Renowned car mechanic Scotty Kilmer has cautioned potential buyers of used cars to be aware of the “biggest scam” in 2025. According to Scotty, certain dealerships may deceive buyers of petrol, diesel, and electric cars by concealing crucial information.
One such tactic is falsifying vehicle documents, which can cause issues for the buyer in the future. To avoid this, Scotty emphasizes the importance of verifying the registered owner of the vehicle before making a purchase.
If the registered owner is not the same person selling the car, Scotty advises to walk away from the deal. In the UK, motorists can check the registered owner by examining the V5C certificate.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Scotty warned: “Today I’m going to show you one of the biggest scams in used car sales. Disreputable used car lots will advertise a car on Craigslist or Facebook but they’ll have a private individual pretending it’s their car.”
He continued: “So demand to see the title like this. It shows that I’m the present owner and the previous wonder was [Mr and Mrs] Martin,” reports the Express.
Scotty stressed: “If the present owner isn’t the same name as a person selling you the car, run away.” He added: “So people might say what’s in a name? Well the name on the title, there’s a lot in that.”
Drivers praised Scotty on social media for the valuable advice, with some sharing their own close calls with scammers. YouTuber @tedmich commented: “Curb siders were guys that sold multiple cars as ‘private owners’ without registering as a dealer, it’s incredibly common.”
Another user, @szki272, shared: “A local car lot tried doing that here in California of all places took about 8 months to get plates for my son’s truck. Guess they had a bunch of problems with selling a truck not registered to them.”
A simple check before purchase can save time and hassle if discrepancies are found. Additionally, AutoTrader recommends that buyers obtain a receipt with the seller’s details after completing a purchase for added peace of mind.
They advise: “When the deal has been done, it’s also important to get a receipt and ensure there are copies for both buyer and seller.”
“The receipt should include full details of the buyer and seller such as name and address, date of purchase, the vehicle’s specifications (including its registration number and mileage, as well as the basics such as vehicle make and model), and confirmation that the seller has received the agreed amount of money for the car.”
“This receipt should be signed by both and kept as proof of purchase and payment.”