Contents
Why there are scams when selling cars online
Warning signs when selling a car over the internet
The most common scams when selling a car online
How to get paid safely
What details you shouldn’t share
How to carry out a car test drive without risks
What to check before signing the sale
Contract, payment and handover: the correct order
What to do after selling the car
How Dealcar reduces risks when selling
Frequently asked questions
Why there are scams when selling cars online
Selling a car online attracts genuine buyers, but also people who try to take advantage of the seller. The reason is simple: the car has a high value and the process often involves some urgency, direct contact and paperwork that many private sellers don’t fully understand.
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 quickly. The problem appears when they start asking for odd 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 a supposed transfer.
They ask you to accept a Bizum payment.
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 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 online scams aim to obtain personal or bank details, or to get the victim to make a payment under some pretext.
The good news is that many warning signs can be spotted if you know what to look for. The bad news is that the internet is still the internet, that theme park of misunderstood trust.
Warning signs when selling a car over the internet
Not all persistent buyers are scammers, but there are behaviours that should make you stop and think.
They want to close the deal too quickly
If someone wants to buy the car without seeing it, without test driving it, without checking the paperwork and without asking normal questions, be suspicious.
There can be determined buyers, of course. But in a transaction worth several thousand euros, checks are normal.
They don’t negotiate anything and accept the price instantly
Someone accepting the price without asking anything may seem like a blessing. Sometimes it is. Other times it’s the hook.
If they also offer to pay more than you asked for or say they need to close urgently, be careful.
They ask you to use strange payment methods
Be wary if the buyer suggests unusual methods, odd intermediaries, external links or payments that are hard to verify.
Payment should be clear, traceable and confirmed by your bank before you hand over the car.
They send you suspicious links
Never enter your passwords, bank details, ID number or sensitive information in links sent by a supposed buyer.
Always access your bank, the DGT or any official service manually. The National Police recommends not clicking suspicious links and manually accessing the official website or official app when sensitive transactions are involved.
They pressure you emotionally
Some scams use personal stories: moves, family emergencies, buyers abroad, military personnel posted overseas, transport companies, relatives who will pick up the car…
It may be true. It may also be cheap acting with expensive consequences.
They want to take the car before 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’s an image. And images, like some buyers’ dignity, are easy to fake.
The 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 seemingly valid receipt. They tell you the money will arrive in a few hours and that they need to take the car now.
The risk is obvious: the transfer may not have been made, may be cancelled, may be tampered with or may 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 credit.
2. Reverse Bizum
This scam is very common in online vehicle sales. The supposed buyer says they want to pay you a deposit by Bizum. But instead of sending you money, they send you a payment request. If you accept it thinking you are being paid, in reality you are paying them.
INCIBE explains that in the “reverse Bizum” scam the fraudster sends a money request instead of a payment, and the victim, by accepting without checking carefully, authorises the money to be sent to the fraudster. INCIBE even cites a real case of an online sale in which the supposed buyer offered a deposit by Bizum to reserve a vehicle.
How to avoid it
Always read the screen before accepting any transaction. To receive money by Bizum you do not need to accept a payment request. If the screen says you are sending money, cancel.
3. Buyer abroad
The buyer says they are outside Spain, that they can’t see the car and that they will send a transport company. Sometimes they offer more than the asking price.
They may then ask you to advance transport costs, insurance, customs or fees. They may also send fake links from 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 properly. If they ask you to pay something to unlock the transaction, that’s a bad sign.
4. Fake payment or verification links
The buyer sends you a link that supposedly serves to receive payment, verify your identity or arrange transport.
That link may steal your bank details, passwords, card details or personal information.
How to avoid it
Do not open links sent by strangers to collect payment for a sale. Use official channels and access them 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 they ask for some extra detail or strange action: accept a transaction, go to a website, send sensitive documents or pay a small fee.
