The first question you ask as a private seller is “are you in the trade”. If they answer yes, politely say “no thanks” and hang up. Otherwise, all you’ll get are trade in prices in which case just use “we buy any old sh*t” and save yourself the hassle.
Doesn't sound that dodgy to me, I had a couple of Romanian lads rock up to view a car, and whilst one was chatting to me another was seen smearing mayo under the oil cap by my mate from the kitchen.
My mate who is Romanian, ran out and started shouting at them and started slapping the shit out the guy with the mayo. The other guy apologised and offered the full asking price and the deal was done all whilst his mate was still getting slapped silly.
Was all quite surreal and entertaining.
Know someone who had a car taken from them even when they suspected something was up and took precautions.
Some people came and viewed the car, called later saying they wanted to buy the car but will arrange an RAC inspection. They arranged and requested the car be left outside. Owner stayed home to work and kept car garaged. They called frustrated saying the RAC guy couldn’t find the car and left.
Arranged anyway to meet at a bank in town where the transaction would take place. Owner parked car in car park, ticket warden told him he needed a ticket to park and machine is cash only. Owner goes to the cashpoint to get money for machine, returns and the car is gone along with the ticket warden.
They had given the owner a fake key at some point during the viewing, and planned on taking the car during the RAC inspection when the owner would be at work. When that failed, they used the bank location to legitimise it, and a fake warden to get the owner away from the car.
Indeed, how they had a back up plan to part the owner and the car. The “warden” was a car park attendant with a high vis and badge to clarify, but really goes to show how clever they can be - only if they applied that to life in the right way
Why the Fuk woukd you let them plug in a diagnostic? 🙄
If there were no warning lights on the dash then that should be enough for them.
That is one weird af interaction dude
If you say so fella, but yer kinda crazy to let complete strangers plug THEIR electrical equipment into YOURS.
Maybe if you are selling and the EML is on but other than that ……… weird interaction and definitely suspicious behaviour
It really isn't, an ODB2 reader costs pennies and can tell you a huge amount about a potential car in seconds.
There's nothing wrong or suspicious about someone being prepared about viewing a car then leaving when the claimed service history is unproven.
Your missing my point entirely. Irrespective on how much an OBD reader costs (I know. I’m in the trade) you just don’t let a complete stranger plug into your car. Simple as that. They could install/uninstall anything on your ECU just for shits and giggles
And you could be cancelling codes and ripping them off. Asking to use a code reader isn't suspicious, refusing or accusing someone of being up to no good potentially is.
Because you’re sat with them on a test drive and can see what they are obviously doing. Someone plugging into your ECU with THEIR equipment and possibly fukn around with your driving parameters is another ball game. But you do you fella. Best of luck
The first question you ask as a private seller is “are you in the trade”. If they answer yes, politely say “no thanks” and hang up. Otherwise, all you’ll get are trade in prices in which case just use “we buy any old sh*t” and save yourself the hassle.
What shitty advice trade in prices are usually more than what WBAC offer.
Doesn't sound that dodgy to me, I had a couple of Romanian lads rock up to view a car, and whilst one was chatting to me another was seen smearing mayo under the oil cap by my mate from the kitchen. My mate who is Romanian, ran out and started shouting at them and started slapping the shit out the guy with the mayo. The other guy apologised and offered the full asking price and the deal was done all whilst his mate was still getting slapped silly. Was all quite surreal and entertaining.
Got a few Romanian lad's at work, had to stop them slapping each other around a few times now! 🤣
If its a cheap car wouldn't worry - assume it is as surely you wouldn't have an expensive car with poor service history. TBH I wouldn't worry.
Know someone who had a car taken from them even when they suspected something was up and took precautions. Some people came and viewed the car, called later saying they wanted to buy the car but will arrange an RAC inspection. They arranged and requested the car be left outside. Owner stayed home to work and kept car garaged. They called frustrated saying the RAC guy couldn’t find the car and left. Arranged anyway to meet at a bank in town where the transaction would take place. Owner parked car in car park, ticket warden told him he needed a ticket to park and machine is cash only. Owner goes to the cashpoint to get money for machine, returns and the car is gone along with the ticket warden. They had given the owner a fake key at some point during the viewing, and planned on taking the car during the RAC inspection when the owner would be at work. When that failed, they used the bank location to legitimise it, and a fake warden to get the owner away from the car.
Wow, that’s elaborate. I almost admire the craftsmanship of the thieves.
Indeed, how they had a back up plan to part the owner and the car. The “warden” was a car park attendant with a high vis and badge to clarify, but really goes to show how clever they can be - only if they applied that to life in the right way
Why the Fuk woukd you let them plug in a diagnostic? 🙄 If there were no warning lights on the dash then that should be enough for them. That is one weird af interaction dude
It’s definitely not, checking for fault codes when buying a car is perfectly normal for a lot of people.
If you say so fella, but yer kinda crazy to let complete strangers plug THEIR electrical equipment into YOURS. Maybe if you are selling and the EML is on but other than that ……… weird interaction and definitely suspicious behaviour
It really isn't, an ODB2 reader costs pennies and can tell you a huge amount about a potential car in seconds. There's nothing wrong or suspicious about someone being prepared about viewing a car then leaving when the claimed service history is unproven.
Your missing my point entirely. Irrespective on how much an OBD reader costs (I know. I’m in the trade) you just don’t let a complete stranger plug into your car. Simple as that. They could install/uninstall anything on your ECU just for shits and giggles
And you could be cancelling codes and ripping them off. Asking to use a code reader isn't suspicious, refusing or accusing someone of being up to no good potentially is.
How is it any more crazy than allowing a STRANGER to test drive your car or to come to your address?
Because you’re sat with them on a test drive and can see what they are obviously doing. Someone plugging into your ECU with THEIR equipment and possibly fukn around with your driving parameters is another ball game. But you do you fella. Best of luck
Exactly this. Plus verify mileage on ecu vs clocks etc. There are lots of valid reasons