Car sale - buyer from abroad - scam?
Discussion
It has been a long time since I sold a car privately. I have an advert on Autotrader and have been contacted by someone in Ireland. I am in England, nowhere near any airports.
They sound genuine enough but I have to wonder why they want to come all the way from Ireland to buy my not so special or rare car that, while fairly cheap compared to other similar cars, is not necessarily in the best condition. I am by no means suggesting that people can't travel to another country to buy a car but it's the fact that they were suggesting bringing almost £10k cash in the plane to pay for it (I suggested a bank transfer would be safer for everyone involved) and seem to want to come over ASAP. I have also been contacted by two people - nephew and Uncle. Uncle was calling on the nephew's behalf apparently but then I had almost the exact same conversation with the nephew later.
Is there a particular scam to look out for here or am I being over cautious? I hope it's genuine!
Also, when someone comes by to look at the car and it has keyless entry, is there anything I need to do to stay safe? It wouldn't be hard for someone to jump in and start the car then drive off. The engine won't cut out even if the key isn't in it, it just shows a warning on the screen. Have I got to unlock it then leave the key in a faraday pouch?
I know I'm paranoid.
They sound genuine enough but I have to wonder why they want to come all the way from Ireland to buy my not so special or rare car that, while fairly cheap compared to other similar cars, is not necessarily in the best condition. I am by no means suggesting that people can't travel to another country to buy a car but it's the fact that they were suggesting bringing almost £10k cash in the plane to pay for it (I suggested a bank transfer would be safer for everyone involved) and seem to want to come over ASAP. I have also been contacted by two people - nephew and Uncle. Uncle was calling on the nephew's behalf apparently but then I had almost the exact same conversation with the nephew later.
Is there a particular scam to look out for here or am I being over cautious? I hope it's genuine!
Also, when someone comes by to look at the car and it has keyless entry, is there anything I need to do to stay safe? It wouldn't be hard for someone to jump in and start the car then drive off. The engine won't cut out even if the key isn't in it, it just shows a warning on the screen. Have I got to unlock it then leave the key in a faraday pouch?
I know I'm paranoid.
I don’t think it’s necessarily a scam if the buyer is coming from abroad. I once sold a Mitsubishi Shogun on eBay, auction ended on a Wednesday morning and I got a message from the winner saying he was coming from Romania and would be here at 4pm on Thursday with the cash to pay for it. All the alarm bells started ringing and I was ready for resisting it, but decided to wait until Monday so my weekend wouldn’t be full of ‘wots best price 4 cash m8’.
Was very surprised that at 4pm the next day there was a knock on the door and a big Romanian chap there with an envelope full of cash. Really nice chap, walked round the car, started it up and signed the logbook then drove it back to Romania.
The most straightforward car sale I’ve ever had!
That was about 10 years ago though, and considering the amount of scams going round I’d be very wary nowadays...
Was very surprised that at 4pm the next day there was a knock on the door and a big Romanian chap there with an envelope full of cash. Really nice chap, walked round the car, started it up and signed the logbook then drove it back to Romania.
The most straightforward car sale I’ve ever had!
That was about 10 years ago though, and considering the amount of scams going round I’d be very wary nowadays...
WarrenB said:
I don’t think it’s necessarily a scam if the buyer is coming from abroad. I once sold a Mitsubishi Shogun on eBay, auction ended on a Wednesday morning and I got a message from the winner saying he was coming from Romania and would be here at 4pm on Thursday with the cash to pay for it. All the alarm bells started ringing and I was ready for resisting it, but decided to wait until Monday so my weekend wouldn’t be full of ‘wots best price 4 cash m8’.
Was very surprised that at 4pm the next day there was a knock on the door and a big Romanian chap there with an envelope full of cash. Really nice chap, walked round the car, started it up and signed the logbook then drove it back to Romania.
The most straightforward car sale I’ve ever had!
That was about 10 years ago though, and considering the amount of scams going round I’d be very wary nowadays...
I'd like to think they'd turn up, have a nice cup of tea, pay up and drive home but I'm still slightly concerned. Minefield these days!Was very surprised that at 4pm the next day there was a knock on the door and a big Romanian chap there with an envelope full of cash. Really nice chap, walked round the car, started it up and signed the logbook then drove it back to Romania.
The most straightforward car sale I’ve ever had!
That was about 10 years ago though, and considering the amount of scams going round I’d be very wary nowadays...
Also around 10 years ago I had a guy fly in from Holland to buy an old P38 for sub £3k. I think I got a small bank transfer deposit then the rest in cash. Drove a few miles to a train station to pick him and his wife home then on the way back swapped seats so he drove back to my house.
