is this a scam?

lil_miss_17

I saw a car advertised on auto trader which was cheap, but could be a cat c/d which we don't mind as we don't have a huge budget. It had those photos saying email don't call but has a link to a trade website. So i followed the link and now I'm confused as to whether this is a scam or not, our just a trader trying to sell privately? What duo you think? (PS i haven't been in touch with the seller)

http://www.patrickseftoncars.co.uk/used-cars/vauxhall-astra-1-9-cdti-16v-sri-150-3dr-surrey-201304500246407

bob_a_builder

Clearly he is trading rather than private - but the point is did the original Ad in Autotrader say Trade or Private ?

But a trader only offering a mobile number as contact on his web site is probably best avoided !

there is a post code, but is there a physical premises?

myusernamehasgone_2

If you Google earth the address it is a very nice street in surrey with lots of swimming pools in the Gardens!
That being said he has a lot of cars listed in the auto trader and he is listed with a lot of company search engines - Probably ok but you could phone the local trading standards or police station they would have an idea

victor2

This is the autotrader ad:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201301285091135/usedcars?atcide=emgm6
So, a dealer trying to sell privately, perhaps to avoid any warranty or comeback?

Could be the same as buying privately, so may not be a scam as such. I'd just ask why is the dealer trying to shift it that way.

lil_miss_17

Good idea!
I googled the postcode and used satellite view - it's a residential street, but we have bought cars from traders with no premises in the past so not a big no no. His company isn't registered with companies house, but no idea if that's relevant?
The original add is a trade listing btw

apn70

I'd run a mile!

It's priced way to cheap, and if you look the other cars listed he has an 09 Ford Kuga for £2800.

It seems a common con these days to put an email on the photograph. I've seen another genuine dealer's site hijacked this way before.

forgotmyname

Probably in Portugal.

bob_a_builder

I'd just ask why is the dealer trying to shift it that way.

To evade any future responsibility for it one assumes !

Autotrader ad seems to have gone ( or link broken) - someone reported him already ?

albionrovers

Why post this at all? If in doubt ...

motorguy

victor2 wrote: »

This is the autotrader ad:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201301285091135/usedcars?atcide=emgm6
So, a dealer trying to sell privately, perhaps to avoid any warranty or comeback?

Could be the same as buying privately, so may not be a scam as such. I'd just ask why is the dealer trying to shift it that way.

Its clearly a scam.

The traders account has been hacked, hence the 'please email me' correspondence.

Its very common, and has been removed.