How to avoid it
A real reservation should be clearly set out in writing, with the buyer’s identity, amount, purpose and conditions. If something doesn’t add up, don’t continue.
6. Fake documents
Some scammers may send ID cards, bank receipts, contracts or altered documents.
How to avoid it
Do not rely solely on documents sent via WhatsApp. Check identity, payment and details before handing over the vehicle.
7. Transport company scam
The buyer says they will send a transport company to collect the car. They may ask you to pay a fee in advance or share personal details with a supposed logistics company.
How to avoid it
Do not hand over the car to anyone without being paid and without 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 safely when selling a car
Payment is one of the most delicate parts of the transaction. This is not the time to improvise, no matter how much improvisation feels like 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 the only proof.
Receipts that you haven’t checked.
Emails supposedly sent by the bank.
Messages saying the payment is “on hold”.
Promises that it will arrive later.
The car is handed over when the money is confirmed.
Instant transfer
This can be a convenient option because the money arrives immediately or almost immediately. Even so, check in your online banking that the credit appears correctly.
Banker’s draft
It can be used, but it requires more caution. Verify with your bank that the draft is genuine and that the money is guaranteed before handing over the vehicle.
Cash
Cash can create problems with security, verification and legal limits depending on the type of transaction. For high amounts, it is usually not the best option between strangers.
Bizum
Bizum can be useful for small deposits, but you need to be extremely careful because of scams such as reverse Bizum. If you use Bizum, check whether you are receiving or sending money before confirming.
What details you shouldn’t share
To sell a car you need to provide certain information, but not everything goes.
Details you can share with caution
It is normal to share:
Make and model.
Year.
Mileage.
Registration number, if you choose to show it.
Condition of the car.
Photos.
Service history.
MOT.
Approximate location.
Basic information for the contract when the transaction is at an advanced stage.
Details you should protect
Don’t casually share:
Bank passwords.
SMS codes.
PIN.
Full photos of bank cards.
Copies of ID documents to strangers without need.
Sensitive paperwork before verifying the buyer.
Links to access personal services.
Online banking details.
If someone asks you for codes, passwords or odd confirmations, they are not buying your car. They are buying your distraction.
How to carry out a car test drive without risks
Many buyers will want to see or test the car before deciding. That’s normal. But it’s worth organising it properly.
Meet in a safe place
Choose a public, well-lit place with people around. Avoid isolated places or meeting in areas you don’t know.
Don’t go alone if you don’t feel comfortable
If the buyer makes you uneasy, go with someone. It’s not paranoia. It’s common sense with witnesses.
Ask for ID
Before letting them test drive the car, identify the buyer and check they have a driving licence.
Always accompany them during the test drive
Do not hand over the keys for the buyer to test the car alone. You or someone you trust should go along in the car.
Do not leave original paperwork uncontrolled
Do not hand over original documents until the transaction is completed. They may show documents for inspection, but keep them in sight.
Control the duration and route
Keep the test drive reasonable. You don’t need a cross-province expedition to decide whether a car brakes, turns and doesn’t sound like a wounded kettle.
What to check before signing the sale
Before signing, make sure everything is clear.
Buyer identity
You need to know who is buying the car. Check the DNI, NIE or NIF and make sure the details match those on the contract.
Final price
The price must be clear. Don’t 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.
Vehicle condition
Include in the contract the general condition, mileage, any known defects and whether it is handed over with a valid MOT.
Date and time of handover
The DGT recommends including the exact date and time of handover in the contract to avoid problems with later fines while the change of ownership has not yet been updated. It also advises not handing over the vehicle without the original signed sale contract from both buyer and seller.
Documentation
Before closing, prepare:
DNI or NIE.
Registration certificate.
Vehicle technical data sheet.
MOT.
Sale and purchase contract.
Proof of payment.
Vehicle report if you have it.
Documentation on outstanding finance or loans, if any.
You can review this guide on the documents needed to sell a car.
