Import
Can I pay a deposit on a car abroad before I have seen it?
asked by Sofie on
A German seller asks for a deposit because two other buyers are waiting. I cannot travel there. Is it safe?
1 answers
DAExport answer
A deposit before anyone has seen the car is the most common scam point in cross-border buying. Our rules: do not pay before the inspection, ask for a written reservation naming the car (VIN) with the deposit going to an account matching the registration papers, and if in doubt pay only after the report.
We can go to the seller in your place — the inspection costs €278.30 incl. VAT, report within 48 h. A seller who pushes hard is usually a warning sign.
More in the guide Deposit before buying a car abroad and Buying a car abroad without seeing it.
Next step:Order an inspection