Facebook marketplace ads
Discussion
I'm looking for a replacement runaround and I'm trying to dodge the dealers, I don't want to pay a premium for a low spec, cheap car which suits my needs. I've been off Facebook for a while, having reactivated my account all the car ads seem to look like a scam to me. Cars that are seemingly ridiculously underpriced, then with generic wording like this: "Beautiful drive! Very low mileage!
Runs and Drives Perfect, zero issues! Really good shape, never had any problems with it, no scratches or dents. I always kept it in garage, no rust, original paint, no accidents . It is a non-smoker, non-pets in this car. Super clean inside and out." What are people's experiences with Marketplace as a cheap car hunting ground? Just quite keen to hear the stories. Surely not everyone keeps their car in a garage! Sometimes the same seller claims to have kept about a dozen generic hatchbacks in theirs, ha ha
Runs and Drives Perfect, zero issues! Really good shape, never had any problems with it, no scratches or dents. I always kept it in garage, no rust, original paint, no accidents . It is a non-smoker, non-pets in this car. Super clean inside and out." What are people's experiences with Marketplace as a cheap car hunting ground? Just quite keen to hear the stories. Surely not everyone keeps their car in a garage! Sometimes the same seller claims to have kept about a dozen generic hatchbacks in theirs, ha ha
I bought a car via FB in 2020. Was absolutely fine and very reasonably priced.
There are scammers and cheats on there (and Gumtree as neither site automatically flag up Cat Ss etc like Autotrader) and dealers masquerading as private sellers but do your due diligence as you would with any private sale and I’d not rule it out.
There are scammers and cheats on there (and Gumtree as neither site automatically flag up Cat Ss etc like Autotrader) and dealers masquerading as private sellers but do your due diligence as you would with any private sale and I’d not rule it out.
The scam adverts are obvious.
I.e 2019 Honda Jazz for £2000 or a 2022 BMW M4 for £15,000 is not going to happen.
If unsure, look at the profile of the seller.
Scammers will have multiple cars listed, usually using a hacked account. Retired Deidre from Skegness is not going to be selling RS4s in her spare time.
Message the seller, arrange a viewing. Don't hand any money over until you have actually seen the car.
I.e 2019 Honda Jazz for £2000 or a 2022 BMW M4 for £15,000 is not going to happen.
If unsure, look at the profile of the seller.
Scammers will have multiple cars listed, usually using a hacked account. Retired Deidre from Skegness is not going to be selling RS4s in her spare time.
Message the seller, arrange a viewing. Don't hand any money over until you have actually seen the car.
iamthelurker said:
I'm looking for a replacement runaround and I'm trying to dodge the dealers, I don't want to pay a premium for a low spec, cheap car which suits my needs. I've been off Facebook for a while, having reactivated my account all the car ads seem to look like a scam to me. Cars that are seemingly ridiculously underpriced, then with generic wording like this: "Beautiful drive! Very low mileage!
Runs and Drives Perfect, zero issues! Really good shape, never had any problems with it, no scratches or dents. I always kept it in garage, no rust, original paint, no accidents . It is a non-smoker, non-pets in this car. Super clean inside and out." What are people's experiences with Marketplace as a cheap car hunting ground? Just quite keen to hear the stories. Surely not everyone keeps their car in a garage! Sometimes the same seller claims to have kept about a dozen generic hatchbacks in theirs, ha ha
Around 80% of the ads are scams. Usually sussed out by what you've said, and the obvious unpronounceable foreign name of the seller who will have some fluffy "life quotes" as their profile front page with everything else locked down. Of the remaining 20%, half are cat and the remaining 10% are legit. Don't expect to get any sense of the legit sellers as simple questions like is it petrol or diesel, manual or auto seem to completely baffle them and have no idea what you are asking. There are a few gems on there but finding them is like looking for a needle in a haystack.Runs and Drives Perfect, zero issues! Really good shape, never had any problems with it, no scratches or dents. I always kept it in garage, no rust, original paint, no accidents . It is a non-smoker, non-pets in this car. Super clean inside and out." What are people's experiences with Marketplace as a cheap car hunting ground? Just quite keen to hear the stories. Surely not everyone keeps their car in a garage! Sometimes the same seller claims to have kept about a dozen generic hatchbacks in theirs, ha ha
Depends what you are looking for.
A few searches I've put in result in a lot of scam adverts.
Other searches result in a lot of genuine adverts for cars which mostly need recycling.
Not just cars, but also home and leisure items.
Some of the same scam car ads also spotted on ebay.
I don't see how anyone benefits from most of these dodgy ads?
A few searches I've put in result in a lot of scam adverts.
Other searches result in a lot of genuine adverts for cars which mostly need recycling.
Not just cars, but also home and leisure items.
Some of the same scam car ads also spotted on ebay.
I don't see how anyone benefits from most of these dodgy ads?
OutInTheShed said:
I don't see how anyone benefits from most of these dodgy ads?
They want you to transfer them a deposit or the full amount, then they bugger off. The scams are obvious, but I recall someone on here being done by one in the past year, saw a Q5 or something for like £7k and transferred them the money beforehand.
I'd not hesitate to buy a cheap runabout from there. Bought a BMW bike off marketplace in October for £800 and I'm very happy with it. Turn up and view the car and if it all looks legit can't see why you'd have an issue.
Lots and lots of scams on Facebook marketplace and it seems to be worse for particular cars,
Normally easy to spot as the seller normally has loads of reasonably priced or ridiculously cheap cars, photos all taken in different places.
Does seem to have got a little better lately but still out there. Do everyone a favour and report them when you see them.
Having said that there are also plenty of legit sales out there. If you have a particular car in mind have a search and there is normally a buy/sell group for them that is moderated (some better than others)
Lot less likely to be scammed there...
Normally easy to spot as the seller normally has loads of reasonably priced or ridiculously cheap cars, photos all taken in different places.
Does seem to have got a little better lately but still out there. Do everyone a favour and report them when you see them.
Having said that there are also plenty of legit sales out there. If you have a particular car in mind have a search and there is normally a buy/sell group for them that is moderated (some better than others)
Lot less likely to be scammed there...
Thanks for the advice. Yes having got myself more acquainted with Marketplace as a car buying tool it becomes more obvious who the real sellers are and who are the scammers. It's just so tedious sifting through compared to other platforms. In other news, I went to look at a Dacia Logan MCV at a local dealer. Plastic wheel trims, a sea of black plastic etc - just perfect as my next work car and second family car. Sensible miles, FSH, valeted to the point it was slippery. Firstly, the ad said the timing belt was changed, I queried evidence of this to which the dealer said, "We did it" but after more questioning said, "I can't show you the parts receipts because it's all secret for our tax accounts". After overlooking this nonsense and wondering why a dealer would do a timing belt on a 4.5k car, I spotted an oil leak under the car. The dealer then said, "Ah yes, that always happens after an oil change. Just a screw loose on the sump." With every alarm bell ringing, I spotted a puff of white smoke out of the back and mayonnaise under the oil filler cap ... the ad said the car had been inspected by their own mechanics ... made me wonder if I just need to pay more money but half the fun is finding a bargain. The search continues.
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