Contract, payment and handover: the correct order
The order matters. A lot. Doing it the other way round is an excellent way to turn a sale into an administrative problem on wheels.
Recommended order
Verify the buyer’s identity.
Check that all vehicle details are correct.
Sign the sale and purchase contract.
Receive and confirm payment.
Hand over the keys and agreed documents.
Record the date and time of handover.
Make a notification of sale if applicable.
Check that the buyer processes the change of ownership.
You can prepare the transaction with this guide on the car sale and purchase contract.
What to do after selling the car
The sale doesn’t end when you hand over the keys. There’s still the administrative side, that little reminder that no paperwork ever really dies until Traffic says so.
Change of ownership
The buyer must carry out the change of ownership. The DGT states that, after signing the sale and purchase contract, the buyer is obliged to complete the transfer or change of ownership within a maximum of 30 days.
You can see the full process in this guide on how to change a car’s ownership.
Notification of sale
As the seller, you can notify the sale to the DGT to avoid liability if the buyer takes time to change ownership. The DGT recommends doing it as soon as possible, because until the ownership change is made, fines, insurance matters or problems associated with the vehicle may continue to arrive for the previous owner.
Keep copies
Keep:
Signed contract.
Buyer’s ID or details.
Proof of payment.
Relevant conversations.
Proof of sale notification, if you make one.
Copy of documents handed over.
Cancel the insurance when appropriate
Once the transaction is complete and you have the relevant proof, contact your insurer to cancel or amend 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 buyers carefully and don’t accept odd deals outside the 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 specialised in motoring, but you’ll still need to manage contact, test drives and negotiation if you post an advert.
Here is the guide on selling a car on Coches.net.
If you use classifieds sites
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 websites for selling cars in Spain.
How Dealcar reduces risks when selling your car
One of the easiest 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 adverts on several portals and without relying on private buyers whose seriousness you can’t be sure of.
The idea 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 reduce risks because:
You don’t have to post adverts on multiple sites.
You avoid calls and haggling from private buyers.
You deal with professional buyers.
You can compare offers before deciding.
You reduce exposure to typical marketplace fraud.
You save time on filtering, test drives 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, review this list:
I have checked the buyer’s identity.
I have not clicked suspicious links.
I have not shared passwords, codes or sensitive banking details.
The payment is confirmed in my account.
I do not accept screenshots as the only proof of payment.
The contract is signed by both parties.
The contract includes the date and time of handover.
I have a copy of the buyer’s ID or details.
I have prepared the necessary documents.
I do not hand over the car before being paid.
I consider making a notification of sale.
I keep all proofs.
If a transaction fails on several points in this list, it is not a safe sale. It’s an invitation to suffer with a number 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 you to hand over the car before the money is confirmed. Requests for money via Bizum disguised as a payment 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 reverse Bizum, the fraudster sends a money request and the victim accepts it believing they are being paid. For high amounts, it’s better to use more traceable methods.
Can I hand over the car with a transfer receipt?
It is not recommended. A receipt or screenshot may be tampered with or may not guarantee 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 bank passwords, SMS codes, PIN, full card details or copies of sensitive documents before verifying the buyer. Also do not enter details in links sent by strangers.
What should the contract include to avoid problems?
It should include the buyer’s and seller’s details, vehicle details, registration number, VIN, mileage, price, payment method, date and time of handover, condition of the car and both parties’ signatures.
What do I do if the buyer does not change ownership?
You can make a notification of sale to the DGT to protect yourself. The DGT recommends notifying the sale as soon as possible if the buyer delays the ownership change.
Is it safer to sell to a dealership?
Selling to a professional buyer can reduce risks compared with dealing with strangers, although it is still worth checking the terms, contract and payment. With Dealcar you can receive offers from dealerships and compare them before deciding.
How can I sell without posting adverts?
You can sell to a direct-buy company or receive offers from dealerships through Dealcar. That way you avoid posting adverts, filtering messages and negotiating with private buyers.
