Car Scams
Private Seller Car Scams UK: Curbstoning, Cloned Plates And "Selling For A Friend"
5 min read
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CarVerified Team
Most private sellers are honest, but some scams hide behind the label. Learn the patterns, from curbstoning to "selling for a friend", and how to protect yourself.
Buying privately can save money, but you have fewer protections than buying from a dealer. That makes the seller’s identity and the car’s history even more important.
This is general information on common patterns, not an accusation against any seller.
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.
Curbstoning
A trader buys cars to sell on while posing as a private seller, to avoid dealer responsibilities. Signs: several cars for sale, a recent keeper on the V5C, a car park meeting and a refusal to give the address.
“Selling for a friend or relative”
The person selling is not the registered keeper. They may have no right to sell, the owner may not know, or the car may be stolen. A genuine proxy sale is possible, but you should not accept it without clear proof.
Cloned plates
A stolen car takes the identity of a genuine one, so the plate, the advert and the documents all appear to match a real car. The fix is to match the VIN, not just the plate. See how to spot a cloned car.
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Hidden history
The car looks clean but has finance, a write-off marker or a wound-back odometer. See outstanding finance scams and signs of a clocked car.
Protect yourself
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View the car at the address on the V5C, in daylight, and take a friend.
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Confirm the seller’s name matches the V5C, and ask to see ID.
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Check the VIN on the car matches the V5C and the history report.
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Get a written receipt that names the seller, the car and the price.
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Compare buying privately vs from a dealer before you decide.
Which CarVerified report covers this?
In a private sale the report is your main protection. Silver Plus adds the finance check, and Gold is the most complete report for a cloned-plate or hidden-history worry.
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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
Are you a car dealer without a website?
Record your stock, costs and profit in one place and list it on a live public page - free, live in minutes.
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
Stock, costs and profit per car in one place - no spreadsheet needed
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.
Curbstoning
2.
"Selling for a friend or relative"
3.
Cloned plates
4.
Hidden history
5.
Protect yourself
6.
Which CarVerified report covers this?
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