More and more scams in car deals: how the Ministry of Interior warns citizens

Buying a car "at a bargain price" is increasingly proving to be a risky undertaking. According to the Ministry of Interior, in recent months there has been a noticeable increase in scams in car deals - from forged documents and mileage rollback to the sale of cars with legal encumbrances. This is what forced the Ministry of Interior to issue separate recommendations to citizens and remind: behind a very good offer, a problem is often hidden.

Fake documents and "clean" cars only on paper

One of the schemes that the Ministry of Interior describes concerns cars acquired abroad through leasing or rent. The cars are taken out of the respective country, after which false or processed ownership documents are prepared for them. Thus, the vehicles are registered in Bulgaria with completely "regular" at first glance documents and are sold to unsuspecting buyers.

The problem is that at the time of registration or verification by VIN in the "Traffic Police" the car still does not appear to be declared for search. Leasing companies often report at a later stage - only when payments stop and the contract is terminated. Thus, the buyer learns that the car is subject to a request for return or search only after he has already bought it, registered it and started using it.

Mileage rollback: "the younger" car that is actually tired

Another major problem is the manipulation of the odometer - the so-called "rollback". When importing used cars second, third or more hand, some of the traders reduce the kilometers traveled to present the car as less driven and in better condition. On the dashboard, the mileage looks attractive, but the real condition of the engine, chassis and other components says otherwise.

For the buyer, this means two things: he pays a higher price for a car that actually has more serious wear and tear, and he has to prepare for unexpected repairs. In many cases, the rolled-back mileage goes "in a set" with cosmetic repairs - repainted details, replaced elements in the cabin to make the car "like new".

Legally encumbered cars: seizures, leases and disputes

The third major risk, for which lawyers and the Ministry of Interior warn, are cars with legal encumbrances - seizures, unpaid loans, pending court disputes. In these cases, the car may formally be transferred to a new owner, but foreign obligations may weigh on it. If the seizure or encumbrance is not checked in time, the buyer may find himself in connection with a dispute in which he has never participated.

Schemes are particularly risky in which the seller is in a hurry to "get" the car out of his name, because there are or are pending actions by a court or bailiff against him. Sometimes duplicates of documents are also used, assuring the buyer that "the original is lost". In such situations, the difference between a good deal and a serious problem is often one missed check.

What the Ministry of Interior recommends to citizens

In response to the increasing number of scams, the Ministry of Interior publishes specific recommendations to all those who plan to buy a car. Among the most important tips are:

• To buy cars from official dealerships or proven traders with a good reputation, and not from random ads without a clear person behind them.
• To avoid deals where the price is suspiciously low compared to the market - this is often a sign that there is a hidden problem.
• The purchase and sale contract should be concluded at the actual price. The proposal "to write a lower amount to save fees" deprives the buyer of the opportunity to claim the full amount paid in case of a problem.
• Not to pay the entire amount in advance before checking the car, the documents and the legal status.

Lawyers add that for more expensive cars it is reasonable to seek legal assistance - a lawyer can check for seizures and encumbrances on the day of the deal and offer protection clauses in the contract.

How to reduce the risk in practice

Experts in car deals advise to combine several steps for maximum security. First – mandatory verification of the VIN number in the official registers and in the "Traffic Police". Second – technical inspection at an independent service or expert, who will assess the actual condition of the car and check for traces of serious repairs or manipulations on the odometer.

Third – requiring a full set of documents and explanations about the origin of the car: when it was imported, from whom it was bought, whether there is a service history, service booklets, invoices. Fourth – avoiding oral agreements of the type "we will formally write it like that, then we will agree", because in case of a problem, only the documents have weight.

The Ministry of Interior reminds that even the most precise checks cannot give an absolute guarantee, but they significantly reduce the risk. For many, buying a car is the biggest investment after a home. That's why the approach of "not wasting time" often turns out to be more expensive than spending a few days and making all the necessary checks.