Autotrader Scam?

Helios1234 · Sunday at 14:17

I just put my Cayman S for sale on Autotrader and within 1 hour got an email from someone showing interest. The problem is that based on their messages, it seems like a scam. Am I overreacting?

Conversation went like this:

Potential buyer said:
Is this vehicle still available?

Helios1234 said:
Hi,

Yes, the car is available

Potential buyer said:
alright thanks for your reply please tell me more about the vehicle are their any problems in it which i should be aware of? and how long you are using it for

Helios1234 said:
Hi,

All of the relevant details are in the advert, what did you want to know specifically? The car has no problems and has been my daily driver for the past 9 years.

Thanks

Potential buyer said:
great so are you it's first owner or a subsequent owner?How much is your last price for it?

Helios1234 said:
Hi,

I'm the fourth owner and the final price is £19,500.

Thanks

Potential buyer said:
alright fine great deal done,Would it be possible to show it to me on monday ? If it works let me know the time and location? Which suits you best.Additionally, I would appreciate it if you could provide an inspection report and all relevant documents from [[*** CONTENT REMOVED ***]][*** CONTENT REMOVED ***] This will help me ensure the vehicle's condition and authenticity before finalizing the deal. I am happy to cover the cost of the inspection report, which can be added to the vehicle's purchase price.

On the face of it, the questions are fine, but it just seemed odd that the person was asking for details that are already in my ad, especially about me being the current owner when I've mentioned it's had 4 owners and I've owned a 2009 car for the past 9 years... and I'm not sure why the onus is on my to provide an inspection report when I've just had it serviced unless that's what he means...

Anyway, does this seem genuine or is it a potential scam?

Advert for reference: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509066116118

Thanks

Kenai · Sunday at 14:39

"Hi pay for this thing for me and I'll give you the money back in another transaction" = scam.

Odds on the reports he's asking for are from some nonsense site that's just going harvest your details, take a fake payment, say the car is duff and he'll either ask for about 30% off or just bin you off.

(edit - and that's ignoring the idiotic questions, last price nonsense, agreeing a 'deal' at the price it already was...)

Hades · Sunday at 14:52

Last price is an instant "no thanks matey" for me.

Diddums · Sunday at 14:59

Post up this fake "report" site, guaranteed it's a scam.

nlel1975 · Sunday at 14:59

Yeah request for last price is always an indicator of a scam.

shifty_uk · Sunday at 15:03

If you need to ask, just walk away, there will be other buyers

Diddums · Sunday at 15:03

nlel1975 said:
Yeah request for last price is always an indicator of a scam.

Not necessarily, loads of people out there trying to get a bargain.

Helios1234 · Sunday at 15:03

Diddums said:
Post up this fake "report" site, guaranteed it's a scam.

I don't know what it was. It went through Autotrader so was automatically censored.

nlel1975 · Sunday at 15:04

Diddums said:
Not necessarily, loads of people out there trying to get a bargain.

Why use the term last price, why not what's the lowest you will take?

Helios1234 · Sunday at 15:07

Diddums said:
Not necessarily, loads of people out there trying to get a bargain.

In this case, the last price I told him was the original price :cry:

Diddums · Sunday at 15:14

nlel1975 said:
Why use the term last price, why not what's the lowest you will take?

There are people out there who are too thick to know the difference between "bought" and "brought", or "could have" and "could have".

lol, I forgot the forum covers for stupid people, it even autocorrects

nlel1975 · Sunday at 15:18

Diddums said:
There are people out there who are too thick to know the difference between "bought" and "brought", or "could have" and "could have".

Stinks of someone whose first language isn't English.

deviation · Sunday at 15:24

Definitely go with your gut, and save yourself the hassle.

Diddums · Sunday at 15:25

nlel1975 said:
Stinks of someone whose first language isn't English.

You'd be surprised. I've come across loads of English people who definitely skipped English at school.

hornetstinger · Sunday at 15:27

nlel1975 said:
Stinks of someone whose first language isn't English.

Nah met loads of English people who don't know differences between bought and brought.

nlel1975 · Sunday at 15:28

hornetstinger said:
Nah met loads of English people who don't know differences between bought and brought.

I was referring to the term "Last price"

aaronyuri · Sunday at 15:35

Diddums said:
Not necessarily, loads of people out there trying to get a bargain.

But these people will never actually buy whatever it is you're selling for a reasonable price. There's haggling, and then there's whatever world these people live in.

Yes, OP, this is a scam.

ivrytwr3 · Sunday at 15:39

alright fine great deal done,Would it be possible to show it to me on monday ? If it works let me know the time and location? Which suits you best.Additionally, I would appreciate it if you could provide an inspection report and all relevant documents from [[*** CONTENT REMOVED ***]][*** CONTENT REMOVED ***] This will help me ensure the vehicle's condition and authenticity before finalizing the deal. I am happy to cover the cost of the inspection report, which can be added to the vehicle's purchase price.

It's a scam. Block and move on.

deviation · Sunday at 15:43

I always find that it's polite, to get to know the owners history with the car first, and have a general chat about what it's been like to own etc, before even hinting at coming to an agreement on a price.
It shows that you're genuine which inspires trust that you won't mess them around and are serious about the car - people seem to appreciate this approach, and you don't offend them, and no-ones time is wasted.

Scuzi · Sunday at 15:44

Motorsview report for £50?

Yeah it’s a scam. You could have called him a donkey sucking nonce and he still would have wanted to proceed if you did the check.