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.
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We attach it to your report so you have a record of what was advertised next to the bank-account check.
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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, according to UK Finance. 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.
Tips before you transfer
Run a vehicle history check
Confirm the make, year, MOT and tax via DVLA. An Enhanced 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.
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
UK marketplaces compared
Buyer protection and top scam pattern for each of the six UK marketplaces we cover.
| Marketplace | Buyer protection | Off-platform payment | Top scam pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Facebook Marketplace | None | Standard — bank transfer / cash | Bank account name mismatch |
| eBay | Money Back Guarantee (on-platform payments) | Common when sellers push direct payment | Fake 'second-chance offer' emails |
| Gumtree | None | Standard | Reused photos from other listings |
| AutoTrader | Trader-listed only (private sales unprotected) | Standard for private sales | Shipping middleman for a car that doesn't exist |
| Checkatrade | Trade vetting; no payment cover | Standard — direct to the trade | Compromised email — invoice bank details swapped |
| Preloved | None | Standard | Recently created seller account, no history |
Frequently asked
- How do I check if a seller on AutoTrader is genuine?
- Run the bank account they've given you through Confirmation of Payee — a mismatch between the account holder name and the seller is the strongest fraud signal you'll get. If they're trading as a company, cross-check the number against Companies House and confirm any VAT number with HMRC. All three checks run in under a minute at whoamipaying?.
- What are the biggest scams on AutoTrader?
- 'Shipping company' middleman who needs payment before the car arrives. Seller's bank account is in a different name (often a money mule) These patterns show up on almost every UK marketplace — the platform-specific twist is usually how the seller pressures you off-platform or asks for direct bank transfer.
- Is it safe to pay by bank transfer on AutoTrader?
- Bank transfer offers no built-in buyer protection — once the money's sent it's rarely recoverable, even if fraud is proven later. If you have to use it, verify the payee bank account matches the seller's name first. For higher-value items, use a card or an escrow service so Section 75 / chargeback rights apply.
- What should I do if I've already paid a scammer?
- Contact your bank immediately to attempt a recall on the transfer, then report the fraud to Action Fraud (0300 123 2040 or actionfraud.police.uk) and to the platform. The faster you act, the higher the chance your bank can freeze the funds under the Contingent Reimbursement Model.
- Does whoamipaying? cost anything to try?
- The first check is £2.50 with no account required. Multi-check packs bring the cost down to £1.43 per check, and business accounts get volume rates from around £0.70. There's no subscription — you top up when you need to.
Related reading
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.
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