The seller tampers with the mileage display to make a high-mileage car look nearly new. This is one of the oldest tricks in the book — and it's illegal. The NHTSA estimates it happens about 450,000 times per year in the US.
A car that was in a flood or declared a total loss gets re-registered in a different state that doesn't carry the "salvage" brand on the title. It can look perfectly clean on paper.
Sellers aren't always legally required to volunteer information about past accidents, especially in private sales. Fresh paint and clean surfaces can hide serious structural damage.
A stolen car gets the VIN numbers from a legitimate similar vehicle, so it appears clean in every database. You could buy a stolen car without knowing it.
A dealership advertises a car at a great price online. You show up and that car is "just sold" or "unavailable." Now you're at the lot, emotionally ready to buy, and they pivot you to something pricier.
Instead of talking about the total price, the dealer focuses on the monthly payment. They quietly slip in extras (extended warranties, paint protection, tire insurance) and raise the payment by just $20 or $30 — hoping you won't notice.
Common in online sales. The "seller" takes your deposit for a car that doesn't exist — or that's already sold — and disappears with your money.
A seller insists you pay fees, deposits, or even the full price using iTunes, Amazon, or Google Play gift cards. Legitimate sellers never do this — ever.
You drive off the lot thinking the deal is done. A week or two later, the dealer calls to say the financing "fell through" and you need to come back and sign new paperwork — at a higher interest rate. You're already attached to the car, so you feel trapped.
The finance manager tells you that GAP insurance, paint sealant, or a protection package is "required" to get the loan. It's almost never true — these are pure profit items for the dealer.
Charges like "dealer prep fees," "documentation fees," or vague "market adjustments" can add $500–$2,500+ to your purchase. Some are legitimate; many are padded.
💡 The single best financing move you can make
- Get pre-approved for a car loan at your bank or credit union before you visit any dealership. This gives you a rate to compare against, and removes the dealer's leverage over you in the finance office.
- The FTC's CARS Rule (effective 2024) requires dealers to disclose all fees upfront and bans hidden charges. If a dealer refuses to itemize costs, you have the right to walk away — and possibly file a complaint with the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.
The listing uses stock photos or stolen images from a real listing elsewhere. There's no actual car — just someone collecting deposits or personal info from interested buyers.
A desirable car is listed thousands below market value, often with a story: "I need to sell fast," "I'm moving overseas," or "it's my late father's car." The urgency is engineered to make you skip due diligence.
An unlicensed dealer buys damaged, high-mileage, or problem cars at auction and flips them posing as a private seller. Private sellers have fewer legal obligations than dealers, so buyers have less protection.
For high-value online sales, the scammer insists on using a specific "escrow service" to make the transaction seem safe. The service is fake, and your payment vanishes.
⚖️ FTC CARS Rule (2024)
Dealers must show you the total price upfront, can't charge for add-ons you didn't agree to, and must give you all the numbers before you sign. Report violations at ftc.gov/complaint.
🍋 State Lemon Laws
If a new (or certified pre-owned) car has a serious defect that can't be fixed after a reasonable number of attempts, you may be entitled to a replacement or refund. Check your state's specific rules.
📄 Required Disclosures
Dealers are legally required to give you a Buyers Guide on used cars showing warranty status. You have the right to ask for repair histories and to have the title reviewed before purchase.
🔎 Federal Odometer Law
Tampering with an odometer is a federal crime with fines up to $10,000 per violation. If you discover rollback after purchase, report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov.
- Run the VIN through both CarFax/AutoCheck and vehiclehistory.gov (NMVTIS). One report can miss things the other catches.
- Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic — not one recommended by the seller. Budget $100–$150. It's always worth it.
- Get pre-approved financing from your bank or credit union before stepping foot in a dealership.
- Negotiate the out-the-door price, not the monthly payment. Only talk payments after you've locked in the final price.
- Read every line of the contract before signing. Ask what every fee is for. Don't let anyone rush you.
- Never pay with gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency — these are irreversible and scammer-preferred.
- Verify private sellers by confirming the name on the title matches their ID. Meet at a bank or police station parking lot for large cash transactions.
Knowledge is your best negotiating tool.
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