Unfortunately, the internet has made it easier to do business in Nigeria, increasing the potential for buyers to fall prey to online car fraud. If you are excited about buying a car and combed through dealership advertisements and promotions before finally deciding to buy a car and becoming a victim of an online car scam. Knowing this can feel frightening and devastating.
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Online fraud is a major problem in e-commerce, and the local auto market has not escaped this nasty activity. There are many ways that buyers can be deceived or misled when buying used or new vehicles in Nigeria.
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Car scammers are always attractive. Auto fraud usually involves gaining the trust of the buyer and then denying them the true history of the vehicle. Some forms of online car scams are very difficult to detect. If you think you may become the latest victim in a car-buying scam, we have got you covered.
How can I find out if hidden problems exist?
Some car scams can be very difficult to detect, but there are tips and tricks to uncover hidden problems in any car. Many defects, such as the year of manufacture of the vehicle, are very easy to spot.
Another thing to watch out for is the 10th digit of your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This is best seen by looking at the underside of the windshield on the driver’s side. One of the few online databases that provide recall information (such as adac.de or kba.de) allows you to look up pending manufacturer recalls.
Odometer operation and collision damage to the vehicle are difficult to detect in isolation, whether the frame is damaged or the damage is fully written off by the insurance.
A tip for working with analogue odometers is to make sure the numbers on the odometer line up correctly. For hidden damage to the vehicle, you can check if the vehicle has been repainted in the gaps in the body panels or inside the doors. Otherwise, you can bring your vehicle to a properly trained professional mechanic for full inspection.
What should I do if I think a car scammer has scammed me?
If you think a car scammer has tricked you, you might feel helpless. Many people have had similar experiences, and there are professional fraud lawyers who help scam buyers. Luckily, you are not alone.
We encourage you to send a formal complaint to the seller by registered mail with details of any defects or imperfections found. Obvious defects or similar anomalies, such as those indicating undocumented repairs, must be photographed to clarify the facts and reported defects.
Purchasing agreements, especially agreements regarding the condition of the vehicle, must always be recorded in writing. This often doesn’t happen in the middle of a pitch, so there should always be another person who can see everything the salesperson says. Collect all relevant documents related to the purchase of the vehicle. If possible, put together a written summary of the event that occurred.
What obligations do buyers and sellers have?
In the event of car fraud, the buyer is entitled to basic warranties such as additional performance, price reductions, and withdrawal from the contract in the event of material defects. You have the right to get
However, the seller principally reserves the right to correct the defect, i.e., the supplementary performance mentioned above, by himself. For certain deficiencies, such as incorrect model year information from the manufacturer or (non-applicable) ‘no accident’ vehicle condition agreements, this supplemental performance is not possible for practical reasons.
Therefore, you can demand a reduction in the purchase price or a withdrawal from the sales contract. Once you start trading, it can be not easy to follow the steps.
Frequency Asked Questions
Is It Safe to Buy and Sell Cars Online?
How do I know if a car advertised online is a scam?
Conclusion
When shopping abroad, never trust sellers or buyers who say their transactions are guaranteed by eBay, Craigslist, PayPal, or other online marketplaces. These websites do not expressly warrant the legitimacy of individuals who use their services.
Beware of misrepresentation of vehicle condition. Ensure you do a personal check and verification to ensure that the car you purchased has not been damaged or turned out to be a different model than advertising.
Even if you buy a car online, you will always meet potential sellers in public places such as shopping malls, public parks, societies, and cheap garages. Please consult a vehicle expert before purchasing. You can also buy all cars from verified car sales sites like Carmart.ng.
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