Buying a vehicle through Ebay. Is it safe? Not a Scam? Is it legal? (2024)

FAQs

Is buying a car through eBay services legit? ›

This is a common scam, and you are dealing with a criminal who is trying to steal your money. If the item isn't listed on eBay and if you don't purchase it through the eBay listing, the transaction has nothing to do with eBay.

Vehicle Purchase Protection is a program offered exclusively by eBay Motors, designed to protect you against fraud, vehicle title issues, and undisclosed defects for up to $100,000.

Research Car and Seller History

eBay tracks the reputation of its sellers. So don't forget to check the feedback ratings linked under “Seller information” on every listing. AutoCheck, an eBay partner, provides a free vehicle history for many of the cars listed for sale on eBay Motors.

On some listings, you can make the seller a Best Offer. Most Motors listings come with a free vehicle history report, and most vehicle purchases are covered by Vehicle Purchase Protection (VPP) - opens in new window or tab.

Is eBay Motors reliable? Short answer; yes, it definitely is. That said, however, there are occasional cases where buyers may not be completely satisfied with their purchase, or there may be instances of fraud, common scams, or other issues.

You can pay for a car on eBay with a credit card, PayPal, an escrow service, bank transfer, or cashier's check.

The eBay Motors car-buying process is straight forward. A seller places a vehicle for sale on the marketplace. The seller is required to list all applicable details about the car including its current condition. From there, you are able to submit bids to purchase the car.

Also, dealers (large and small) list their inventory on eBay for two reasons, first is obviously to sell it, second is to generate leads. Each motors listing generate a few leads for a dealer that they may later convert to customers.

If you're the victim of an eBay scam, there are steps you can take to recover your money and protect others from the scam: Open a refund request with the seller. eBay won't engage with your dispute until you've attempted to solve it with the seller.

Can cars be delivered through eBay? ›

Arrange for shipping: Does eBay deliver cars? Simply put, no. Since eBay Motors delivery is not an option, you'll have to arrange to ship it yourself. You can contact a car shipping company or arrange private transport.

The eBay Money Back Guarantee applies to virtually every item on www.ebay.com. The only categories excluded are: Motors Vehicles (which are covered under the eBay Vehicle Protection Program)

Buyers and sellers are subject to the eBay Money Back Guarantee or other buyer protection policy (if available) of the site where the buyer completed checkout, regardless of the eBay site used to list the item or the registration details of the buyer or seller.

You'll have 5 days to test/drive the car. eBay will hold the funds until you receive the car with all the papers.

Arrange for shipping: Does eBay deliver cars? Simply put, no. Since eBay Motors delivery is not an option, you'll have to arrange to ship it yourself. You can contact a car shipping company or arrange private transport.

The only way to purchase a vehicle on eBay is to sign in to eBay, find the vehicle on eBay and complete the checkout process on eBay, so that the item appears in your Purchase History. Then you typically meet the seller to inspect the vehicle, pay the seller, and collect the keys, title and vehicle.

You can sell all types of vehicles, including cars, trucks, motorcycles, and boats, as well as parts and accessories, in the Motors category on eBay. Vehicles, parts, or accessories can be listed in the same formats as most other product categories, including auction, Buy It Now, and Best Offer.