Safety Tips

Most car deals in Pakistan go smoothly, but a few simple habits protect you from the rare bad ones. Follow these tips whether you are buying or selling on Car.net.pk.

For buyers

1. Never pay before you see the car. No advance, no "token money" to hold a car you have not inspected in person. A seller who insists on payment before a viewing is a red flag — report the ad.
2. Meet in a public, busy place during the day — a petrol station, a bank car park or the seller's showroom. Take a friend along, especially when carrying cash.
3. Check the registration book (bahi) against the CNIC. The name on the book should match the seller's CNIC, or the seller should hold an open letter and the original owner's CNIC copy and signed transfer forms.
4. Match the chassis and engine numbers. Compare the numbers stamped on the car with the registration book and the Excise online record. Any mismatch — walk away.
5. Verify tax and token status online with the Punjab, Sindh, KP or Islamabad Excise vehicle verification services before you agree a price.
6. Test drive cold. Ask the seller not to warm the engine before you arrive. Listen for knocks, watch for smoke, check that the automatic gearbox shifts smoothly and the steering does not pull.
7. Look for accident repair — uneven panel gaps, paint overspray on rubber trims, new bolts on the fenders and bonnet, and a bent radiator support are common signs.
8. Book a Car.net.pk inspection for a full mechanical and body check with a written score. It costs far less than one hidden repair.
9. Insist on a written sale agreement with both CNIC numbers, the chassis number, price and date, and pay through a bank transfer or pay order where possible so there is a record.
10. Complete the transfer at Excise promptly. Until the vehicle is transferred to your name, fines and legal liability remain with the registered owner — and if you are the seller, that is you.

For sellers

1. Do not hand over the car or documents before payment clears. Cash should be counted at a bank; online transfers should show in your account, not only on the buyer's screen. Beware of fake "payment confirmation" screenshots.
2. Be careful with test drives. Keep the buyer's original CNIC with you during the drive and go along with them. Never let a stranger take the car alone.
3. Watch for overpayment scams. A buyer who "accidentally" sends too much and asks you to refund the difference is almost always using a fraudulent payment.
4. Sign a sale agreement and keep a copy with the buyer's CNIC copy, and submit the transfer application or open letter so the vehicle no longer stays in your name.
5. Hide your number if you prefer. You can receive messages through Car.net.pk instead of showing your phone number publicly, and you can block callers from your account page.

Common scams to recognise

• Overseas seller — "I am in Dubai, the car is with a shipping company, pay the fee and it will be delivered." There is no car.
• Too-good price with urgency — a 2021 car at half the market price that must be booked today with an advance.
• OTP request — nobody from Car.net.pk will ever ask for your OTP code, password or bank PIN. Anyone who does is a scammer.
• Fake payment SMS — always check your own banking app or call your bank; SMS messages can be spoofed.
• Document "arranged later" — a car whose registration book, transfer papers or tax receipts are "with a friend" and will arrive after payment.

Report suspicious ads

Every ad has a Report button. Tell us what looks wrong — fraud, wrong details, already sold, duplicate — and our team will review it quickly. If you believe you have been the victim of a fraud, contact your bank immediately and file a complaint with the FIA Cyber Crime Wing (helpline 1991) and your local police station, then let us know through the contact page so we can suspend the account.