Used car: how to spot a scam before you pay
By Rédaction Quelle Occasion · updated on 9 October 2026
Most used car scams follow the same pattern: a listing that is too good to be true, a pushy seller and a payment demanded before you have seen the car. A few simple reflexes are enough to rule them out.
A price well below the market
A model advertised 20 or 30% below usual prices for the same year and mileage should raise an alarm. Compare it with the price range in our guides: a good deal does exist, but it always has an explanation (high mileage, damaged bodywork, maintenance to be carried out). If the seller does not explain it, be suspicious.
A seller who cannot show you the car
A sudden move abroad, a job transfer, an inheritance, a car that is "already with a carrier": the excuses vary, but the conclusion is the same. Never buy a car you have not seen and driven. An honest seller will accept a viewing, a test drive and an appointment with a mechanic of your choice.
A payment demanded before the viewing
Do not pay any deposit to "reserve" the vehicle, and refuse any payment method that is hard to trace: prepaid vouchers, cash transfer orders (mandat cash), money transfers abroad. Payment is made when the keys and papers are handed over, by a traceable method.
Also be wary of fake escrow or delivery services: a link to an unknown payment platform, sent by the seller, is a warning sign.
Documents that do not match
The name on the registration certificate must be that of the person selling. The VIN on the registration certificate must match the one engraved on the car and the one on the roadworthiness test. Ask the seller for the HistoVec report: it traces the vehicle's administrative history (owners, declared accidents, administrative status).
See also: the documents to demand.
Inconsistent mileage
DGCCRF investigations regularly uncover tampered odometers, sometimes by more than 100,000 km. They can be spotted by cross-checking: mileage recorded at successive roadworthiness tests, service invoices, wear on the steering wheel, gear lever and pedals. A mileage that goes down from one document to the next is reason enough to walk away.
A carVertical history report, based on the VIN, also lets you compare the odometer with the recorded mileage readings.
Check the car's history: 20% off → (new tab)Partner link
A copied listing
Scammers often reuse photos from genuine listings. A reverse image search can find the same car sold elsewhere, under another name or at another price.
Who to contact
- For a consumer dispute: the SignalConso platform of the DGCCRF.
- For fraud: file a complaint, and report it to Info Escroqueries (0 811 02 02 17).
In summary
- Compare the price with the market.
- See and test-drive the car before making any payment.
- Check the seller's identity and that the papers match.
- Pay when the keys are handed over, by a traceable method.
Sources
Before you buy: check and equip
Check the history
Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.
Read fault codes
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Parts and maintenance
Compare prices of car parts (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.
Insure the car
Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.