Pls Help! Autotrader Car Scam

overtherainsbow

Hi,
I saw a car advertised on autotrader, went to see it twice and paid a £200 deposit. Was then told car was written off. Seller was listed as a trader seller. Assumed the right off to be genuine and was told I'd get deposit back. Been 2 months trying to reclaim and now it's clear seller isn't going to refund. Contacted autotrader and trading standards. I think this is a much bigger scam than just myself.

Any suggestions about how I can find out if others have had this problem. Got person's trade name - am I okay to list here?
Thank you.

unholyangel

Have you checked they are a genuine trader and not a private seller posing as one?

overtherainsbow

Hi
How do I do that?
Ta

unholyangel

Did they give you a invoice or receipt of any kind forthe deposit? Are they located at a garage/forecourt?

overtherainsbow

I had a receipt for the deposit but there is no address on it just the company name, car reg and the value of the deposit.
The person was registered as a trader on autotrader but they didn't operate from a garage. I met them near their home (but I have no address). Probably best to think of them as a private seller.

unholyangel

If they're trading as a company then they should be listed with company house.

I know a trader cant pose as a private sellar but not sure if the same holds true for the reverse (although it should as it may be misleading enough to push someone to make a purchase thinking they had the security they're a trader when they arent).

How did you pay the deposit? Cash? How have you tried to reclaim it? Have you sent him a letter recorded delivery? Also, what makes you so sure he wont refund it? Has he stated this and what reason did he give?

Enfieldian

Er, misleading thread title.....

Nothing to do with Autotrader.

You could post the name of the company that you are dealing with though.

sarahg1969

You don't have to be listed with Companies House to be a motor trader. Limited companies are listed with Companies House.

overtherainsbow

Hi
Had a look on company house and not registered. I think it was a scammer pretending to be a trader. As you say, this gives a false sense of security. I paid cash. Have tried to reclaim via contact with the seller...sending texts, phone calls. Got no address to send a letter but hopefully might be able to get this via Trading Standards. After I contacted autotrader I sent him a text to say they were going to get in touch for an email address and he sent a text to say he'd tell Autotrader and Trading Standards he's given me the £200 - yeah right!

overtherainsbow

Sorry if the title is misleading. This is my first ever post. I just thought if others had had a similar experience with this seller it would be via autotrader (he had loads of cars on when I made my purchase). I think the seller is changing the name he uses on a regular basis.

sarahg1969

Just because he's not on Companies House doesn't mean he's not a trader. In fact, you probably wouldn't expect to find a small-time trader on Companies House. Also, I'd have thought that it's unlikely that a private seller would generally pretend to be a trader. However, a scammer (ie someone not even selling cars) may do so, of course.

If you know his name, you may be able to find his address by looking on 192.com or something similar. Alternatively, you could ask Autotrader or Trading Standards to provide you with his address, if they have it, for the purposes of court proceedings.