Buy and sell safely

The vast majority of sellers and buyers are honest. But a few simple habits are enough to beat almost every scam.

• visibilitySee the vehicle before you payNever pay a deposit, however small, to ‘reserve’ a vehicle you haven’t seen. Fraudsters often offer delivery by a haulier.
• descriptionCheck the paperworkRegistration document (carte grise) in the seller’s name, a HistoVec report (the official, free French service) for history and accident records, and the roadworthiness test (contrôle technique), plus the VASP ‘magasin’ (shop) entry for a food truck.
• paymentsPay safelyA banker’s draft checked with the issuing bank, or an instant bank transfer when the keys are handed over. Never cash money orders, vouchers (PCS, Transcash…) or transfers abroad.
• sms_failedNever share a codeA code received by text message, a photo of your bank card or a ‘secure payment’ link sent by message are classic scams.

The most common scams

• The seller abroad who offers delivery after a deposit.
• The buyer who sends ‘too much’ money and asks you to refund the difference.
• A fake payment or delivery website sent as a link.
• A request for a code received by text message ‘to confirm the payment’.

Unsure about an ad?

Use the ‘Report this ad’ button on its page, or contact us. We will never ask you for a payment by message or for a confirmation code. If you’re the victim of a scam, report it to the police and on THESEE, the French government’s official platform, or call 0 805 805 817 (Info Escroqueries, free from French phones).