Buying a car you have not seen, in another country, is a big step.
How we protect buyers
- A written proforma invoice before any payment. It lists the car, its VIN, every cost and our bank details.
- An inspection report before you commit. Photos, video and a checklist of the car's condition.
- One dedicated sales manager. One named contact for your purchase, listed in our sales team on the Verify us page.
- Documents for every car. The export document set, and the bill of lading details once the car is loaded.
- No unusual payment requests. We never ask for gift cards or cryptocurrency.
The 180-day date
The 180-day date shown on a listing is the car's full registration date plus 180 days, in Beijing time. See The 180-day date explained.
Before you pay
Check these five points before every transfer:
- The beneficiary name and account number match the proforma invoice exactly; if in doubt, confirm with us first by phone using the Verify us page.
- The bank details have not changed since the invoice, and nobody has sent "updated" details separately.
- The VIN, price, trade term and ports on the invoice are what you agreed.
- You have seen the inspection report, photos and video of this car.
- You are talking to us through a channel listed on the Verify us page.
More detail: Payment and deposit.
Common scams
Prices far below market
A car priced well below similar listings is classic bait. Ask us to confirm the car ID before you send money or personal documents.
People posing as our agents
Someone uses the 27UsedCar name on social media or in a chat and asks you to deal with them directly. Check them against the sales team on our Verify us page.
Changed bank details
A message, often inside a real e-mail thread, says the bank account has changed. Do not pay; call us.
"Release" or "customs" fees by chat
After payment, someone asks by chat for a fee to release the car or clear customs. We never collect fees this way; every charge is on a written invoice.
Copied websites and look-alike e-mail addresses
Scammers copy websites and use e-mail addresses that differ from ours by one letter or ending. Compare every address with our Verify us page.
Pressure to pay today
"Another buyer is waiting, pay within the hour." We never ask for payment without a written proforma invoice. If you feel rushed, stop and check with us.
If something looks wrong
- Stop. Do not reply to the message or open its links.
- Do not pay. Not even a small "fee" or a part payment.
- Contact us through a channel listed on Verify us, not through a number or address given in the message.
- Send us the message or invoice. We will check whether it came from us, and you can report an impersonator on the same page.
Questions about safety
Why pay only into the account on the proforma invoice?
The proforma invoice names the beneficiary and the account, so you can see exactly whom you are paying and keep a clear record for your bank and your customs broker.
How do I know an e-mail is really from you?
Our e-mail address is listed on the Verify us page. If an address differs even by one letter, or a message pushes you to pay quickly, do not reply; contact us through a channel listed on the Verify us page.
What if I already paid someone else?
Contact your bank immediately and ask it to try to stop or recall the transfer; speed matters. Report the fraud to the police in your country. Then tell us, with the messages and payment details, so we know which accounts are using our name.