Guest Post written by Cor
Watch out used car scammers, Captain Scam Buster is coming to getcha! Tehehe, I know, I know, it's kind of corny, but honestly, I found it to be pretty reassuring that Trusted Car Dealers UK has a whole section of its site dedicated to myth busting and educating buyers against potential scams.
The group, which is owned and run by the dealers who advertise on it (something like 1300 trusted dealers) has come up with its own hokey cartoon character to represent its goal to put an end to the bamboozling of innocent car shoppers. They even offer a guide to buying a used car that exposes common scams as completely free download. I am firm believer that knowledge is power, and the best weapon a buyer can have is to know the warning signs, and be informed about what smart shopping should look like.
One thing I have dealt with for as long as I have been driving (perhaps because I am woman) is car dealers who are looking for any sign of weakness, any hint that you might not really know what you are looking at, (assuming you are not dealing with a reputable dealership) and they will be all over it before you even have a chance to blink. I knew about certain scams, like the turning back of the speedometer, or even the selling of cars that were actually stolen, but I was pretty shocked an appalled when I started reading about shoppers who were set up to be mugged and robbed (sometimes even beaten) when going to meet supposed “sellers” with cash in hand to buy a car.
I knew that buying a used car came with financial risks, but I had no idea that it might come with physical risks! Everyone looking to buy a car new or used (especially used), should arm themselves with the knowledge and power to protect themselves and get the best deal possible!
