Trust & safety
A marketplace you can trust.
Here's what we do, and what to do yourself, to keep buying safe.
What we do
Four things, on every listing.
Verified dealers
The blue check means we confirmed the dealer's state license. New dealers can list before that check and show as Unverified until it's done.
Reviewed private listings
A person checks every private listing before it goes live: that the photos match, the price is realistic, and the description has no contact details or links.
Owners stay private
Private owners' names, phone numbers and emails are never shown. You message them through Car Central.
Report anything
Every car has a link to report a listing that looks wrong or fraudulent. A person reviews each report.
What we don't do
BuyCarCentral doesn't own, inspect or sell the cars, and isn't part of the sale. A rating compares a price with similar listings here; it isn't an appraisal and doesn't say anything about a car's condition.
Protect yourself
- See the car in person, in a public place, before you pay anything.
- Get a vehicle history report and have a mechanic you trust inspect the car.
- Check that the seller's ID matches the name on the title, and that the VIN on the car matches the paperwork.
- Never send a deposit or a gift card to someone you haven't met. Be wary of any seller who wants to move the conversation off Car Central and asks for payment first.
Read more in the buying guide.