I have travelled to England and furthest for me was Aberdeen, that was a flight to Glasgow and a train/bus to get there. I have bought easy 6/7 cars from England and Scotland, Ranging from £4K private to £40k from a main dealer.
The trip can be done in less than 24 hours and you can make a weekend of it if you have the time.
The trip can be done in less than 24 hours and you can make a weekend of it if you have the time.
My last 2 cars sold internationally.
My RX7 FD was bought on eBay buy a guy from Croatia. I initially thought it was a scam, but he paid by bank transfer the next day. A few days later he got on a plane, then took a train to my local station where I picked him up. Looked round the car, signed everything and off he went; drove it all the way back to Croatia!!
Similar happened with my 350z, also on eBay. Guy from France messaged and asked if I could drive it to Portsmouth Ferry terminal. I agreed, he paid via bank transfer and I met him at the terminal. He literally got off the ferry, signed the paperwork, grabbed the keys and joined the queue to head back on the next ferry!
Both were the smoothest, most stress free car sales I've ever had. Would gladly sell internationally rather than locally now!
My RX7 FD was bought on eBay buy a guy from Croatia. I initially thought it was a scam, but he paid by bank transfer the next day. A few days later he got on a plane, then took a train to my local station where I picked him up. Looked round the car, signed everything and off he went; drove it all the way back to Croatia!!
Similar happened with my 350z, also on eBay. Guy from France messaged and asked if I could drive it to Portsmouth Ferry terminal. I agreed, he paid via bank transfer and I met him at the terminal. He literally got off the ferry, signed the paperwork, grabbed the keys and joined the queue to head back on the next ferry!
Both were the smoothest, most stress free car sales I've ever had. Would gladly sell internationally rather than locally now!
The vast majority of car buyers from abroad are genuine. It's sometimes hard for us to work out their motives but everyone has their reasons.
I certainly wouldn't accept an envelope full of cash for someone to drive away in a car these days but even those are often genuine.
A mate of mine in Romania was desperate to come over to buy a 20 year old XJ6 which took me a lot of effort to talk him out of as even from the advert I could see it was a pile of crap.
I certainly wouldn't accept an envelope full of cash for someone to drive away in a car these days but even those are often genuine.
A mate of mine in Romania was desperate to come over to buy a 20 year old XJ6 which took me a lot of effort to talk him out of as even from the advert I could see it was a pile of crap.
When I sold my petrol 3.2 A6 (C6) a few years ago it was also ebay and sold to a chap from Ukraine.
He said he would arrive on X day at Y time and asked if I minded storing it till then - paid a hefty deposit via paypal - I didnt mind as it was garaged away from the house.
Exactly as he stated, he arrived with a car transporter. He was collecting 12 cars to take back - all large saloons for use as taxis / executive hires over there.
I was his 4th pickup, working his way south from scotland.
He saw I had a couple of spare bumpers, an interior set, a couple of sets of wheels and a few other bits and bobs in the garage for the A6 as well and offered me a decent cash sum for the lot there and then - I accpeted, he threw them in the boot and insides of the other cars and loaded up, handed me a wedge of cash in a scruffy brown envelope and off he went.
They arent all scams.
He said he would arrive on X day at Y time and asked if I minded storing it till then - paid a hefty deposit via paypal - I didnt mind as it was garaged away from the house.
Exactly as he stated, he arrived with a car transporter. He was collecting 12 cars to take back - all large saloons for use as taxis / executive hires over there.
I was his 4th pickup, working his way south from scotland.
He saw I had a couple of spare bumpers, an interior set, a couple of sets of wheels and a few other bits and bobs in the garage for the A6 as well and offered me a decent cash sum for the lot there and then - I accpeted, he threw them in the boot and insides of the other cars and loaded up, handed me a wedge of cash in a scruffy brown envelope and off he went.
They arent all scams.
To add to the stories of it’s probably ok, about 8 years ago I sold my wife’s SLK to a chap from Biarritz in France. He paid me a small deposit to hold it, jumped on a plane to Stansted, I picked him up.. he checked the car over... handed over the cash and drove it back to France. Apparently some cars are a lot cheaper over here... exchange rate probably helped.
GreatGranny said:
Not sure what duty or tax they have to pay over there on imported cars but I know for an Irish registered car, tax is very expensive.
Definitely pay the cash into your bank before you hand over the keys and sign the paperwork.
Yes, definitely this. Definitely pay the cash into your bank before you hand over the keys and sign the paperwork.
I'm not sayig they are, but they might be fully paid up members of the Irish Caravan Enthusiasts Club. If they do pay cash, you need to ensure it's genuine so get it paid in before they go anywhere. Also, if they turn up with Euros, make sure the bank is happy with them too.
