When you think of used car scams, your mind probably goes to dishonest sellers rolling back the odometer or otherwise trying to trick hapless buyers into purchasing a lemon.
One new scam takes a different twist, though: sellers being scammed by buyers — and not in the usual way, like with fake cashier’s checks or other phony payment methods.
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Instead, scammers have come up with a much more creative way to swindle those looking to offload their used vehicles.
Sean Pour with SellMax, which buys used and damaged cars, told 10 on Your Side that he has seen an uptick in the number of cases where supposed "buyers" intentionally damage vehicles to try to convince sellers to hand them over for less.
Here’s how the scam works, along with tips on protecting yourself from falling victim.
Scammers trick car sellers into thinking there’s a problem
According to 10 on Your Side, the new car sale scam takes place when scammers pose as buyers and arrange to come see a car that’s listed for sale by a private owner.
"They work in teams," Pour said. "One person will distract you by asking to see the car title or something about the vehicle, and the other person will quickly pour oil into the coolant reservoir and pour it around the engine of the car. It causes the car to smoke, and what this means is typically a blown head gasket or some other major issue with the car. They try to pressure people into selling the car at a lower price point."
Unfortunately, there’s a serious risk sellers will end up falling for this — even those who don’t fall for it can still end up out of money.
One victim, who wanted to remain anonymous, explained how this happened.
"As soon as they pulled up, I could see three guys in the van. I told my wife immediately, shut the garage and don’t come outside,” he told 10 on Your Side. “I just knew I was not in a good situation."
The victim said one of the scammers pulled out cash to "buy" the car, while the others poured the coolant on the engine before telling him there was a problem — and not taking no for an answer.
"They’re very pushy, and I just was in a bad spot, so I’m like ‘cars not for sale, get out of here’ but they wouldn’t leave," he said. "They could have easily pushed someone into just going, ‘just take the car.’"
While the victim didn’t fall for their scam, it still cost him $500 to repair the vehicle before he could sell it to someone else.
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How to avoid falling victim to a similar scam
Unfortunately, if you’re selling a vehicle on your own, you’re probably going to have to meet with potential buyers to do it. That puts you at risk of scams like this one. And with ongoing vehicle expenses like car insurance already potentially increasing by 8% by the end of 2025, you can’t afford a bad deal.
So, 10 on Your Side spoke to police for advice, and they advised meeting in public. Because many departments have designated public safety spaces for these types of meetups, you can reduce the likelihood of scammers even showing up. They may be less likely to try their tricks if you’re meeting in an area regularly patrolled by law enforcement.
Police also suggest reporting the incident so law enforcement officials can investigate the scam and warn others.
When you meet with a "buyer," it’s also a good idea to have someone else with you. They can watch the potential buyer at all times in case others try to distract you. If multiple people show up to "buy" a car and look suspicious, it’s also best to put an end to the transaction immediately rather than taking a chance and letting them near your vehicle.
Selling through a marketplace that helps you vet potential buyers can also be helpful, as can asking buyers to see their ID before you let them near the car.
Lastly, consider documenting all of the potential issues with your car and even getting a mechanic to check it over. That way, if something appears to go wrong after contact with a "buyer," you won’t be tricked by false reports of a problem.
With the average used car priced at just over $25,000 as of May 2025 according to CarEdge, it’s worth protecting yourself if you’re trying to sell your vehicle.
You can’t afford to lose hundreds or even thousands to a successful scam, and taking these steps will help ensure that doesn’t happen to you.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
