Non-genuine vehicle adverts are rare on DoneDeal—but because buying a vehicle is a big decision, it’s important to know what to look out for.
These scams are carefully designed to appear convincing at first glance. Understanding the common patterns makes them much easier to avoid.
How a fake vehicle advert typically works
Step 1: A new account lists a vehicle
A non-genuine seller creates a new DoneDeal account and quickly posts an advert for a vehicle.
Common signs include:
A recently created profile
No seller history or reviews
Very limited detail beyond the basics
Step 2: The price looks unusually good
The vehicle is often:
Priced below market value
Described as “excellent condition” or “perfect”
Marketed as a quick sale
This creates urgency and encourages buyers to move fast before thinking things through.
🚩 A genuine vehicle priced well below similar listings deserves extra scrutiny.
Step 3: Key details are missing from the ad
Fake vehicle adverts often avoid including information that can be checked.
Watch for:
Registration plates not visible in photos
Stock images or reused photos
Short, vague descriptions with no ownership or service detail
Missing details make it harder for buyers to verify the vehicle.
Step 4: Messaging is switched off
In many cases, the seller disables DoneDeal’s message centre and provides only a phone number.
This means:
You can’t message them on-platform
Conversations happen off DoneDeal
An important layer of protection is removed
🚩 Genuine sellers are usually happy to communicate through DoneDeal.
Step 5: Payment is requested before the vehicle is handed over
The seller may:
Invite you to view or test drive the vehicle
Ask for money to be sent in advance
Request cash before handing over the keys
They may claim this is to:
“Hold” the vehicle
Confirm you’re serious
Cover insurance or paperwork
Once money changes hands, the seller may disappear—or the vehicle may never have existed in the first place.
How to protect yourself
Be cautious with new accounts
A newly created account selling a high-value vehicle at a low price is a known scam pattern. Take extra precautions.
Use DoneDeal messaging
Always try to communicate through the DoneDeal message centre.
If messaging is disabled or the seller insists on phone-only contact, pause and understand the precautions you need to take.
Never send money before ownership is confirmed
You should never:
Transfer money before seeing documents
Pay deposits to strangers
Hand over cash without verified ownership
Take your time
A genuine seller will understand that buying a vehicle takes care and consideration.
Why fake vehicle adverts are extremely rare on DoneDeal
DoneDeal Cars is built differently to general marketplaces, with multiple layers of protection designed specifically for high-value purchases.
Here’s what we do behind the scenes:
Advanced fraud detection flags suspicious behaviour and removes non-genuine accounts early
Ad moderation reviews vehicle listings to prevent misleading or fake content
Phone number and account limits reduce the ability to create repeat scam profiles
User reports are prioritised, fast-tracked and reviewed by specialist teams
Trusted Dealer listings offer verified businesses, clear pricing, reviews, warranties and history checks
These protections mean fake vehicle adverts are exceptionally uncommon—and when they do appear, they’re usually removed quickly.
The safest way to buy
Wherever possible, buying from a Trusted Dealer on DoneDeal gives you peace of mind as standard:
Verified sellers
Transparent listings
Backup that matters—like warranties, reviews and history checks
It’s the most reliable way to buy with confidence.
If something doesn’t feel right
Stop the process and report the ad through the Help Centre.
We’ll investigate quickly and take action where needed.
Buying a car should feel exciting—not uncertain.
With the right checks and the right protections, it can feel exactly as it should.
Contact Us
If you have any further questions or would like to chat, please reach out to our Customer Support team.