Contents
Why there are scams when selling cars online
Warning signs when selling a car over the internet
The most common scams when selling a car online
How to get paid safely
What details you shouldn’t share
How to carry out a car test drive without risks
What to check before signing the sale
Contract, payment and handover: the correct order
What to do after selling the car
How Dealcar reduces risks when selling
Frequently asked questions
Why there are scams when selling cars online
Selling a car online attracts genuine buyers, but also people who try to take advantage of the seller. The reason is simple: the car has a high value and the process often involves some urgency, direct contact and paperwork that many private sellers don’t fully understand.
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 quickly. The problem appears when they start asking for odd 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 a supposed transfer.
They ask you to accept a Bizum payment.
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 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 online scams aim to obtain personal or bank details, or to get the victim to make a payment under some pretext.
The good news is that many warning signs can be spotted if you know what to look for. The bad news is that the internet is still the internet, that theme park of misunderstood trust.
Warning signs when selling a car over the internet
Not all persistent buyers are scammers, but there are behaviours that should make you stop and think.
They want to close the deal too quickly
If someone wants to buy the car without seeing it, without test driving it, without checking the paperwork and without asking normal questions, be suspicious.
There can be determined buyers, of course. But in a transaction worth several thousand euros, checks are normal.
They don’t negotiate anything and accept the price instantly
Someone accepting the price without asking anything may seem like a blessing. Sometimes it is. Other times it’s the hook.
If they also offer to pay more than you asked for or say they need to close urgently, be careful.
They ask you to use strange payment methods
Be wary if the buyer suggests unusual methods, odd intermediaries, external links or payments that are hard to verify.
Payment should be clear, traceable and confirmed by your bank before you hand over the car.
They send you suspicious links
Never enter your passwords, bank details, ID number or sensitive information in links sent by a supposed buyer.
Always access your bank, the DGT or any official service manually. The National Police recommends not clicking suspicious links and manually accessing the official website or official app when sensitive transactions are involved.
They pressure you emotionally
Some scams use personal stories: moves, family emergencies, buyers abroad, military personnel posted overseas, transport companies, relatives who will pick up the car…
It may be true. It may also be cheap acting with expensive consequences.
They want to take the car before 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’s an image. And images, like some buyers’ dignity, are easy to fake.
The 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 seemingly valid receipt. They tell you the money will arrive in a few hours and that they need to take the car now.
The risk is obvious: the transfer may not have been made, may be cancelled, may be tampered with or may 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 credit.
2. Reverse Bizum
This scam is very common in online vehicle sales. The supposed buyer says they want to pay you a deposit by Bizum. But instead of sending you money, they send you a payment request. If you accept it thinking you are being paid, in reality you are paying them.
INCIBE explains that in the “reverse Bizum” scam the fraudster sends a money request instead of a payment, and the victim, by accepting without checking carefully, authorises the money to be sent to the fraudster. INCIBE even cites a real case of an online sale in which the supposed buyer offered a deposit by Bizum to reserve a vehicle.
How to avoid it
Always read the screen before accepting any transaction. To receive money by Bizum you do not need to accept a payment request. If the screen says you are sending money, cancel.
3. Buyer abroad
The buyer says they are outside Spain, that they can’t see the car and that they will send a transport company. Sometimes they offer more than the asking price.
They may then ask you to advance transport costs, insurance, customs or fees. They may also send fake links from 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 properly. If they ask you to pay something to unlock the transaction, that’s a bad sign.
4. Fake payment or verification links
The buyer sends you a link that supposedly serves to receive payment, verify your identity or arrange transport.
That link may steal your bank details, passwords, card details or personal information.
How to avoid it
Do not open links sent by strangers to collect payment for a sale. Use official channels and access them 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 they ask for some extra detail or strange action: accept a transaction, go to a website, send sensitive documents or pay a small fee.
