Index
Why scams exist when selling cars online
Red flags when selling a car online
Most common scams when selling a car online
How to get paid securely
What details you should not share
How to conduct a risk-free test drive
What to check before signing the sale
Contract, payment, and delivery: the correct order
What to do after selling the car
How Dealcar reduces risks when selling
Frequently asked questions
Why scams exist when selling cars online
Selling a car online attracts real buyers, but also people trying to take advantage of the seller. The reason is simple: the car has a high value and the transaction usually involves a certain urgency, direct contact, and paperwork that many private individuals do not master.
An online sale can start on a portal, an app, a social network, or a marketplace. At first, everything seems normal: someone asks about the car, requests photos, shows interest, and wants to close the deal quickly. The problem arises when they start asking for strange things.
For example:
They ask for your full bank details.
They want to send you a link to "confirm payment".
They send you a screenshot of an alleged transfer.
They ask you to accept an operation via Bizum.
They say they are sending a transport company.
They want to buy without seeing the car.
They pressure you to reserve it as soon as possible.
They offer you more money than advertised without negotiating.
The goal of many scams is for you to hand over the car, send money, share details, or accept a fake transaction. The National Police warns that many telematic scams aim to obtain personal or bank details, or to prompt the victim to make a payment under some pretext.
The good news is that many signs can be detected if you know what to look for. The bad news is that the internet is still the internet, that theme park of misplaced trust.
Red flags when selling a car online
Not all persistent buyers are scammers, but there are behaviors that should make you put the brakes on.
Wants to close the sale too quickly
If someone wants to buy the car without seeing it, without testing it, without checking documentation, and without asking normal questions, be suspicious.
There can be decisive buyers, of course. But in a transaction of several thousand euros, it is normal for checks to be made.
Does not negotiate and accepts the price instantly
Someone accepting the price without asking questions might seem like a blessing. Sometimes it is. Other times, it is the hook.
If they also offer to pay more than you are asking for or say they need to close urgently, watch out.
Asks you to use strange payment methods
Be distrustful if the buyer proposes unusual methods, strange intermediaries, external links, or payments that are difficult to verify.
The payment must be clear, traceable, and confirmed by your bank before handing over the car.
Sends you suspicious links
Never enter your passwords, bank details, ID card, or sensitive information into links sent by a prospective buyer.
Always access your bank, the DGT, or any official service manually. The National Police recommends not clicking on suspicious links and manually accessing the official website or official app when dealing with sensitive operations.
Pressures you emotionally
Some frauds use personal stories: relocations, family emergencies, buyers abroad, military personnel stationed away, transport companies, relatives who will collect the car...
It could be true. It could also be cheap drama with expensive consequences.
Wants to take the car before the payment is confirmed
Never hand over the car just because they show you a screenshot, a receipt, or a message. The money must be confirmed in your account.
A screenshot is not money. It is an image. And images, like the integrity of some buyers, are easily faked.
Most common scams when selling a car online
These are some of the scams that can appear when selling a car online.
1. Fake bank transfer payment
The buyer sends you a screenshot of a transfer or a receipt that looks valid. They tell you the money will arrive in a few hours and that they need to take the car now.
The risk is clear: the transfer may not have been made, it could be cancelled, it could be tampered with, or it might never arrive.
How to avoid it
Do not hand over the car until the money is available in your account. A receipt is not enough. Log into your online banking from the official app and check the deposit.
2. Reverse Bizum
This scam is very common in online buying and selling. The supposed buyer says they want to pay you a deposit via Bizum. But instead of sending you money, they send you a request for money. If you accept it, believing you are getting paid, you are actually paying them.
INCIBE explains that in the "reverse Bizum" the scammer sends a money request instead of a payment, and the victim, by accepting without checking properly, authorises sending money to the scammer. INCIBE even features a real case of an online sale in which the supposed buyer offered a deposit via Bizum to reserve a vehicle.
How to avoid it
Always read the screen before accepting any transaction. To receive money via Bizum, you do not have to accept a payment request. If the screen says you are going to send money, cancel.
3. Buyer abroad
The buyer says they are outside Spain, cannot see the car, and will send a transport company. Sometimes they offer to pay more than the asking price.
Later, they might ask you to advance money for transport costs, insurance, customs, or commissions. They may also send you fake links to a supposed intermediary company.
How to avoid it
Do not advance money to sell your car. If someone wants to buy, they must pay for the car correctly. If they ask you to pay something to unblock the operation, it's a bad sign.
4. Fake payment or verification links
The buyer sends you a link that is supposedly used to receive the payment, verify your identity, or arrange the transport.
That link can steal your bank details, passwords, card, or personal information.
How to avoid it
Do not open links sent by strangers to collect a sale. Use official channels and access directly from the legitimate app or website.
