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Buying online doesn’t have to feel like you’re leaping into the unknown and there are ways to keep safe, too, by combining common sense with a bit of detective work.
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 Before you agree to meet a seller to check out your potential buy, find out as much as you can about them. On eBay Motors, check what their member profile and feedback ratings are like. In the ‘Meet the Seller’ section you can find out how long they’ve been registered or whether they’ve changed their user name recently. Ask them as many questions as you can about the car – it’s all about building up confidence in each other, establishing a relationship and the likelihood of the sale. If they are a good, trustworthy seller they won’t mind answering a few questions.
 Never meet a private seller on your own. As well as offering you added safety and moral support, it’s good to have someone to keep your feet on the ground if you see a car you really like. It’s even better if your friend has more car knowledge and/or muscles than you!
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Always meet at a private seller’s house rather than a random location. That way it's less likely the car is stolen and you can also gain clues as to the sort of person you’re dealing with by looking at the neighbourhood. If it’s a really rough, run-down area, chances are you’re not buying from royalty!
It’s a good idea to pay to have a check done on the car to find out its full history. Has it been fully paid for? Was it written off and then repaired before being sold on to you? Did the owner lie about the number of previous owners, or how long they’ve had it? Also, make sure all the registration numbers, names of the owner and so on tally on all the documentation. Run a Vehicle Status Report to identify whether the car you are interested in has been reported as stolen, or as an insurance write-off, or whether it has outstanding finance or mileage inconsistencies. eBay users can purchase the VSR directly through the Vehicle Registration Mark link on each car listing, at the exclusive discount price of £6.99 per report (normal RRP £39.95).
The car seems brilliant on paper and it drove ok but there’s a nagging feeling in the pit of your stomach. Trust yourself: if something just doesn’t feel right, walk away while you still have the cash in your pocket. If the seller is true to their word, a paper and mechanical check shouldn’t be a problem, should it?
It’s more than reasonable not to feel comfortable meeting a stranger with huge wads of cash in your handbag. Make sure you agree on method and timing of payment before you view and test drive the car. A banker’s draft could be just as acceptable as cash if they’re not prepared to take a cheque. But don’t pay via Western Union or MoneyGram – they’re banned on eBay as they’re not safe forms of payment.
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