Stay safe

A few habits protect you on any marketplace, whether you're buying a car, a motorbike or a bicycle.

Before you buy

- Always inspect the vehicle in person before paying for it. Photos and a description are a starting point, not a substitute for seeing it yourself. - Take it for a test ride or test drive, and consider an independent mechanical inspection for anything expensive. - Check the VIN or frame number on the vehicle matches what's on any paperwork. - For cars and motorbikes, check for money owing or a written-off history before you commit — the seller's disclosures on the listing are a starting point, not a guarantee. - Meet in a safe, public place if possible, and bring someone with you. - Never send a deposit or full payment to someone you haven't met, for a vehicle you haven't seen — this is one of the most common scams on any classifieds site. - Be wary of a price that seems too good to be true, a seller who can't meet in person, or pressure to move the conversation off the platform immediately.

Before you sell

- Keep the conversation on the platform's messaging until you're comfortable — it gives you a record of what was said. - Never share your bank PIN, online banking login or one-time codes with a buyer, no matter what story they give you. - Be cautious of a buyer who overpays and asks for the difference back, or who wants to pay by an unfamiliar method. - Meet in a safe, public place for the handover, and accept payment in a form that has actually cleared before you hand over the vehicle or keys.

Protecting your account

- Use a strong, unique password. - Never share your password or a sign-in link with anyone, including someone claiming to be from Australia Motors — we will never ask for your password by email or message. - Report any message that feels like a scam using "Report this listing" or by contacting us directly.

If something feels wrong, trust that feeling. You can always walk away from a deal, and you can always report a listing or a user to us.