What should I check before paying for a Marketplace car?
Check the seller's authority, match the physical VIN to the documents, inspect the car and obtain a current PPSR search before payment. Turn advert claims into requests for records or an inspection. For Queensland cars, check public rego details separately and follow the QLD paperwork rules; other states have different transfer requirements.
The platform does not verify the sale
Marketplace can contain private and business sellers. Establish who is selling and the sale type before assuming what protections apply. Profile age, photos, reviews and a phone conversation are clues to examine; none establishes ownership or mechanical condition.
Request evidence matched to the car
- VIN and documents: compare the supplied VIN with the physical car and registration documents; clarify any mismatch.
- Seller authority: check identity and authority to sell in person. A QLD rego lookup does not display the owner's name. If selling for someone else, seek evidence of that authority.
- Maintenance: request dated service records and invoices supporting the advert. Missing records are an information gap, not proof of a fault.
- Condition: arrange a physical and independent mechanical inspection. Ask how you can test important features; photos cannot establish that they work.
Worked example: turn seller wording into questions
Hypothetical advert, not a checked vehicle: “Full service history, cold air conditioning, selling for my sister.” Each phrase needs a different follow-up:
- Service history: ask to see dated records matched to the car and its kilometres.
- Air conditioning: check its operation at the inspection; a claim in the advert remains unverified.
- Selling for someone else: establish who will sign and what supports their authority before agreeing payment.
Respond to pressure with a pause
Scamwatch describes fake profiles and adverts on genuine platforms, including sales of cars. Payment pressure, an unavailable car or an unexplained recipient deserves verification. A low price alone does not prove a scam, theft or write-off. Do not pay for an unseen car you have not verified.
Separate checks for separate risks
The free QLD rego check checks public registration details. An official PPSR search addresses registered interests and available stolen/write-off information. The inspection checklist records observations. None substitutes for the others or certifies a safe deal.
Use the advert even if the Facebook link will not load
Copy the seller's description into free listing prompts. Pasted text needs no email or account. Leave out phone numbers and personal details; add known car details if useful. With pasted text, an optional listing URL is a reference only and is not opened. You receive brief questions to follow up, not verified vehicle facts. Automatic Facebook import and screenshot reading are not available.
The separate optional Listing Review offers a free preview; full questions, inspection priorities and a seller message remain paid output. Keep the advert and messages, verify payment and handover terms, and use QLD draft paperwork for agreed details. If you suspect a scam after paying, contact your bank or payment provider immediately.