5. Fake reservation
The buyer tells you they are very interested and want to reserve the car, but asks you for some strange detail or action: accepting an operation, entering a website, sending sensitive documentation, or paying a small commission.
How to avoid it
A real reservation must be clearly written down, containing the identity of the buyer, the amount, the concept, and conditions. If something doesn't fit, don't proceed.
6. Fake documents
Some scammers may send manipulated IDs, bank receipts, contracts, or documents.
How to avoid it
Do not rely solely on documents sent via WhatsApp. Verify identity, payment, and details before handing over the vehicle.
7. Carrier scam
The buyer says they will send a transport company to collect the car. They may ask you to pay a fee beforehand or share personal details with a supposed logistics company.
How to avoid it
Do not hand over the car to anyone without having received payment and having a signed contract with the buyer's full details. If a third party collects it, they must be identified and authorised.
How to get paid securely when selling a car
Payment is one of the most delicate points of the transaction. It is not wise to improvise here, no matter how much improvisation is the national sport of private sales.
Bank transfer
A bank transfer is a common option, but you must wait until the money is actually in your account.
Do not accept:
Screenshots as sole proof.
Receipts without verifying.
Emails allegedly sent by the bank.
Messages saying that the payment is "on hold".
Promises that it will arrive later.
The car is handed over when the money is confirmed.
Instant transfer
It can be a convenient option because the money arrives instantly or almost instantly. Even so, check from your online banking that the deposit appears correctly.
Bank draft / Banker's draft
It can be used, but requires more caution. Verify with your bank that the draft is authentic and that the funds are guaranteed before handing over the vehicle.
Cash
Cash can generate problems regarding security, verification, and legal limits depending on the type of transaction. For high amounts, it is usually not the most recommended between strangers.
Bizum
Bizum can be useful for small deposits, but extreme caution must be exercised due to frauds like reverse Bizum. If you use Bizum, check whether you are receiving or sending money before confirming.
What details you should not share
To sell a car you need to provide certain information, but anything does not go.
Details you can share with caution
It is normal to share:
Make and model.
Year.
Mileage.
Registration plate, if you decide to show it.
Condition of the car.
Photos.
Maintenance history.
MOT.
Approximate location.
Basic information for the contract when the transaction is advanced.
Data you should protect
Do not share lightly:
Banking passwords.
SMS codes.
PINs.
Full photos of bank cards.
Copies of ID cards to strangers without need.
Sensitive documentation before verifying the buyer.
Access links to personal services.
Online banking details.
If someone asks you for codes, passwords, or strange confirmations, they are not buying your car. They are buying your distraction.
How to conduct a risk-free test drive
Many buyers will want to see or test the car before deciding. This is normal. But it should be organized well.
Meet in a safe place
Choose a public, well-lit, and busy spot. Avoid isolated places or meeting in unfamiliar areas.
Do not go alone if you don't trust them
If the buyer makes you doubt, go accompanied. It's not paranoia. It's common sense with witnesses.
Request identification
Before letting them test the car, identify the buyer and check that they have a driving licence.
Always accompany during the test drive
Do not hand over the keys for the buyer to test the car alone. You or someone you trust should be inside.
Do not leave original documentation unattended
Do not hand over original documents until the transaction is closed. You can show documentation for review, but don't lose sight of it.
Control the duration and route
Do a reasonable test drive. There is no need for an interprovincial expedition to decide if a car brakes, turns, and doesn't sound like a broken coffee machine.
What to check before signing the sale
Before signing, make sure everything is clear.
Identity of the buyer
You need to know who is buying the car. Check DNI, NIE, or NIF and make sure the details match those in the contract.
Final price
The price must be clear. Do not leave ambiguous amounts or verbal agreements unrecorded.
Payment method
State how it is paid and when it is considered paid. If it is a transfer, wait for confirmation in your account before handing over the car.
Condition of the vehicle
Include in the contract the general condition, mileage, any known defects, and if it is delivered with a valid MOT.
Date and time of delivery
The DGT recommends including the exact date and time of delivery in the contract to avoid issues with subsequent penalties as long as the ownership is not updated. It also advises not to hand over the vehicle without an original sales contract signed by both buyer and seller.
Documentation
Before closing, prepare:
ID or NIE.
Registration certificate.
Technical data sheet.
MOT.
Sales contract.
Proof of payment.
Vehicle report if you have it.
Documentation regarding charges or financing, if any.
You can check this guide with the documents needed to sell a car.
Contract, payment, and delivery: the correct order
The order matters. A lot. Doing it the other way around is an excellent way to turn a sale into an administrative problem on wheels.
Recommended order
Verify the buyer's identity.
Check that all the car's details are correct.
Sign the sales contract.
Receive and confirm the payment.
Hand over keys and agreed documentation.
Record the date and time of delivery.
Make a notification of sale if applicable.
Check that the buyer processes the transfer of ownership.