How to avoid it
A real reservation should be clearly set out in writing, with the buyer’s identity, amount, purpose and conditions. If something doesn’t add up, don’t continue.
6. Fake documents
Some scammers may send ID cards, bank receipts, contracts or altered documents.
How to avoid it
Do not rely solely on documents sent via WhatsApp. Check identity, payment and details before handing over the vehicle.
7. Transport company scam
The buyer says they will send a transport company to collect the car. They may ask you to pay a fee in advance or share personal details with a supposed logistics company.
How to avoid it
Do not hand over the car to anyone without being paid and without 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 safely when selling a car
Payment is one of the most delicate parts of the transaction. This is not the time to improvise, no matter how much improvisation feels like 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 the only proof.
Receipts that you haven’t checked.
Emails supposedly sent by the bank.
Messages saying the payment is “on hold”.
Promises that it will arrive later.
The car is handed over when the money is confirmed.
Instant transfer
This can be a convenient option because the money arrives immediately or almost immediately. Even so, check in your online banking that the credit appears correctly.
Banker’s draft
It can be used, but it requires more caution. Verify with your bank that the draft is genuine and that the money is guaranteed before handing over the vehicle.
Cash
Cash can create problems with security, verification and legal limits depending on the type of transaction. For high amounts, it is usually not the best option between strangers.
Bizum
Bizum can be useful for small deposits, but you need to be extremely careful because of scams such as reverse Bizum. If you use Bizum, check whether you are receiving or sending money before confirming.
What details you shouldn’t share
To sell a car you need to provide certain information, but not everything goes.
Details you can share with caution
It is normal to share:
Make and model.
Year.
Mileage.
Registration number, if you choose to show it.
Condition of the car.
Photos.
Service history.
MOT.
Approximate location.
Basic information for the contract when the transaction is at an advanced stage.
Details you should protect
Don’t casually share:
Bank passwords.
SMS codes.
PIN.
Full photos of bank cards.
Copies of ID documents to strangers without need.
Sensitive paperwork before verifying the buyer.
Links to access personal services.
Online banking details.
If someone asks you for codes, passwords or odd confirmations, they are not buying your car. They are buying your distraction.
How to carry out a car test drive without risks
Many buyers will want to see or test the car before deciding. That’s normal. But it’s worth organising it properly.
Meet in a safe place
Choose a public, well-lit place with people around. Avoid isolated places or meeting in areas you don’t know.
Don’t go alone if you don’t feel comfortable
If the buyer makes you uneasy, go with someone. It’s not paranoia. It’s common sense with witnesses.
Ask for ID
Before letting them test drive the car, identify the buyer and check they have a driving licence.
Always accompany them during the test drive
Do not hand over the keys for the buyer to test the car alone. You or someone you trust should go along in the car.
Do not leave original paperwork uncontrolled
Do not hand over original documents until the transaction is completed. They may show documents for inspection, but keep them in sight.
Control the duration and route
Keep the test drive reasonable. You don’t need a cross-province expedition to decide whether a car brakes, turns and doesn’t sound like a wounded kettle.
What to check before signing the sale
Before signing, make sure everything is clear.
Buyer identity
You need to know who is buying the car. Check the DNI, NIE or NIF and make sure the details match those on the contract.
Final price
The price must be clear. Don’t 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.
Vehicle condition
Include in the contract the general condition, mileage, any known defects and whether it is handed over with a valid MOT.
Date and time of handover
The DGT recommends including the exact date and time of handover in the contract to avoid problems with later fines while the change of ownership has not yet been updated. It also advises not handing over the vehicle without the original signed sale contract from both buyer and seller.
Documentation
Before closing, prepare:
DNI or NIE.
Registration certificate.
Vehicle technical data sheet.
MOT.
Sale and purchase contract.
Proof of payment.
Vehicle report if you have it.
Documentation on outstanding finance or loans, if any.
You can review this guide on the documents needed to sell a car.
