Crime reduction 

Buying and selling vehicles

If you're considering buying a new or second-hand car from a private vendor, please consider the crime prevention advice below.

• If you have any suspicions, contact police on 101 straight away. This is the Thames Valley Police 24-hour non-emergency number.
• You need to be as sure as you can that you are not purchasing a car that might be stolen.
• If a car that you bought is found to be stolen, in law, you will have no right to own that car. You may lose the car and all of the money you paid for it. You may risk police interest in your actions, and also have to sort out any problems that the vehicle has, such as unpaid tickets.
• Check that the car you wish to view has not been seriously damaged or is still subject to finance.
• When you go to view and inspect the car you want to buy, consider taking an independent, qualified examiner with you.
• Before you go to see the car, ask the dealer to tell you where the car's identification numbers are located on the car.
• Never feel pressured into buying a car. If in doubt, walk away.
• Never pay cash.
• Who is the vendor? Check their identity. Be aware of adverts which read 'call between 5pm and 6pm'. Try calling the number outside of the hours stated in the advert. An advert showing a vendor's mobile phone telephone number may indicate a scam - mobile numbers may not be traceable.
• Does the vendor hold the car's registration document and MOT certificate? If not, why not?
• Always arrange to view the car in daylight, at the vendor's home. Be sure that it is actually their home. Never allow the vendor to bring the car to you, even to your home.

Further checks

• Check the car that you are buying has a working security alarm system.
• Do the locks differ? Thieves often change locks that they have damaged.
• Damage on the door locks or surrounding areas may indicate signs of a forced entry to the car.
• Check the locking petrol cap. Has it been forced and replaced?