In today’s society there are more and more dangers and potential scams that anyone can fall for, especially when dealing with things online. The Motor Industry is no different, and with cars often being high value and changing hands regularly, they are a potential target to many fraudsters.
Scrap car scams in the UK
Car scams are on the rise in the UK, with the DVLA reporting a 20% increase in reported cases in the last 3 months of 2019 alone. Knowing what to look out for and only dealing with a trusted and reputable company like us here at Scrap Car Comparison means you can protect yourself.
There are different types of car scams in the UK and different pitfalls to look out for. There is obviously the financial concerns of losing out to a scam, but there is also the safety aspect of cars being sold on in a dangerous condition or even having your car used for criminal activity.
One thing a lot of people do not realise is that you, the previous owner of a vehicle can still be held liable for any criminal activity that takes place in your car. If you sell your car, and the correct paperwork isn’t completed, you still remain responsible for what happens to it. This could mean you facing fines or having to prove you were not driving the car when the offence happened.
When selling a car, you always should be extra careful of offers that are too good to be true. If someone is offering a lot more for your vehicle then other quotes, or offering big prices without any information about the vehicle, then tread carefully. What ever offers you do receive, make sure that they are in writing and always be absolutely clear on how you will receive your money. Buy using a professional company like us, you will always have the peace of mind that you are protected from this.
How to avoid scrap car scams
Do some Research
It always pays to do your research first. If you’re selling or scrapping your car, you should look into the background of the company you are dealing with.
Do they have a physical address? Are they listed in telephone directories? Do they have an established online presence? What are their reviews like?
Asking these questions will give you a good indication of how legitimate a business is.
Keep it Professional
By working with a professional service like us, you can avoid a lot of the pitfalls out there when selling a car to an unknown buyer. A trusted and vetted buyer, like all the ones we use at Scrap Car Comparison, would also be able to guide you through all the paperwork from a legal point of view and know what both you and they are required to do.
Get Paid for you vehicle
This might seem like an obvious one, but make sure you know how you are getting your money before ownership of your vehicle is transferred. Most buyers now will pay by a bank transfer, as cash payments became illegal in 2013. Never give out any of your card information and make sure you know and understand the payment process before proceeding.
Get your Paperwork in Order
Whenever any vehicle is sold it is always the sellers’ responsibility to inform the DVLA that the registered keeper has changed. Once the car has been sold you should let them know as soon as possible to avoid any potential issues with you remaining liable for it. This can be done either online or with the V5C by post. At Scrap Car Comparison, we only work with trusted buyers who will guide you through this process completely and our expert team just a phone call away if you need us.
Get a Certificate of Destruction
Certificates of Destruction are not a legal requirement.
If you are disposing of your car with a registered Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF), then they will be able to provide you with a Certificate of Destruction, or COD should you wish to have one for your peace of mind.
This confirms to you that the vehicle has been destroyed and cannot go back on the road.
Read here for more information on certificates of destruction.
Here at Scrap Car Comparison, we work with vetted and professional buyers who have all been checked for quality of service and customers satisfaction. When you enter your registration and post code into our Scrap Car Calculator, you can be certain you will receive quotes from trusted and reliable buyers who can scrap your car in a hassle-free way.
All of the quotes are guaranteed prices with no hidden charges, and you will also get free collection from our professional buyers. If you would like to see what you can get for your scrap car from local and vetted buyers in your area, use our quote form or get in touch with our UK experts on 03333 44 99 50.
