Facebook Marketplace Car Scams in Australia: How to Spot Them
Australia's consumer watchdog (ACCC) consistently reports vehicle fraud as one of the most costly scam categories for private buyers. And as Facebook Marketplace has grown to dominate private car sales under $15,000, it has become the primary hunting ground for vehicle fraudsters.
Here are the most common scams and exactly how to detect them.
Facebook Marketplace Car Scams in Australia: How to Spot Them
Watch on YouTubeThe Odometer Rollback Scam
A vehicle with 180,000km is worth significantly less than one with 80,000km. Odometer tampering — digitally resetting the displayed kilometres — is illegal but not rare. Warning signs include:
A vehicle history report won't catch all odometer fraud, but our Gold Report ($29.95) includes market valuation data — if the price seems too low for the claimed condition, that's a signal worth investigating.
VIN Cloning
VIN cloning involves copying the VIN from a legitimately registered vehicle and attaching it to a stolen or written-off car. The cloned vehicle then appears "clean" in database checks.
How to detect it:
Always physically check the VIN against your history report — don't just rely on what the seller tells you.
Interstate Flood Cars
The east coast flooding events of recent years have produced a large volume of flood-damaged vehicles that have been cleaned up and sold interstate, where buyers are less likely to recognise them. Signs include:
A WOVR check (included in all National VIN Check reports) will flag vehicles declared a write-off after flood events — but only if the insurer formally declared them. Some flood cars slip through. Physical inspection by a mechanic is essential.
The "Selling for a Friend" Scam
The seller claims they're selling on behalf of a friend, family member in hospital, or deceased relative — and therefore can't be there in person. They ask for a deposit to "hold" the car.
Never pay a deposit on a Facebook Marketplace vehicle without inspecting it in person. No legitimate seller needs a deposit from a stranger they've never met.
Run a Check Before You Commit
Our Premium Report ($19.95) takes two minutes and covers PPSR finance, WOVR history, stolen status, vehicle identity, and live registration. For any Facebook Marketplace vehicle, it's the fastest way to rule out the most common scams before you waste time inspecting.
If the car is clean on paper, then trust your physical inspection. If it isn't, you've avoided a costly mistake.