It is always unwise to buy a vehicle in the dark as even the most basic inspections are impossible. Unless you have auto-mechanical experience we also recommend you commission a mechanical inspection by an expert. Serious collisions can result in the car being deemed unroadworthy without passing a vehicle inspection. A report from Vehiclecheck may have revealed the damage.

If you were induced to enter into the swap by any representation or were assured the car was in good working order then you may be able to pursue the seller but this is very unlikely.

This is likely to be a scam and the seller is likely to be long gone with your car sold to a third party. You should inform the police who can trace who the vehicle has been registered to and possibly find the scammer but our experience is that the police will show very little interest.

We would be very interested to know how you came to make these arrangements: did the scammer see your car in the street, was he known to you personally or did he or you advertise in a publication, on a website or via an auction.

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