What are red flags when buying a vehicle privately?

Warning signs include: pressure to send a deposit before verification, no VIN provided, too-good-to-be-true pricing combined with urgency, mismatched paperwork, and unusual payment requests such as cryptocurrency or split transfers.

What are red flags when selling a vehicle privately?

Warning signs include: overpayment offers where a buyer sends extra and asks for a refund (a common money laundering tactic), reluctance to verify identity, screenshot proof of payment instead of verified transfers, and pressure to skip proper registration transfer steps.

Why is pressure to send a deposit a red flag?

Pressure to transfer money before you've verified the seller or the vehicle is a common scam tactic. Legitimate sellers will allow you time to verify details and inspect the vehicle before requesting payment.

What should I do if I feel unsafe during a private vehicle sale?

If you're in a vulnerable or sensitive situation, reach out to Veme directly. You can email or use Live Chat without having to explain everything upfront or speak on the phone if you don't want to. Veme provides support to help ensure safe transactions.

Scams & Red Flags

Buying or selling a vehicle privately shouldnʼt feel like detective work, yet for many Australians, it does!

‍Private sales offer flexibility, control and often a better price, but without structure they also carry risk. Searches for ‘Car buying scams in Australiaʼ continue to rise as people try to understand what to watch for. Here youʼll find some of the most common red flags.

‍Trust Shouldn’t Feel Like a Leap of Faith

Red Flags When You’re Buying

If youʼre researching how to spot a car scam when buying a vehicle privately, these are the warning signs to look for:

“Just send a deposit.ˮ

Pressure to transfer money before youʼve verified the seller or the vehicle.

No VIN provided

If you canʼt run a PPSR check,
donʼt transfer funds.

Too good to be true pricing

A bargain combined with urgency is a common scam tactic.

Mismatched paperwork

Names, VIN, rego details or service
history that donʼt line up.

Unusual payment requests

Crypto. Split transfers. Pay a fee to receive your funds. These arenʼt standard vehicle payments.

Red Flags When You’re Selling

Sellers face risks too, particularly on Marketplace platforms
where car scams often involve counterfeit payments. Be cautious if you notice them:

"Overpayment" offers

A buyer sends extra and asks for a refund. This is a common money laundering tactic.

Reluctant to verify identity

Youʼre handing over a valuable asset. Know who youʼre dealing with.

Screenshot proof of payment

Funds need to clear, not just appear.
This means funds should be fully settled, not just appear as pending.

Pressure to skip transfer steps

If rego isnʼt transferred properly, liability can remain with you.

Need Help or Feeling Unsafe?

If youʼre in a vulnerable or sensitive situation, we encourage you to reach out to us directly.

‍We understand that not every transaction is straightforward and we take safety seriously.

You donʼt have to explain everything upfront.

You donʼt have to speak on the phone if you donʼt want to. You can email or Live Chat with us.

But if you do want to speak over the phone, you’ll speak to a real person.

‍Weʼre here to help.