Medium riskMarketplace

We Buy Any Car Scam

In this scam, an online 'instant car valuation' or buyer lures you with a high quote, then drastically cuts the price at inspection over minor 'faults', or harvests your vehicle and personal details for fraud.

Quick verdict

Risk level
Medium risk
Scam type
Bait-and-switch valuation (seller-targeted)
Main red flag
A high instant car quote that is slashed at inspection over minor points.
What to do first
Get multiple independent valuations and be wary of inflated online quotes.

What to know first

In this scam, an online 'instant car valuation' or buyer lures you with a high quote, then drastically cuts the price at inspection over minor 'faults', or harvests your vehicle and personal details for fraud.

Marketplace scams target both buyers and sellers on platforms like Facebook Marketplace and classified listings. Fraudsters fake payments, send bogus "buyer protection" emails, push deals off-platform, or use overpayment tricks to make you ship goods or send money for nothing.

The core pattern to watch for is clear: A high instant car quote that is slashed at inspection over minor points. Get multiple independent valuations and be wary of inflated online quotes.

Related tricks worth knowing: the Car Deposit Scam and the Vehicle History Report Scam. For the wider picture, browse the Marketplace Scams guides or run the message through our scam checker.

Scam statistics

$1.4B
reported lost to fraud that started on social media in the US in 2023
Source: US Federal Trade Commission
Top category
online shopping is consistently among the most-reported fraud types to the FTC
Source: US Federal Trade Commission

Tell-tale red flags

  • An online quote far above other buyers
  • A price slashed at inspection over minor faults
  • Pressure to accept on the spot
  • Extra 'admin' or 'transfer' fees deducted
  • Requests for excessive personal or vehicle details

Staying safe

  • Get multiple independent valuations before selling
  • Be wary of inflated online instant quotes
  • Read terms for deductions and fees
  • Do not feel pressured to accept a slashed offer

How it usually reads

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'We'll buy your car for top price!' At inspection the offer is cut sharply, pressuring you to accept on the spot.

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

What to notice: A high instant car quote that is slashed at inspection over minor points.

Steps if you already acted

  • If pressured or misled, walk away and sell elsewhere
  • If you shared excessive details, monitor for misuse
  • Keep the quote and correspondence as evidence
  • Report misleading practices to consumer authorities

Common mistakes

  • Do not trust inflated instant quotes
  • Do not accept a slashed offer under pressure
  • Do not pay 'admin' or 'transfer' fees that gut the price

Scams like this one

High risk Marketplace

Car Deposit Scam

This scam uses an underpriced vehicle listing where the seller claims to be away and asks for a deposit or full payment through gift cards, wire transfer, or a fake escrow service before you can inspect the car.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Medium risk Marketplace

Vehicle History Report Scam

When buying or selling a vehicle, the other party insists you first get a history report from one specific website, which is set up to harvest your card details or charge hidden fees.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Medium risk Marketplace

Device Buyback Scam

In this scam, a device buyback or trade-in service offers a great price for your phone or laptop, but after you post it they slash the offer citing 'faults', underpay drastically, or keep the device entirely.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Your questions answered

How do I sell a car safely?
Get multiple independent valuations, be wary of inflated online quotes, read the terms for deductions, and never accept a slashed offer under pressure.
Why do they cut the price at inspection?
The high online quote is bait. Cutting it on the day, with pressure to accept, is a bait-and-switch tactic to buy your car cheaply.
They wanted lots of personal details. Why?
Excessive details can be used for fraud. Share only what is needed and monitor for misuse if you provided more.
Is walking away okay?
Yes. You are not obliged to accept a slashed offer. Get other valuations and sell where the terms are fair.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.