CarCheckHQ
Check a car

Guide

A buyer asked me to buy a vehicle check from their link. What should I do?

Don't buy it. A buyer who wants a vehicle history check can run one with your car's registration. If someone keeps pushing you to pay for a report from a link they send, treat it as a warning sign.

Published by CarCheckHQ · Updated . Written by the CarCheckHQ team.

Why the request doesn't add up

A history check helps the buyer decide whether to buy, so the buyer normally pays for it. Your registration is on the number plate, so a buyer can check the car without you.

Signs to watch for:

  • They name one website and won't accept a check from anywhere else.
  • They offer more than your asking price if you buy the report first.
  • They want the report before they've seen the car.
  • They say they've been let down before and need you to prove the car is clean.
  • They ask to move the chat off the selling platform.

What to do instead

  • Say no to buying the report. You don't need to give a reason.
  • Offer the registration and let the buyer run their own check, from any provider they choose.
  • Invite them to view the car and its paperwork in person.
  • Don't send photos of your log book or other documents to someone you haven't met.
  • If they keep pushing, stop replying and block them on the platform.

Keep your card details safe

  • Never enter your card details on a website a buyer sends you.
  • GOV.UK advises: "Do not give out private information (such as bank details or passwords), reply to text messages, download attachments or click on any links in emails if you're not sure they're genuine."
  • If you've already paid, contact your bank or card provider straight away. Use the number on the back of your card.

Where to report it

  • The selling platform. Use the platform's own report tool on the message or the profile, so it can act on the account.
  • Report Fraud (previously Action Fraud). If you've lost money and you're in England or Wales, report it online or call 0300 123 2040.
  • Police Scotland. In Scotland, if you've lost money, report the crime to Police Scotland.
  • Suspicious emails and texts. Forward emails to report@phishing.gov.uk and texts to 7726, as GOV.UK advises.

Questions sellers ask

Should a seller pay for a vehicle history check?

You don't have to. A buyer can run a check with the registration and pay for it themselves. Some sellers choose to buy a report for their own advert, from a provider they pick.

Is it safe to give a buyer my registration?

The registration is on the car's number plate, so sharing it is normal. Keep your log book details, bank details and card details to yourself.

Does CarCheckHQ ever ask sellers to buy a report?

No. We never ask anyone to buy a report on someone else's behalf.

Limitations

This is general safety advice for private sellers in the UK. It isn't legal or financial advice. We can't tell you whether a particular buyer is genuine. Reporting services can change, so check the pages in the sources below.

Sources