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Buying a car on AutoTrader

AutoTrader is the UK's biggest used-car marketplace, but private sales come with no buyer protection — every bit of due diligence is on you.

Upload a screenshot of the AutoTrader listing

We attach it to your report so you have a record of what was advertised next to the bank-account check.

Drop, paste, or click to upload

PNG, JPG, or WebP

Next: pick the level of check, then we'll collect the bank details from the seller.

In 2025, over £1.2 billion was stolen by fraudsters in the UK. Verify before you pay.

What we check

5 checks across the UK's most-trusted data sources, run in under 30 seconds.

Confirmation of Payee

Bank account matches the payee name

Companies House

Company registered & active

VAT verification

VAT number valid

DVLA Vehicle Check

Make, year, tax & MOT status

Seller Reviews

Reputation on Google, Trustpilot & more

Three things to verify before you part with thousands of pounds: the car (DVLA + history), the seller's identity, and the bank account you're transferring to.

How to stay safe

Tips before you transfer

Run a vehicle history check

Confirm the make, year, MOT and tax via DVLA. A Robust check on whoamipaying does this in seconds.

Verify the bank account before any deposit

Even a 'small refundable deposit' is a common scam entry point. Run CoP on the account first — if the name doesn't match the seller, don't pay.

See the car at the registered address

Match the V5C registered address to where you're viewing. Curbside meetings in supermarket car parks are a red flag for stolen vehicles.

Don't transfer until you have keys in hand

Pay in person when collecting, or via escrow for higher-value vehicles. Never transfer before sighting the car.

Red flags

Common scam patterns

  • 'Shipping company' middleman who needs payment before the car arrives
  • Seller's bank account is in a different name (often a money mule)
  • Listed mileage / service history doesn't match what the V5C shows
  • Refusal to meet at the registered keeper's address

Verify before you transfer

Enter the bank details from the invoice and we'll show you what we can verify in seconds. No account needed to pay.

Start a check

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