Is a Facebook Marketplace car seller asking for a holding deposit a scam?
Frequently yes. Fake car listings on social marketplaces are designed to extract a deposit before you ever see the vehicle.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
Scammers post car listings at attractive prices and claim the car is stored elsewhere — often with a relative or in a compound. They ask for a small 'holding deposit' via bank transfer to reserve it before you come to view. Once the money is sent, the seller becomes unavailable, the listing disappears, and there is no car. Legitimate private sellers rarely require a deposit before you have inspected the vehicle in person; dealers who do take deposits have a physical address, a written receipt, and a cancellation policy. Always insist on viewing the car at its current location before paying anything.
Common red flags
- Car is priced significantly below market value
- Seller cannot show you the car at its current location
- Pressure to pay a deposit quickly before another buyer takes it
- Payment requested by bank transfer, not cash on collection
- Profile created recently with few or no previous listings
What to do now
- Never pay a deposit before viewing a vehicle in person
- Run the registration plate through an official vehicle history checker
- Meet at the seller's address shown on the V5C logbook
- If scammed, report to Action Fraud or your national fraud authority
Frequently asked questions
What if the seller sends me photos and a video of the car?
Photos and videos can be copied from legitimate listings or generated with AI. They prove nothing about ownership or the car's actual condition.