Contract, payment and handover: the correct order
The order matters. A lot. Doing it the other way round is an excellent way to turn a sale into an administrative problem on wheels.
Recommended order
Verify the buyer’s identity.
Check that all vehicle details are correct.
Sign the sale and purchase contract.
Receive and confirm payment.
Hand over the keys and agreed documents.
Record the date and time of handover.
Make a notification of sale if applicable.
Check that the buyer processes the change of ownership.
You can prepare the transaction with this guide on the car sale and purchase contract.
What to do after selling the car
The sale doesn’t end when you hand over the keys. There’s still the administrative side, that little reminder that no paperwork ever really dies until Traffic says so.
Change of ownership
The buyer must carry out the change of ownership. The DGT states that, after signing the sale and purchase contract, the buyer is obliged to complete the transfer or change of ownership within a maximum of 30 days.
You can see the full process in this guide on how to change a car’s ownership.
Notification of sale
As the seller, you can notify the sale to the DGT to avoid liability if the buyer takes time to change ownership. The DGT recommends doing it as soon as possible, because until the ownership change is made, fines, insurance matters or problems associated with the vehicle may continue to arrive for the previous owner.
Keep copies
Keep:
Signed contract.
Buyer’s ID or details.
Proof of payment.
Relevant conversations.
Proof of sale notification, if you make one.
Copy of documents handed over.
Cancel the insurance when appropriate
Once the transaction is complete and you have the relevant proof, contact your insurer to cancel or amend 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 buyers carefully and don’t accept odd deals outside the 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 specialised in motoring, but you’ll still need to manage contact, test drives and negotiation if you post an advert.
Here is the guide on selling a car on Coches.net.
If you use classifieds sites
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 websites for selling cars in Spain.
How Dealcar reduces risks when selling your car
One of the easiest 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 adverts on several portals and without relying on private buyers whose seriousness you can’t be sure of.
The idea 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 reduce risks because:
You don’t have to post adverts on multiple sites.
You avoid calls and haggling from private buyers.
You deal with professional buyers.
You can compare offers before deciding.
You reduce exposure to typical marketplace fraud.
You save time on filtering, test drives 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, review this list:
I have checked the buyer’s identity.
I have not clicked suspicious links.
I have not shared passwords, codes or sensitive banking details.
The payment is confirmed in my account.
I do not accept screenshots as the only proof of payment.
The contract is signed by both parties.
The contract includes the date and time of handover.
I have a copy of the buyer’s ID or details.
I have prepared the necessary documents.
I do not hand over the car before being paid.
I consider making a notification of sale.
I keep all proofs.
If a transaction fails on several points in this list, it is not a safe sale. It’s an invitation to suffer with a number 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 you to hand over the car before the money is confirmed. Requests for money via Bizum disguised as a payment 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 reverse Bizum, the fraudster sends a money request and the victim accepts it believing they are being paid. For high amounts, it’s better to use more traceable methods.
Can I hand over the car with a transfer receipt?
It is not recommended. A receipt or screenshot may be tampered with or may not guarantee 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 bank passwords, SMS codes, PIN, full card details or copies of sensitive documents before verifying the buyer. Also do not enter details in links sent by strangers.
What should the contract include to avoid problems?
It should include the buyer’s and seller’s details, vehicle details, registration number, VIN, mileage, price, payment method, date and time of handover, condition of the car and both parties’ signatures.
What do I do if the buyer does not change ownership?
You can make a notification of sale to the DGT to protect yourself. The DGT recommends notifying the sale as soon as possible if the buyer delays the ownership change.
Is it safer to sell to a dealership?
Selling to a professional buyer can reduce risks compared with dealing with strangers, although it is still worth checking the terms, contract and payment. With Dealcar you can receive offers from dealerships and compare them before deciding.
How can I sell without posting adverts?
You can sell to a direct-buy company or receive offers from dealerships through Dealcar. That way you avoid posting adverts, filtering messages and negotiating with private buyers.
