Car Jacking

Although the majority of car jacking incidents take place in petrol stations or at traffic lights, it's also becoming increasingly common for thieves to browse the classified ads to spot a car they like the look of, and then set out to steal it.

One of the best ways to protect yourself and your car is to insist that the car viewing takes place at your home - never agree to meet somewhere unfamiliar that's been specified by the buyer. However, even at home, the victim may be tricked into leaving the buyer alone with the vehicle. For example, they may be asked to fetch a torch so that the buyer can inspect under the bonnet, or an accomplice might call the seller, forcing them to leave the buyer whilst they go inside the house to answer the phone. As soon as the seller leaves, the thief makes off with the car. Always make sure that you don't carry out the viewing or test drive on your own; ask a friend or family member to accompany you.

However, there's very little to prevent a thief from taking your car if they become violent; in this case, you're much better off simply giving them the keys and then contacting the police immediately in the hope they can find and seize both the thief and your car. The most important thing is to protect yourself - your car can be replaced.

You can find more safety advice about showing your car to potential buyers in Dealing with Private Buyers.