I do know that cars are generally more expensive in the Republic, and their equivalent of VED is extortionate. It used to be, especially amongst the aforementioned club, that they'd buy a UK registered car and drive it around untaxed, no MOT, etc hoping the Garda didn't pull them over. Not sure if that is still the case.
Acehood said:
It has been a long time since I sold a car privately. I have an advert on Autotrader and have been contacted by someone in Ireland. I am in England, nowhere near any airports.
They sound genuine enough but I have to wonder why they want to come all the way from Ireland to buy my not so special or rare car that, while fairly cheap compared to other similar cars, is not necessarily in the best condition. I am by no means suggesting that people can't travel to another country to buy a car but it's the fact that they were suggesting bringing almost £10k cash in the plane to pay for it (I suggested a bank transfer would be safer for everyone involved) and seem to want to come over ASAP. I have also been contacted by two people - nephew and Uncle. Uncle was calling on the nephew's behalf apparently but then I had almost the exact same conversation with the nephew later.
Is there a particular scam to look out for here or am I being over cautious? I hope it's genuine!
Also, when someone comes by to look at the car and it has keyless entry, is there anything I need to do to stay safe? It wouldn't be hard for someone to jump in and start the car then drive off. The engine won't cut out even if the key isn't in it, it just shows a warning on the screen. Have I got to unlock it then leave the key in a faraday pouch?
I know I'm paranoid.
Not unusual. Some cars are cheaper on the mainland than in Northern Ireland, maybe by a couple of thousand on a £10K car. From Ireland it could be even more.They sound genuine enough but I have to wonder why they want to come all the way from Ireland to buy my not so special or rare car that, while fairly cheap compared to other similar cars, is not necessarily in the best condition. I am by no means suggesting that people can't travel to another country to buy a car but it's the fact that they were suggesting bringing almost £10k cash in the plane to pay for it (I suggested a bank transfer would be safer for everyone involved) and seem to want to come over ASAP. I have also been contacted by two people - nephew and Uncle. Uncle was calling on the nephew's behalf apparently but then I had almost the exact same conversation with the nephew later.
Is there a particular scam to look out for here or am I being over cautious? I hope it's genuine!
Also, when someone comes by to look at the car and it has keyless entry, is there anything I need to do to stay safe? It wouldn't be hard for someone to jump in and start the car then drive off. The engine won't cut out even if the key isn't in it, it just shows a warning on the screen. Have I got to unlock it then leave the key in a faraday pouch?
I know I'm paranoid.
I got a year old Modus for my FIL a few years back from a dealer in Liverpool. Had it shipped over with a haulier. Saved approx £2,000 and that was an £8K car.
paulg390 said:
To add to the stories of it’s probably ok, about 8 years ago I sold my wife’s SLK to a chap from Biarritz in France. He paid me a small deposit to hold it, jumped on a plane to Stansted, I picked him up.. he checked the car over... handed over the cash and drove it back to France. Apparently some cars are a lot cheaper over here... exchange rate probably helped.
Compared to the continent, basically every car in the UK is cheaper. Specially if they are British cars. To the OP, the reason he wants to pay cash is probably a matter of safety for him. I'm also not sure I would be comfortable wiring 10K to another country and somebody I don't know. Pay and get the goods on the spot.
In any case do as everybody is saying. Get the money in the bank before handing the keys. Maybe meet up at your bank parking lot, he checks the car, if he is ok with it, go inside the bank, collect the pay from him, go to the cashier and hand the money to the bank. Then hand him the keys.
If you are really worried, meet up at a busy hour of the day, bring a couple of friends and ask them to watch from afar.
But in all it will probably be fine.
I'm Irish. I'm not a 
nor are 99.99% of us. I've bought numerous cars in the UK as generally the choice is better, the specs are better, bigger engines, generally better taken care of etc. I've paid cash Everytime (apart from 1 where I paid £8k with credit card as they couldn't take cash) I have paid with cash. I have left small deposits but would never do a bank transfer for the car in case it's a basket case. About 30% of the cars on our roads are imports from UK so it's not unusual.
You have the same risk as if selling to any stranger.
nor are 99.99% of us. I've bought numerous cars in the UK as generally the choice is better, the specs are better, bigger engines, generally better taken care of etc. I've paid cash Everytime (apart from 1 where I paid £8k with credit card as they couldn't take cash) I have paid with cash. I have left small deposits but would never do a bank transfer for the car in case it's a basket case. About 30% of the cars on our roads are imports from UK so it's not unusual.You have the same risk as if selling to any stranger.
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff