Is a used car seller asking for a deposit before I can view the car a scam?
Yes. No legitimate private seller or dealer requires a deposit before you view a car. This is a standard vehicle fraud tactic.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
Online vehicle scams often feature attractively priced cars with a compelling story — the seller is moving abroad, deployed in the military, or working through a third-party 'buyer protection' scheme. They ask for a deposit to hold the car before you can see it. Once paid, the car is unavailable or the seller disappears. Some use cloned listings from legitimate platforms. Always view a vehicle in person before any money changes hands. If a seller refuses in-person viewing or applies pressure for a pre-viewing deposit, treat the listing as fraudulent regardless of how convincing the photos or descriptions appear.
Common red flags
- Seller asks for a deposit or holding fee before you can view the car
- Price is significantly below market value for the make and model
- Seller claims they are abroad or deploying and cannot meet
- Payment requested through an escrow service you have never heard of
What to do now
- Never pay any fee before viewing and inspecting the car in person
- Verify the registration plate through an official DVLA or DMV check
- Reverse-image-search the listing photos to check for duplication
- Report fraudulent listings to the platform and Action Fraud or IC3
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to buy a car through an online escrow service?
Only use established, verifiable escrow services. Many vehicle scams invent fake escrow companies — always verify the escrow service's registration independently before sending funds.