Be wary of a used car buying trick that manipulates your car's condition to seem defective...
Revamped Ruse: Warning for Car Sellers - Watch Out for the 'Dirty Oil' Trick
The infamous 'dirty oil' scam is back on the rise, targeting private car sellers. To avoid becoming an easy target, here are some crucial tips to keep in mind when listing your vehicle for sale.
Crafty fraudsters will arrive for a test drive, only to tamper with the engine to create a major issue, all while billowing smoke emanates from the engine. The masterminds behind this scam work in pairs, with one distracting the owner while the other pours engine oil into the coolant system.
With the smoky engine in tow, they'll deceptively offer to buy the car for around a third of the asking price, preying on unsuspecting owners. This deception has been reported time and time again by newspapers like The Daily Mail and This is Money, leaving sellers wary and on high alert.
Unmasking the Scammer's Modus Operandi
The 'dirty oil' trick usually follows a predictable pattern. Scammers will express interest in a car and schedule a visit to test drive it. Typically, they arrive in pairs or groups, sometimes with children in tow. While inspecting the car, one of the group will distract the owner seeking paperwork, spare wheels, or other documents, while another pours oil into the coolant system.
Only a few squirts of oil into the coolant system and the exhaust pipe are required to trigger the engine to smoke when starting or during the test drive. When smoke billows, the scammers pretend to inspect the engine again, claiming it's about to fail. This triggers a derisory offer to buy the car for scrap.
Guard Against the "Dirty Oil" Con
To protect yourself, have someone with you during any viewings and test drives. This way, you always have an extra set of eyes on the car and can spot any suspicious behavior.
Taking pictures of the engine bay and coolant bottle before test drives is also advisable. By taking time-stamped photos, you create proof of the vehicle's condition before the test drive.
Moreover, show potential buyers that you have checked the oil and coolant levels before the test drive begins, demonstrating your awareness of the trick. Never leave your car unattended, and if you notice any suspicious tampering, don't start the engine until a mechanic can inspect it. By doing so, you save yourself the cost of potential repairs.
In conclusion, taking simple precautions can help you protect yourself against the 'dirty oil' scam and other similar fraudulent activities. Keep your eyes open, document your vehicle's condition, and surround yourself with a support system to ensure a safer, smoother, and more trustworthy transaction process.
- Detecting potential fraudsters is crucial when selling a car, as the 'dirty oil' trick, involving pouring oil into coolant systems, has been reported frequently in general-news sources like The Daily Mail and This is Money.
- Scammers usually follow a pattern in the 'dirty oil' scam, arriving in pairs or groups, distracting the car owner while tampering with the engine, and creating a major issue, such as smoke coming from the engine, to drive down the selling price.
- To guard against the 'dirty oil' con, it's advisable to have someone with you during viewings and test drives, take pictures of the engine bay and coolant bottle before test drives, demonstrate that you have checked the oil and coolant levels, and never leave the car unattended.
- By taking these precautions and keeping a support system, you can protect yourself from the 'dirty oil' scam and other fraudulent activities, ensuring a safer, smoother, and more trustworthy transaction process.
