A CAR expert has shared five red flags potential buyers should look out for when looking to pick up a used motor – including a telltale sign the set of wheels they’re keen on might be CLONED.
As many drivers will know, finding a cheap used car is a tricky task – especially if you opt to cut the cost further by looking on social media sites or buying from a private seller.
GettyBuying a cheap used car comes with plenty of concerns – including the worry the motor you’re looking at has been cloned or stolen[/caption]
GettyA car expert has provided five warning signs to look out for[/caption]
In fact, according to a motoring guru, private buyers run the risk of being scammed by untrustworthy sellers simply because these types of sales aren’t covered by consumer protection laws.
Thankfully, Darren Miller of Big Motoring World has revealed five second hand car traps buyers could fall into, how to spot them, and how to avoid them.
Buying a non-existent car
It might seem hard to believe, but some sellers are able to convince buyers to throw their hard-earned cash at a motor they’ve never even seen and doesn’t exist.
It can happen to anyone, especially with numerous fake car adverts listed online.
One simple tip is that if the advert lists the motor you’re looking at for much lower than expected price, then there’s a chance there’s something wrong with the deal – if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
The car experts say that potential buyers should never allow themselves to be pressured into agreeing to a sale or parting with cash up front.
They also say to always insist on seeing the motor at the person’s home address and test drive it if possible – instead of buying a car from just a picture from a social media.
Buying a faulty or damaged car
Not all cars are as they seem, and some sellers will hide problems or fail to disclose certain info – including if the vehicle was a write-off.
That’s where a simple HPI check comes in, which is a comprehensive test that can reveal a car’s details and history, including any previous accidents, its correct mileage, and even if the car might be registered as stolen.
Any good dealership should be able to reveal a vehicle history, but it can be less secure when buying from a private seller, so you should run a HPI check yourself.
Buying a clocked car
A car’s mileage is one of the biggest selling points, simply because a lower mileage typically means dealers can ask for a higher price on the second-hand market.
But with a clocked car, the displayed mileage is manipulated and rolled back to falsely increase the value of the car.
Modern technology has made this alteration more difficult to spot, but there are warning signs you can look out for.
Firstly, checking the mileage on old MOT certificates and the service history can help you determine if the current value is realistic.
You can also look out for signs of use around the car, which you wouldn’t expect on a car with a low mileage – for example, while doing an interior check if the steering wheel is peeling or the pedals are worn
Buying a cloned car
Cloning is when a criminal copies the identity of another vehicle by stealing or duplicating the registration plate and its vehicle identification number.
And in some cases, you might not notice you bought a cloned car until you get letters for parking or speeding offences you didn’t commit.
How to keep your car safe
Tips from the Metropolitan Police on how to protect your vehicle from thieves.
Lock your vehicle
Locking your vehicle greatly reduces the possibility of it being targeted by an opportunity thief.
It is illegal to leave your vehicle with the engine running.
If your car is stolen while it’s left like this your insurer won’t pay out because you won’t be covered.
Keep the keys safe
Keep your keys out of view when at home.
It’s not uncommon for car keys to be stolen from inside your home by thieves fishing for them with a stick.
If you’re selling your car do not allow the keys out of your sight, thieves can clone them and use them later to steal your vehicle.
How to protect your keyless entry car
When at home keep your car key (and the spare) well away from the car.
Put the keys in a screened or signal-blocking pouch, such as a Faraday Bag and check if the bag or pouch is still working every few months.
Reprogramme your keys if you buy a second-hand car.
Turn off wireless signals on your fob when it’s not being used.
Be aware of carjackers
In traffic, drive with the doors locked and leave enough space in front of you to enable you to get out of a tight spot.
If your vehicle is bumped from behind, wait to pull over – somewhere safe and preferably where there are people.
If you’re at all suspicious, consider calling the police.
Park responsibly
It’s always advisable to avoid parking in dark and secluded areas.
It’s worth an extra five or ten-minute walk if it means your vehicle is left on a well-lit and busier street.
Watch for illegal tow trucks
Thieves often attempt to lift vehicles from the street, literally.
If you see a towaway crew acting suspiciously then report it to the police.
Fit good in-car security locks
install measures to prevent thieves from driving off with your car even if they were able to get into the vehicle.
It’s also worth speaking to your vehicle dealership about installing an aftermarket immobiliser.
Immobilisers prevent a vehicle from starting unless the correct fob, key or activation process is used.
Double-check electronic locking
Electronic devices can be used to jam the electronic signal from your key fob to lock your vehicle.
Always manually check your vehicle has locked before walking away.
Before owning, check for cloning
Changing the identity of a vehicle, known as vehicle cloning, can be as simple as adding stolen number plates.
When buying a vehicle, always check the DVLA V5 document and make sure the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the vehicle is the same as on the document.
Secure your port
Many modern vehicles are fitted with engine management diagnostic ports, which can unlock and start your vehicle.
If your vehicle has this type of port, consider fitting a lockable cover.
To avoid becoming a victim, make sure to compare the number plates on the motor with the details in the logbook.
Also, the experts say to look out for any inconsistencies in the font, colour or spacing of the number plate – as they can be an indicator that it has been cloned.
Buying a stolen car
Buying a stolen car is perhaps the greatest worry when going to a private seller.
Firstly, a potential buyer should get the vehicle’s reg number, car make, model and MOT test number, and the V5C vehicle registration certificate or log book.
Then, it’s simply a case of entering the information onto the government website to check whether the car you want to buy has been reported as stolen.
In addition, you can run the car’s registration number past the Police National Database.
This comes as shocking footage has emerged of thieves stealing a Mercedes from a driveway in the middle of the night after coming to view the car earlier the same day.
Elsewhere, fed up locals say a multi-million pound cycle lane has “killed their village” as it has made “parking impossible”.
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