Buying or selling used cars in Temple and the region is not without risks. While there are reputable, transparent dealerships and private parties with a strong moral compass and sense of integrity, there are also those who are… less ethically inclined, shall we say.

The problem is that the prevalence of these rogue elements and their machinations is on the rise, putting both honest buyers and sellers in difficult situations, cranking their alertness levels to 11, and overall making every deal more complicated than it needs to be.

There’s no point denying it: scammers are smart. They are smart, they are capable, they are bold, and they are ruthless – but they are also recognizable – especially to those who know what they’re looking for and who are willing to take a few extra minutes to do their research.

That’s why, today, we’re bringing you a list of the 5 most common car buying scams – to help you identify them at a glance, so you can protect yourself, your money, your ride, and most importantly – your peace of mind.

What scams should I watch out for when buying a car?

Among the most used car buying scams, you’ll find “classics” such as the Odometer Rollback and Too-Good-To-Be-True Price, but also several lesser-known and more intricate ones, such as Title Washing, VIN Cloning, and Fake Escrow Services. Let’s break them down.

Too-Good-To-Be-True Price

What scams should I watch out for when buying a car

Probably the oldest trick in the book, and for a good reason – it’s still effective. How it works is that the scammer will list the ride for an incredibly low price and follows it up with an emotional story (e.g., “my gramps died and we need to sell this car to pay for the funeral” or “wifey left (usually with a yoga instructor) and took everything, and now I need to sell my precious ride”). 

Plausible and heartbreaking as their stories may be, in the majority of cases, they are fake and exist solely to get you to lower your guard. And once you do, they’re moving to the second part of their master plan: getting you to give them all or at least part of the money upfront, usually to “cover some expenses”. If it gets to this point, it’s your cue to peace out.

How to protect yourself:

  • If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is;
  • NEVER send money before meeting the seller in person and testing the vehicle;
  • Request vehicle details (VIN, serial number, service records, car history) and to an online lookup;
  • Do a reverse search of the listing image with Google (simply right-click on the image and select “Search with Google Lens”) to see if the car is listed as stolen.
    • Note: This doesn’t always work, but it only takes seconds, so you might as well try it.

Odometer Rollback

Another “classic”, this scam involves manually rolling back the odometer reading (i.e., lowering the mileage) to make the car seem less driven than it actually is. The danger of this scam lies in the real possibility of buying a car with a lot more wear and tear than advertised, which can result in costly repairs or difficulties selling it.

How to protect yourself:

  • Always review maintenance records and inspection reports;
  • Check the mileage on the vehicle history report and compare it to the odometer reading. If the discrepancy is too big, there’s a good chance that the odometer has been tampered with;
  • Inspect the vehicle for signs of wear that don’t match the mileage (e.g., worn pedals or steering wheel, ragged edges on the seats, etc.)

Title Washing

Now we’re entering the domain of more complex (and more fraudulent) scams. In this one, the seller attempts to “mask” a vehicle’s salvage, flood, or total loss history, most commonly by transferring the title through multiple states, especially those with less stringent reporting rules (e.g., Texas, California, Mississippi, etc.).

This effectively makes the car seem “clean” on paper when, in reality, it is often badly damaged and unsafe for use. In addition, this tactic is often used to “clear” the stolen vehicle, making it that much more dangerous to succumb to it.

How to protect yourself:

  • Always request vehicle history reports. This can easily be done online, via platforms such as Carfax, AutoCheck, and similar.
  • Check for recent title transfers across state lines. This is one of the most obvious indicators of title washing.
  • Ask for the service records and scrutinize any inconsistencies or missing/incomplete information.

VIN Cloning

Similar to Title Washing (and often used in conjunction), VIN Cloning involves copying a legitimate Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) from a similar make and model vehicle, and then slapping it on a stolen or salvaged vehicle. The two biggest dangers of falling for this scam are:

  • A salvage vehicle, while operational, may be unsafe to drive, thereby jeopardizing the lives of the passengers and other traffic participants;
  • If the vehicle is stolen, the authorities may confiscate it. What’s worse, you won’t be entitled to any compensation, and you may even be fined.

How to protect yourself:

  • Check that the VIN on the dashboard, driver’s door sticker, and paperwork – they must all match;
  • Do the VIN Lookup online;
    • It is also highly recommended to run the VIN through the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) database via their website;
  • Check for signs of tampering with the VIN plate (these are typically obvious, since they are as delicate as the hammer used for tampering with the plate);
used cars near me in Temple

Fake Escrow Services

This one can be “standalone”, but is frequently used in conjunction with other scams, most commonly the “Too-Good-To-Be-True”. How it works is that the scammers will say that they’ll use their “trusted” escrow service to handle the funds and shipping.

However, the service, the website – it’s all fake and serves only one purpose: to give them a safe, untraceable way to disappear with your hard-earned cash. The biggest danger of this scam is that the money you lose this way is virtually impossible to get back.

How to protect yourself:

  • Always use a reputable, verifiable escrow company (such as Escrow.com, for example);
    • Always verify the legitimacy of the service that the seller suggests;
  • If the seller insists or tries to pressure you into using their “trusted” escrow service – walk away.
    • You may give them the benefit of the doubt if the escrow company is actually legitimate (which you’ll have to verify, of course), but in most cases, it’s better not to risk it.

Where can I buy used cars near me in Temple, TX risk-free?

Looking for a risk-free car buying experience? Look no further than B.Y.O.T., where every transaction is easy, transparent, and safe! Our inventory is brimming with quality, affordable used rides of every shape and size, including the increasingly popular used electric vehicles (EVs) that’ll give you top value for your money – now and in the long run.

We have locations near you in Austin and Waco, so we’re just a short drive away either way – or flight, if you decide to catch one from Draughton-Miller Airport and return home with a fresh new ride. Just bear in mind that our stock rotates super-fast and don’t wait – visit us today and discover why your neighbors trust us!