Car Scams
Car Deposit Scams UK: Why You Should Never Pay To Reserve A Car Unseen
4 min read
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CarVerified Team
Deposit scams are simple and common: pay to hold the car, and the seller vanishes. Here is how they work, when a deposit is reasonable, and how to pay safely.
The deposit scam is the simplest car scam there is, and one of the most common. A buyer pays a few hundred pounds to “hold” a car, then the seller stops replying. There was never a car, or it was never theirs to sell.
This is general information based on common patterns.
Check this car free first: enter the registration at carverified.co.uk to confirm it matches the advert, then see what a full report adds on the pricing page.
How it works
1.
A car is advertised below the market price.
2.
The seller says several people are interested and asks for a deposit to reserve it.
3.
They suggest a bank transfer, a payment link or a gift card.
4.
After the payment, they ask for more (delivery, “insurance”, a “release fee”) or disappear.
Warning signs
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A deposit is requested before you have seen the car.
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The seller is not able to meet you, or the car is “with a courier”.
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The seller pushes you to pay quickly because someone else is “on the way”.
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You are asked to pay by gift card, cryptocurrency or a link you do not recognise.
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When is a deposit reasonable?
Some genuine dealers take a refundable reservation after you have seen the car. If you pay one:
•
Pay only after viewing the car in person, at the dealer’s real premises.
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Get a written receipt with the dealer’s details, the car’s registration and VIN, the amount, and the refund terms.
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Pay by credit card if you can, which may give extra protection for purchases from a trader.
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Do not pay a deposit to a private seller you have not met.
Check first, pay later
Before any money moves, run the registration and match it to the car and the V5C. A free check takes a minute and tells you whether the car and the advert even match.
Which CarVerified report covers this?
Before any money moves, run the check. Silver Plus adds the finance check so you know the seller can legally sell the car, and Gold is the most complete report.
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Free check: start with the free vehicle check to confirm the make, model, colour, year and MOT and tax status match the advert.
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Silver: the core vehicle history check. Finance is not part of Silver, but it can be unlocked separately.
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Silver Plus: adds the outstanding finance check.
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Gold: the most complete report, adding ex-taxi, salvage and valuation checks.
See what each report includes on the pricing page or the sample report, and use the used car checklist when you view the car.
Back to the complete used car scams guide.

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Buying a used car?

Check the vehicle history before you buy: MOT history, mileage, outstanding finance, write-offs and theft records.
CarVerified Silver Plus (£5.99) covers write-off, stolen and outstanding finance checks.
Start with the free check - upgrade only if you want the full report.
Viewing a car? Use our free used car checklist →
FOR DEALERS - FREE TO JOIN
Still running your stock from a spreadsheet?
Stop using spreadsheets: record stock, costs and profit per car in one free dashboard, and list the same cars on your live public page.
Stock, costs and profit per car in one place - no spreadsheet needed
Free public stock page - your cars, prices, mileage and photos
Add a car by reg - DVLA details filled in for you
Buyer enquiries land straight in your dashboard
Invoices included (up to 5 a month free)
Analytics on the Professional plan: sell-through, stock ageing and margin
No card needed. Paid plans only if you need more.
Related Guides
Table of Contents
1.
How it works
2.
Warning signs
3.
When is a deposit reasonable?
4.
Check first, pay later
5.
Which CarVerified report covers this?
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