Car swap. Possible scam? Please help!

[Dangerous Dan]

oldcynic said:

I suspect you're better off selling your car for actual money and buying the car you want with money. May be a genuine deal but there's every chance the Clio's a lemon and you'll either lose out big time or at least waste a full day and a tank of petrol. Worse if it's a full-on scam and the Clio's ringed or something.

If you're seriously considering it, could you arrange an independent inspection of the Clio before travelling? At the very least you'll know that you're travelling with a purpose.

Surprised that someone is so keen to arrange a swap for an unseen vehicle - suggests that they have nothing to lose - especially if you do all the travelling.

+1

Sell for actual money is what I'd do. That or, in my case, part exchange against a car I want to buy.

Smells dodgy to me, I wouldn't want to risk it personally.

[shovelheadrob]

I got caught once, advertised a car in Auto Trader, man phones says would I be interested in his car, ( worth about 25% more than mine), says he has just bought it & realised that it is not comfortable for him to drive due to disability. I said I would not part with cash, so he says if he likes my car then he would be prepared to do straight swap. I had car checked out, everything is clean. So he comes round & we do the swap. Put his ( now mine) car in AT get phone call from previous owner (before Mr Disabled) says that the car is still his as he had been duped into parting with it by some disabled guy who had left another vehicle with him as security, registered to someone else & disappeared with his car, said that the police had not been interested as he had given the guy the car, the keys & the paperwork! I called the police & they became interested, told me not to drive it anywhere or dispose of it as it was now evidence, although they didn't take it away. After a couple of weeks I was told it was mine & that there was a civil case between the original owner & Mr Disabled.
Bottom line, if it looks to good to be true, it probably is.

[fwaggie]

LS6wetdream said:

MoonMonkey said:

Ring dealer ask him to swap the clio for the scooby and let him take the risk.

+1

+1

If the dealer is happy to swap the Clio for a BMW, they might be happy to do a swap for the Scooby? If not, sell it for cash. There'll always be another car you fancy in the classifieds next week.

I wouldn't do a three way swap, far too many opportunities for something to go wrong and leave you car less.

[NumberoftheBeast]

Ok, not wanting an awkward conversation, I sent him an e-mail clearly stating my stance and saying that I didn't want to swap given the risks involved. I will keep you informed.

Thanks to all for the anecdotes and advice.

[Cost Captain]

So the guy with the BMW swaps for the Clio, you turn up and don't want the clio based on any of a million factors.

It's a clio, they made quite a few, I'm sure one will turn up that fits your requirements.

[NumberoftheBeast]

Yeah I am not bothered about missing out on a Clio. I won't be losing any sleep. I might reduce the Scoob by a bit (again) in an attempt to get a cash sale.

[NumberoftheBeast]

I have had a nice reply saying thanks and that he is still going to go ahead with the Clio if the DVLA check he has organised comes back ok.

Stress over for me.

I have reduced the WRX now and I will take it from there.

Cheers.