Used car 鈥榮moking engine鈥� scam
On the programme on 22 April 2025, we reported on cases where potential private buyers of used cars had tampered under the vehicle’s bonnet while a seller’s back was turned. This caused a smoking engine, which the prospective buyer then used as an excuse to make an artificially low offer, falsely claiming the engine would cost thousands to repair.
In HQ we spoke to Catherine Faiers from car sales platform Autotrader, who provided advice for private vehicle sellers to help avoid being scammed on their driveway.
This included:
· Be suspicious of sudden interest and a demand that the purchase must be completed immediately – most genuine buyers are happy to wait a day or two.
· Have someone with you while completing a sale. Don’t leave a potential buyer alone with a vehicle – if you need to retrieve paperwork, keys or something else from indoors, make sure a friend or family member stays with the car.
· Spontaneous faults that you’ve never noticed before are unlikely to be genuine. Take a step back and get the car checked out by an independent mechanic who you trust, before progressing with the sale.
· Beware of very low offers – while buyers will often negotiate, an offer well under your asking price on the grounds of a supposed fault with the car is suspicious.
· Don’t feel pressured to agree to a sale. Trust your instincts – be confident to walk away and wait for another buyer. More information on selling your car safely can be found at this link on the .
