how to check legitimacy of a classified advert

[steveu19]

I've responded to a classified advert for a vehicle which has been advertised at a very competitive price.  The seller has been slow to respond (via ebay) and answered questions with (literally) just one or two words and has yet to provide name or address to view the vehicle.  The telephone number does not get answered and I've had no response to a text message.  They seem in no hurry to arrange a viewing and in the meanwhile have dropped the price by around 10%!  They only joined ebay a few weeks ago and have only the one listing and no feedback.  The behaviour seems strange for someone wanting to sell.  Is there any other way I can check the legitimacy of the advert or be aware of a possible scam?  I've googled the phone number and found nothing .  Checks on the vehicle reg all seem OK so far.

[tobiasd4]

There is no ebay protection for vehicles.

Site is full of scam vehicle ads.

As it is classified ad, all  dealings are between you & seller.

NEVER part with any money until you have seen & inspected car.

[plpmr]

All you can do is check it out as if an ad in a shop window.

Your only safety is that you pay cash or such like only after fully checking out the vehicle.

[steveu19]

One possible problem is that by responding to a classified ad the seller is provided with your name, address, telephone number and email address. This could be used for information harvesting so one has to be extra alert to subsequent scam attempts.

[red_magpie]

eBay's "classified ads" are intended to replicate the small ads in a local paper. The seller pays a fee to advertise, but the actual transaction takes place outside of eBay - and there is no eBay buyer protection (as there isn't any anyway, for motor vehicles).

So you check the legitimacy of the sale in the same way that you would if you responded to a small ad in the local paper, or in a shop window. You go to view the item, inspect it thoroughly, in the case of a motor vehicle have an HPI check carried out and check the vehicle's previous history carefully.

In other words, it's like it used to be! As my father always taught me, “caveat emptor” or “let the buyer beware.” You check the item properly, make your own decisions and don't expect anybody else to bail you out if you get it wrong.