Car buying in Germany: is a low price a bargain or a red flag?

Main online fraud schemes in car buying

Online platforms made used-car shopping more convenient than ever — but this is also where most scams take place. A low price is often used as bait, pushing the buyer to make fast decisions without basic verification.

❗Advance payments and fake “safe escrow accounts”

Scammers frequently offer “massive discounts” on attractive cars allegedly registered in Germany and then request money to be transferred to a “secure account” of a transport company. ADAC repeatedly warns: these “safe accounts” do not exist — the moment money is sent, both the seller and the so-called logistics provider disappear. The car was never real in the first place.

A similar trick: the “seller abroad” claims he can deliver the car to your home for a small advance payment. If a test drive is not possible and the vehicle “will be shipped shortly”, this is almost always fraud.

❗Fake websites and impersonation of premium brands

Criminal groups build highly professional fake websites using logos of Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen. They list cars at unrealistically low prices and demand payment in advance. Several manufacturers issued official warnings after discovering cloned dealer websites and fabricated catalogues. The design looks convincing, but the cars do not exist and the money goes directly to the scammers.

❗Document “verification” to create trust

To establish credibility, scammers send scans of IDs, vehicle papers or registration documents — often belonging to unrelated people. These documents can be fabricated or stolen. Never rely on digital scans and never send your own passport or driving licence to strangers. Such data can be used for identity theft or to register criminal transactions.

❗Fake transport companies

A typical scheme: the fraudster convinces you that a logistics company will pick up or deliver the vehicle. You receive a forged payment confirmation allegedly issued by the transport service. When the car is handed over, money never arrives — the payment protection programme (if any) turns out to be fake. The victim loses both the car and the funds.

❗Phishing: fake emails from AutoScout24, eBay, mobile.de

Another widely spread method is phishing. Scammers send emails that look like official notifications from major platforms — asking you to “verify your identity”, “confirm a purchase”, or “unlock your account”. These messages contain malicious links designed to steal login data or payment details. Official platforms never request sensitive information by email.

❗Odometer fraud — the silent classic

Odometer rollback remains one of the most profitable fraud types in Europe. Experts estimate that roughly one in three used cars offered for sale has manipulated mileage. A BMW 5 Series with over 700,000 km once appeared on the market with only 155,000 km displayed after manipulation. The seller pocketed thousands of euros difference — while the buyer received a heavily worn vehicle.

❗The golden rule: never send deposits

Consumer protection agencies in Germany repeat the same advice: no advance payments for transport, insurance, reservations or customs fees. You should pay for a used car only in person, only after inspecting the vehicle and receiving all original documents.

In-person meetings and local traps

Even offline transactions may hide risks. A low price can be used to pressure the seller or buyer into an unfavourable situation.

Price changes after a long drive

A common tactic: the buyer or seller invites you far away from your region with a very attractive deal. After you arrive, they demand a new price citing “unexpected issues”. Many people accept just to avoid losing time and fuel — exactly what the scammer expects.

“We buy your car” cards on the windshield

Cards placed under wipers offering to buy your car “for top prices” often lead to shady resellers. While not always criminal, these situations frequently involve aggressive negotiations, hidden fees or sudden price reductions. Never hand over keys or documents before the payment is completed and confirmed.

On-site inspection and paperwork

Always insist on inspecting the car personally. Sellers who constantly avoid meeting in person usually have something to hide — from major defects to identity fraud. Payment should be made only upon receiving the keys and original papers (Fahrzeugbrief / Zulassungsbescheinigung).

Real-world fraud cases in Germany

Fraud involving used cars has made headlines in Germany for years. Here are several notable examples showing how professional scammers operate.

🔥Official warnings from car manufacturers

In late 2025, Audi and Volkswagen issued alerts about large-scale fraud through cloned dealer websites. Criminals used brand logos, genuine photos and fake VIN numbers to promote vehicles that never existed. Mercedes-Benz faced similar issues earlier when scammers sent false invoices and contracts under the company name.

🔥High-profile criminal cases

One notorious case in Munich involved a 32-year-old man posing as an intermediary for luxury cars. He arranged a “test drive” of a Lamborghini Urus for a dealer but had the car transported abroad instead. The financial damage exceeded one million euros. In another case, a man was arrested for “selling” premium cars worth over €1.5 million — without owning a single one.

🔥Stories from victims

Victims often recount the same pattern: fake transport companies, advance payments, and fabricated customs documents. The moment money is transferred, communication stops. Scammers create a sense of legitimacy with contracts, translated papers and professional-looking invoices.

🔥Odometer manipulation statistics

Mileage fraud remains widespread despite digital systems. Manipulated odometers distort the market, and buyers pay the price — literally. Without a proper inspection and history check, it is easy to end up with a heavily worn car disguised as a low-mileage gem.

How to protect yourself when the price is unusually low

To avoid becoming a victim of fraud, follow several essential rules — especially when a deal looks “too good to be true”.

• 📜 Be sceptical about extreme discounts. Compare the listing with similar vehicles in the region. If the price is far below the market without a clear reason (damage, high mileage), treat it as a warning.
• 📜 No deposits, ever. Do not transfer money in advance for transport, reservation, “insurance”, or customs fees. Legitimate sellers in Germany do not request such payments.
• 📜 Always meet in person. A seller who avoids showing the car is almost certainly hiding something.
• 📜 Verify documents and the VIN. Check that VIN numbers on the vehicle match the documents. Inspect the history via TÜV reports, service vouchers, CarVertical, Carfax or official registers.
• 📜 Professional diagnostics pays for itself. A full inspection with paint thickness measurement, OBD diagnostics, suspension check and test drive can reveal hidden problems worth thousands of euros.
• 📜 Protect your personal data. Never send passport scans, registration documents or driving licences to strangers. These can be used for identity theft or criminal activities.
• 📜 Put agreements in writing. Even simple text messages or email threads help confirm the agreed price, condition and equipment.

How Sicher-Check helps reduce risks when buying a car in Germany

Evaluating risks on your own can be difficult — especially if you live abroad or do not have experience with German used cars. That’s where professional support becomes truly valuable.

Sicher-Check operates in Berlin and Brandenburg and helps buyers safely navigate the German car market:

• ☝ Listing and price evaluation. We analyse whether the advertised price is realistic based on mileage, equipment, model history and market trends.
• ☝ On-site inspection. Our specialist visits the seller, checks the body, interior and suspension, measures paint thickness and documents every defect.
• ☝ Full OBD diagnostics. We read fault codes, check mileage through control units and identify hidden problems.
• ☝ Document and history check. We review registration papers, service history, TÜV reports and help verify the car through official databases.
• ☝ Photo and video report. You receive detailed media documentation useful both for decision-making and negotiating.
• ☝ Purchase recommendations. We estimate repair costs, evaluate risks and advise on how much to negotiate down based on detected defects.

Together with our article “Buyer rights and guarantees in Germany”, you gain both technical and legal protection. This is especially important when a seller tries to pressure you into a quick deal using a low price.

Conclusion: when a low price is a red flag

The lower the price compared to the market, the more careful you must be when checking the listing, seller and vehicle. Sometimes a cheap car truly is an opportunity — urgent sale, relocation, or a transparent leasing return. But in many cases, a low price hides serious risks: fraud, odometer manipulation or costly technical problems.

Remember the rule: if a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. Do not send deposits, do not agree to “secure accounts” and walk away if something feels suspicious.

A competent pre-purchase inspection in Germany, combined with a technical and legal review, turns a risky “bargain” into a safe and informed purchase.

Trust the numbers — but verify them. Check the seller, history, mileage and condition before signing anything.

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