these, stop:

• a code sent to your phone
• a link you have to click to get paid
• a courier collecting on the buyer's behalf
• an offer to pay more than you asked
• proof of payment instead of actual payment

No genuine buyer needs any of them.

1. "Is this still available?"

A typical version: "Hi, is this still available?"

What's happening: On its own, nothing. Facebook even offers it as a one-tap message, so genuine buyers send it too. But it is also how most scam conversations start, because it confirms your listing is live and that you reply.

What to do: Reply normally. The next message is the real test. If it jumps straight to couriers, codes or payment links, you have your answer.

2. "I've sent you a code. Can you read it back?"

A typical version: "Before I travel I need to check you're genuine. I've sent a code to your phone, can you tell me what it says?"

What's happening: There is no such check. The code is a login or verification code for one of your accounts, such as WhatsApp or Facebook. Read it out and they can take the account over, then use it to message your contacts asking for money.

What to do: Never share a code sent to your phone, with anyone, for any reason. Turn on two-step verification in WhatsApp and Facebook so a code alone isn't enough to get in.

3. "I'm working away. My courier will collect."

A typical version: "I'm working offshore so I can't view it, but I'll pay the full price by PayPal plus £300 for the courier. Please pay the courier from that when they arrive."

What's happening: The payment is fake, or it will be clawed back once the car has gone. The "extra" you pass to the courier is your own money. Even a genuine payment can be disputed after collection.

What to do: Don't agree to a sale where nobody views the car. Never send money on to anyone as part of selling something. If someone offers to pay more than you asked, that isn't generosity, it's the scam.

4. "I've paid. Click here to receive your money."

A typical version: "Payment sent! You need to confirm it here to receive the funds: [link]"

What's happening: The link goes to a fake payment page, often made to look like Facebook, PayPal or a bank. It asks for your card details "to receive" the money. It is there to take them.

What to do: You never need to click a link, or enter card details, to receive money. Check your own banking app instead.

5. "Here's the payment confirmation."

A typical version: An email that looks like it's from PayPal or a bank saying the money is waiting for you, or a screenshot of a completed transfer.

What's happening: Anyone can fake an email or a screenshot in a minute. The message is designed to get you to hand over the car before you notice nothing has arrived.

What to do: Log in to your bank or PayPal directly, not through anything they sent you, and check the money is actually there. If it isn't in your account, you haven't been paid.

6. "Can you send me the V5C reference?"

A typical version: "Can you send a photo of the logbook? I need the document reference number to run a history check."

What's happening: A history check only needs the registration. The document reference number on your V5C is what DVLA's online service uses to change the registered keeper, and sellers have reported having their car transferred out of their name this way.

What to do: A serious buyer can look at the logbook in person to check it matches the car. Don't send photos of it, don't read out the reference number, and don't let anyone photograph it before the sale is done.

7. "It's sent. Look, here's my banking app."

A typical version: The buyer arrives, shows you a phone screen with a completed transfer, and says it will clear in a few hours.

What's happening: Fake banking apps and doctored screens exist for exactly this moment. Once the car has gone, so have they.

What to do: The keys and logbook only change hands once the money shows in your own account, checked on your own phone. Large transfers are sometimes held by the buyer's bank for security checks. That is a reason to wait, not a reason to hand over the keys.

When they come to see it

• Have someone with you if you can.
• Before a test drive, see their driving licence and make sure they're insured to drive your car. Many policies no longer include cover for driving other cars.
• Go with them on the test drive, and keep the keys whenever you're not both in the car.
• Keep the logbook out of sight until the sale is agreed.

If you've been caught out

• You've lost money: call your bank straight away. Dialling 159 connects you safely to most UK banks.
• Report it: to Report Fraud at reportfraud.police.uk or on 0300 123 2040, in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101.
• Scam texts and emails: forward texts free to 7726. Forward emails to report@phishing.gov.uk.
• You shared a code: secure that account immediately and turn on two-step verification.
• You shared your V5C details: contact DVLA.
• Report the account on the site where it contacted you, so it's taken down before the next seller hears from it.

Why this keeps happening

Almost every scam above starts the same way: a stranger has your phone number or email, because it was on the listing or you handed it over to reply.

That's the gap OwnerCars was built to close. Your phone number, email and address are never shown on your advert. Buyers need an account to message you, and they message you through OwnerCars, so there's no reason for your number to leave the site. They can't text you a code if they don't have your number.

It doesn't make scams impossible. Someone can still try the courier story through our messages. So the advice above applies wherever you sell, including with us.

Last updated: September 2026