Buyers beware of NCT and tax used car scams

Consumers have been warned to be wary of a scam where cars are being sold at rock-bottom prices falsely claiming to have NCT and/or six months motor tax.

Gardaí have warned the AA of the new scam of which they’ve seen multiple cases since October last year, involving used cars sold privately on popular websites.

The scam involves unscrupulous sellers placing adverts for cars at rock bottom prices — sometimes under €1,000 — stating that they have six months’ tax and/or NCT. When the seller arrives to look at the car, all seems well and they hand over the money to purchase the vehicle. When the buyer realises the car has no tax or NCT, the seller assures them it does, leaves to retrieve the paperwork and simply never returns.