Over 40 percent of Poles have fallen victim to fraud while purchasing a used car
Transparency note: This press release was originally published in Polish. The text has been machine translated. You can find the original press release here.
Although 56% of pre-owned car buyers say they have never encountered fraudulent practices, the scale of the problem in the secondary market remains significant. According to CARFAX data, 16% of respondents admit to having fallen victim to serious fraud, and another 28% have experienced minor fraud. At the same time, as many as 8% of respondents do not intend to verify any vehicle documentation or history reports in the future.
The Polish used car market is not trusted by domestic consumers – as many as 65% of buyers are very concerned about potential fraud related to such transactions, according to the latest study by CARFAX, a company providing users with used car history reports from reliable and certified sources. Only 29% of respondents have some concerns, and only 6% have no concerns at all. The study included people whohave bought a second-hand car in the last 12 months or intend to do so within the year.
44% of respondents fell victim to fraud when purchasing a used car
As many as 16% of respondents admit that they have already fallen victim to a serious fraud when purchasing a used car, such as a false advertisement, undisclosed liens or encumbrances on the car, heavily manipulated mileage, undisclosed serious damage, or even an attempt to sell a stolen vehicle or one with a cloned VIN.
Cloning involves preparing legal-looking documentation for a stolen car, making it look like another vehicle. Selling or purchasing such a car can potentially lead to serious consequences, from accusations of complicity in fraud to legal issues related to receiving stolen goods, says Robert Lewandowski, Business Development Manager at CARFAX Polska. " Criminals are increasingly trying to extort scans of registration certificates, photos of service records, and other documents that can be used for cloning from people selling used vehicles."
In turn, 28% of respondents admitted to having encountered minor fraud, such as minor manipulation of the mileage of a vehicle for sale or undisclosed minor damage. Fifty-six% of respondents had never encountered any unfair practices when buying a used car.
Almost one in ten buyers does not intend to check the vehicle's history
Over 70% of respondents say they are very likely to check the vehicle history report, registration documents, proof of ownership from the previous owner, etc., before purchasing a used car. According to one in five CARFAX respondents, this is only somewhat likely, while as many as 8% do not intend to check this type of information at all.
The vast majority of vehicles on Polish roads are second-hand. The used car market offers a wide selection of cars at various prices, allowing everyone to find an offer that fits their budget. However, it also hides numerous pitfalls – from hidden technical defects to potential legal issues. This is particularly true for used cars imported from abroad, which are popular among Polish consumers, and for which access to full documentation can be difficult – says Robert Lewandowski, Business Development Manager at CARFAX Polska. – Therefore, verifying vehicle history in databases like CARFAX is crucial to effective protection against fraud and unpleasant surprises.