A vehicle purchase is one of the biggest transactions most people make. These tips are short, practical, and based on real complaints we've received. Keep them in mind whether you're buying or selling.
For buyers
Meet in a public place during daylight
Suggest a busy fuel station, vehicle inspection centre or a Police station car park. Never go alone to a remote location — take a friend or a family member.
Inspect the vehicle yourself
Bring along a mechanic you trust if you can. Verify the chassis and engine numbers match the registration book. Ask to see the original documents — never trust photocopies.
Never pay before you take possession
Don't transfer money based on photos alone. Don't pay "advance" or "booking" fees to hold a vehicle you haven't seen. Use a bank transfer or a manager's cheque rather than cash whenever possible, and complete the registration transfer immediately.
Be wary of prices that look too good
If a vehicle is priced 20–30 % below market, something is usually wrong — stolen vehicles, undisclosed accidents, or scams. Walk away if the seller refuses to let you inspect or pressures you to decide quickly.
For sellers
Use the in-app chat first
Keep the conversation on MotorHub for as long as possible. Our chat history protects you if a buyer later disputes the agreed price or condition.
Verify the buyer's payment cleared
Wait for the funds to actually appear in your bank account before handing over keys and documents. Treat any "cheque deposited successfully" SMS as preliminary, not final.
Don't share your home address upfront
If the buyer wants to inspect, meet them at a neutral location. Once you trust them, you can arrange a home or workshop visit.
Common scams to watch for
- "I'm overseas — let me send a courier" — they'll ask for your bank details to "send payment first". Don't.
- Fake escrow services — anyone claiming to be a MotorHub-approved escrow is impersonating us. We don't run an escrow service.
- Pressure to move to WhatsApp / email — scammers prefer channels we can't moderate. Insist on staying in the in-app chat at least until you've met.
- Asking for your OTP — never share a one-time SMS code with anyone, including someone who says they're from MotorHub. We will never ask for it.
Reporting
Tap Report this ad on any listing that looks suspicious. Reports are reviewed by our moderation team and may result in the ad being removed and the seller being warned, restricted or banned. If you've been the victim of a scam, also file a complaint with your nearest Police station and use our Contact form (pick the Listing / moderation category) with the ad URL and any chat transcripts.