Non-genuine vehicle adverts are rare on DoneDeal Cars.
But because buying a vehicle is a significant purchase, it’s important to know what to look out for.
Suspicious activity is often designed to look convincing at first glance. Understanding the common patterns makes them much easier to avoid.
How a non-genuine 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
A lack of background doesn’t always mean something is wrong — but it does mean you should proceed carefully.
Step 2: The price looks unusually good
The vehicle is often:
Priced below similar listings
Described as “excellent” or “perfect” with little evidence
Marketed as a quick or urgent sale
This creates pressure to move fast.
🚩 A car priced far below market value deserves extra scrutiny.
Step 3: Key details are missing
Non-genuine 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
No ownership or service detail
Missing details make it harder for buyers to verify the vehicle.
Step 4: Messaging is switched off
Sometimes the DoneDeal message centre is disabled and only a phone number is provided.
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 early
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 car at a low price is a known warning pattern.
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 consider your next step carefully.
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 non-genuine car adverts are extremely rare on DoneDeal Cars
DoneDeal Cars is built differently to general marketplaces, with layers of protection designed specifically for high-value purchases.
Behind the scenes we use:
Advanced fraud detection flags suspicious behaviour and removes non-genuine accounts early
Ad moderation reviews vehicle listings to prevent misleading content
Account and phone number controls to prevent repeat misuse
Fast-tracked user reports reviewed by specialist teams
The Trusted Dealer Programme, highlighting verified businesses with warranties, reviews and history checks
These protections mean non-genuine car adverts are exceptionally uncommon — and when they do appear, they are 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 advert.
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.