The five scam tactics every private car seller should know about

Selling a car privately can be a great way to achieve the right price for your vehicle. Most buyers are genuine, but scammers are constantly evolving their tactics, so it’s important to know what warning signs to look for.

Cyber Security Action Month is a timely reminder that staying safe online isn't just important when shopping or banking. It matters when you're selling, too.

Here's how to recognise five common scam tactics, how carsales helps support sellers, and the practical steps you can take to stay secure.

One of the most common tactics targeting private sellers starts with what appears to be a genuine buyer enquiry.

A prospective buyer expresses strong interest in your vehicle, but before they're willing to proceed, they ask you to purchase a vehicle history report from a website they've selected. They may even offer to reimburse you for the cost after the sale.

It could sound like this:

Sellers may see an in-chat safety warning if a buyer appears to be pushing a third-party vehicle report website. carsales also works to identify suspicious activity designed to direct sellers to fraudulent services.

You never need to buy a vehicle report on behalf of a buyer.

If someone insists on a specific website you've never heard of, take a step back and question why. A legitimate buyer shouldn't pressure you to purchase a report from a provider they've selected.

Scammers often try to move conversations off carsales. They may ask you to continue the conversation on WhatsApp, text message or email, claiming it's easier or more convenient.

Messages can sound harmless:

Messages containing email addresses, external links or known scam indicators may be stopped before they reach sellers. Sellers can also communicate with buyers through the carsales app and make use of in-app calls.

Keep conversations within carsales messaging wherever possible.

If a buyer immediately pushes to switch platforms, treat it as a potential warning sign and consider why they're reluctant to continue the conversation where it started.

Payment-related scams come in many forms, but they often involve requests to use external payment services or transfer funds outside standard transaction processes.

The buyer may create a sense of urgency, encouraging you to act quickly so you don't miss out on the sale.

Pay through carsales* holds funds securely until handover. After you create an ad, buyers can send you an offer or you can request payment from them1. We don't charge any fees and you can cancel anytime before funds are released. When it’s time to get paid, the buyer pays you from their carsales wallet at pick-up. After you accept the funds, it lands in your bank account usually within seconds2!

Be cautious if a buyer wants to use an unfamiliar payment platform or asks you to complete additional steps through a link they've sent. Get paid through carsales.*

Not every remote buyer is suspicious. However, extra caution is worthwhile if someone wants to purchase your vehicle without viewing it, or if they won’t speak with you over the phone.

Scammers often focus on closing the transaction as quickly as possible while avoiding direct interaction.

Buyers are required to verify their identity when paying through carsales*, and sellers can report or block buyers directly from the chat if something doesn't feel right.

Speak to the buyer and then when you can, meet and arrange an inspection before handing over the vehicle.

If someone refuses a phone conversation, avoids reasonable questions or seems unusually eager to complete the transaction sight unseen, take a second and proceed carefully.

In this scenario, a buyer may claim that a courier, freight company or escrow service will handle payment or vehicle collection.

They might ask you to pay a fee upfront, with assurances that you'll be reimbursed later as part of the transaction.

External links may be blocked before reaching sellers, and suspicious activity can be reviewed by the Trust & Safety team.

Be cautious of courier, freight or escrow services arranged solely by the buyer.

Never pay upfront fees to third parties on the promise that you'll be reimbursed later.

If the arrangement feels unnecessarily complicated or rushed, it's worth pausing and verifying details before proceeding.

Before completing a sale, remember these five principles:

Scammers often rely on urgency, distraction and trust. Taking a moment to pause, verify information and question unusual requests can go a long way towards protecting yourself.

Most vehicle sales happen without issue, but understanding the warning signs can help you sell with greater confidence and focus on connecting with genuine buyers.

For more advice, head to our safer with carsales page.

*Pay through carsales T&Cs apply.

1Use of Pay through carsales is subject to the Pay through carsales T&Cs, vehicle eligibility criteria, and completion of an ID verification process. Pay through carsales transactions are final only when the buyer and seller agree to release funds at the time of vehicle handover, and may be cancelled by either buyer or seller (without any fees from carsales) at any time prior to the release of funds. 2Transfer times can be affected by a range of factors. See Annexure C of T&Cs for details.