As much as both buyers and sellers are genuine, you will sometimes find that there are those who are out to carry out different vices.
NOTE: Please take note that Vozilo or its representatives will NEVER be involved in direct transactions between the seller and the buyer. Our work is to provide a connecting platform for both sellers and buyers. Incase you notice any wanting posts kindly report the same to us through 0720 026 026 or 0732 022 022 or write to csd@vozilo.co.ke Below are some of things to watch out when transacting.

Buyers

  1. Get to know the car’s Market Price
    Be extremely wary with too good to be true price deals. Oftentimes, they’re the bait used by scammers to draw people inside their trap. The best thing to do is to know the car’s worth together with its resale value. Once you know them, then you know the price to set for your negotiations.
  2. Get to know the seller first
    Here’s one safe car buying tip you should never forget: ask questions about the seller first. Before you meet up, get their names and addresses, and see if you can find a Google match somewhere. Of course, not getting a hit doesn’t mean that the person is legitimate, nor does getting a hit means he’s automatically a fraud. However, it does give you some comfort in knowing that the person exists, and you have a means of contacting them whenever needed.
    What should you ask? You can ask for the seller’s complete name, complete address, home phone, and work phone. Confirm this information by searching for them online or via your phone book or truecaller. You can also do a more thorough online search and type in the person’s name with the words “used car”. Then see what comes up. If there are some negative hits, walk away and don’t look back.
  3. Verify for Authenticity
    There are some syndicates that sell stolen vehicles. Before you decide to move forward, check with NTSA (SEARCH) if the vehicle you’re interested in is truly a legitimate car and that its not a stolen vehicle. Ask for copy of logbook and compare with search results. If the seller is selling on behalf of another, ask for signed Authority to sell letter/form.
  4. Meet in a public place
    Another safety tip for buying a car is to only meet in public places. Don’t meet with anyone who says he won’t be the one meeting with you in person. That’s quite suspicious. Try to bring a couple of friends with you as a necessary precaution, and once you arrive, ask for official identification.
    When you meet at a public space, we suggest choosing fast food parking lots, since they are consistently busy with moving cars and people. Avoid going to mall parking lots. They often remain deserted for long periods of time.
  5. Check the car’s Details against Logbook
    Once the car is in front of you, ask the seller to show you chassis number, engine number and confirm against logbook. Check that the vehicle identification number on the logbook is similar to the one on the car. You also need to be sure that the seller listed on the logbook is the car’s owner. If not, then start asking questions and request for authority to sell letter/form. Note that some people ask others to sell their car on their behalf.
  6. Don’t take cash with you
    You don’t need to bring in any cash if it’s the first time you’re inspecting a brand new or used car. There are two reasons why: 1) you avoid getting ripped off, 2) it reduces your chances of making an impulsive purchase. So how do you pay for the car? See 7 below
  7. Transact only at the bank
    It’s best to do your transactions at the bank because unlike paying in cash, you actually get a written proof of payment. Here’s what you can do: tell your buyer that you will complete the payment by bank deposit or giving a certified cheque from your bank account. The seller can then come with you to the bank to verify the cheque and to cash it right in front of you. Once this is done, the bank issues you a written proof of payment.

Sellers

  1. Providing Personal Sensitive Information
    Don’t provide any of your personal identification details such as banking information, registration details, Mpesa Details, and even a copy of your ID to buyers un you have a certified and authentic sale.
  2. Arranging inspections and test drives
    When scheduling for an inspection, ask the buyer who will come to do the test drive. If they give you evasive answers, then the buyer might be setting up a trap. Other safety tips regarding car inspections and test drive are:
    • Never go to a meeting alone. Take someone with you and meet in a public space like a fast food parking lot, a shopping mall or church parking lot.
    • Take with you the key information like vehicle log books, registration details, and other certificates for authentication and records.
    • Before you let them, test drive your car, ask for their IDs and write down their ID number. If possible, take copies of the same. You can also take a picture of their IDs using your mobile phone. This can discourage would-be criminals (or those with less than honorable intentions) from going any further.
    • Take your companion with you when the buyer takes the car out. Keep the test drive short, and only go to populated areas like a park or government buildings. Never allow test drive out of town or a far place unless you know the person very well.
    • Don’t let the would-be buyer inside your house. Do the transaction at the curb, and make sure that all the needed paperwork is ready. However, leave the car’s logbook out of sight until they pay you in full.
  3. Negotiations and sale
    Serious buyers often negotiate the price, so be prepared for it. Don’t accept unusual requests, like driving the prospective buyer to another location, such as his home. Oftentimes, their excuse is that they need to go to that location to arrange a loan or get the money. Say no and tell the buyer to do his arrangements on his own. Tell him to call you back when he’s got everything sorted out.
  4. Receiving payment
    Full payment is the best of form of settlement. Be especially wary of other payment options, like Money transfers, unverified cheques, installments, and third-party involvements. While these options can be legitimate or valid on their own, many unscrupulous people also use them to con people out of their vehicles.
    In case you really need to go with money transfers and other payment options, make sure to check with with your bank or other money providers first to be sure that the total payment has been transferred to you. Don’t let the buyer talk you into paying half the money first and then paying the rest of the amount later on. This spells S-C-A-M in bold letters. Tell the buyer that you will only hand over the car once you get the payment in full.
    Never rely on the “proof of payment” copies that your prospective buyer will give you. They can be fake. The best way to have your transactions validated is to use the services of the bank.
  5. Transfer of Ownership
    Ensure to initiate the transfer of ownership to the new buyer through NTSA tims. File a “release of liability or Delivery note” once the buyer has paid you and the car is out of your hands. That way, you’re sure you won’t be held responsible if the new buyer uses the car for malicious or unlawful intentions.