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Used Car Rip-offs: When Buyers Lose Out
8 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Second-hand car sales exceed six million annually in the UK.
- Wardrobing fraud costs UK retailers approximately £1.3 billion yearly.
- Scam texts rose 800% this year, with millions reported to networks.
Purchasing a pre-owned vehicle offers significant savings but carries the risk of unexpected breakdowns shortly after purchase. Despite consumer protections under the Consumer Rights Act, some dealers may attempt to circumvent these laws, leaving buyers vulnerable. One father's daughter, after saving £4000, experienced her car failing on its first long journey.
Retailers in the UK are facing substantial losses due to a form of return-fraud known as 'wardrobing.' This practice, where items are bought, worn, and then returned, costs the industry around £1.3 billion each year. The problem intensifies between November and January, with a 33% increase in wardrobing cases as people prepare for festive events.
Furthermore, scam text messages, often mimicking official communications from entities like HMRC, are a growing concern. Ofcom reports that 100 million such messages were reported this year, an 800% increase since 2023. The sophistication of these scams is escalating, with perpetrators frequently based abroad. One individual was recently sentenced for his role in sending 15,000 scam texts from a portable device.
