Staffordshire County Council’s Trading Standards service is supporting a regional campaign encouraging people to take simple steps to protect themselves when buying a used car.
The “Stop Check Go” campaign, running this week, is being led by the Central England Trading Standards Authorities. It aims to help people make informed decisions while supporting traders to meet their legal responsibilities.
Used cars remain one of the most common reasons people seek consumer advice, often because they are high‑value purchases and faults can cause significant disruption.
Anthony Screen, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Resilience at Staffordshire County Council, said:
“Most used‑car purchases go smoothly, but taking a bit of time to prepare and carrying out some basic checks can greatly reduce the risk of problems.
“We’re also warning people to be alert to used‑car scams, including fake or cloned dealerships advertising vehicles that don’t even exist. These scammers often pressure buyers to act quickly or request money upfront.
“We would always advise people to choose an established trader with good independent reviews. A genuine dealer will not rush you or ask for payment before you’ve even seen the vehicle.”
Officers have provided the following advice:
- Be cautious of prices that appear significantly lower than market value
- Avoid paying deposits before viewing a vehicle and be wary if asked to pay by bank transfer rather than a secure card payment
- Check that a dealership genuinely exists by searching for an official website, landline number and physical premises
- Check the vehicle’s history, MOT record and what preparation or warranty is included
Further advice on buying and selling used cars is available on the CENTSA website and individual advice can be obtained from the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.