You can prepare the process with this guide on the car sale contract.
What to do after selling the car
The sale doesn't end when you hand over the keys. The administrative part is still pending, that little reminder that no procedure is completely dead until Tráfico allows it.
Transfer of ownership
The buyer must transfer the ownership. The DGT indicates that, after signing the sales contract, the buyer is obliged to carry out the transfer or change of ownership within a maximum period of 30 days.
You can see the full process in this guide on how to transfer ownership of a car.
Notification of sale
As a seller, you can notify the DGT of the sale to avoid liabilities if the buyer takes time to change ownership. The DGT recommends doing this as soon as possible because, as long as the change of ownership does not occur, fines, insurance issues, or problems associated with the vehicle can continue to reach the previous owner.
Keep copies
Retain:
Signed contract.
DNI or details of the buyer.
Proof of payment.
Relevant conversations.
Proof of sales notification, if you do it.
Copy of the documentation handed over.
Cancel the insurance when appropriate
Once the transaction is closed and with the corresponding proof, contact your insurer to cancel or modify the policy.
You can expand on this point with the guide on what to do after selling a car.
How to avoid scams if you sell on portals or marketplaces
Each channel has its own risks.
If you sell on Wallapop
Wallapop can give you visibility, but also more messages and haggling. Filter interested parties well and do not accept strange transactions off-platform without checking identity and payment.
You can read more in the guide on selling a car on Wallapop.
If you sell on Coches.net
Coches.net is specialized in motor, but you will also have to manage contacts, tests, and negotiation if you publish an ad.
Here is the guide on selling a car on Coches.net.
If you use classified ad websites
Pay special attention to:
Buyer profile.
Payment method.
Meeting place.
Contract.
Change of ownership.
Communication outside the platform.
You can also review this guide on sites to sell cars in Spain.
How Dealcar reduces risks when selling your car
One of the simplest ways to reduce risks when selling a car online is to avoid dealing with unknown buyers, unreliable messages, and improvised negotiations.
With Dealcar, you can sell your car without posting ads on multiple portals and without relying on private individuals when you don't know if they are serious.
The proposal is simple: more than 1,000 dealerships can compete for your car. Instead of receiving messages from strangers, you can compare professional offers.
This helps to reduce risks because:
You do not have to publish ads on multiple websites.
You avoid calls and haggling from private individuals.
You deal with professional buyers.
You can compare offers before deciding.
You reduce exposure to scams typical of marketplaces.
You save time on filtering, testing, and negotiations.
You can sell with a clearer process.
You can receive offers from dealerships for your car and decide whether any of them interest you.
Checklist for selling your car online safely
Before closing a sale, check this list:
I have checked the buyer's identity.
I have not clicked on suspicious links.
I have not shared passwords, codes, or sensitive bank details.
The payment is confirmed in my account.
I do not accept screenshots as sole proof of payment.
The contract is signed by both parties.
The contract includes the date and time of delivery.
I have a copy of the DNI or buyer's details.
I have prepared the necessary documents.
I do not hand over the car before getting paid.
I consider making a notification of sale.
I keep all receipts.
If a transaction fails at several points on this list, it is not a safe sale. It is an invitation to suffer with a license plate.
Frequently asked questions about scams when selling a car online
What is the most common scam when selling a car online?
One of the most common is fake payment: the buyer sends a screenshot or transfer receipt and pressures to take the car before the money is confirmed. Requests for money via Bizum disguised as payments are also frequent.
Is it safe to accept Bizum when selling a car?
It can be useful for small amounts or deposits, but you must check the transaction very carefully. In the reverse Bizum, the scammer sends a request for money and the victim accepts it believing they are receiving payment. For large amounts, it is better to use more traceable methods.
Can I hand over the car with a transfer receipt?
It is not recommended. A receipt or screenshot can be manipulated or does not guarantee that the money is available. Hand over the car only when the payment appears confirmed in your account.
What details should I not give to a buyer?
Do not share banking passwords, SMS codes, PINs, full card details, or copies of sensitive documentation before verifying the buyer. Also, do not enter details into links sent by strangers.
What must the contract include to avoid problems?
It must include buyer and seller details, vehicle details, registration plate, chassis number, mileage, price, payment method, date and time of delivery, condition of the car, and the signatures of both parties.
What do I do if the buyer does not transfer ownership?
You can notify the DGT of the sale to protect yourself. The DGT recommends notifying the sale as soon as possible if the buyer delays with the change of ownership.
Is it safer to sell to a dealership?
Selling to a professional buyer can reduce risks compared to dealing with strangers, although it is also wise to check conditions, contract, and payment. With Dealcar, you can receive offers from dealerships and compare before deciding.
How can I sell without posting adverts?
You can sell to a direct purchase company or receive offers from dealerships through Dealcar. This way you avoid publishing ads, filtering messages, and negotiating with private individuals.
