Safe Trading Tips

Voltrade connects private individuals and does not inspect vehicles or vet users. Here is what you should do before swapping cars.

Before you meet

Talk on the phone. Ask about the service history, accidents, the number of owners and the battery condition. If the answers don't match the listing, stop there.
Check the vehicle yourself: in Israel, by license plate number on the Ministry of Transport website (gov.il); in other countries, through a VIN-based history service (see "In other countries" below).
Check for liens and attachments. In Israel: with the Registrar of Pledges and the vehicle licensing office; for other countries, see below. A vehicle subject to a lien may be seized even after the swap.
Don't send money in advance. No deposit and no "earnest money" to someone you haven't met, for a vehicle you haven't seen. Common scams start with a tempting price and time pressure.

Meet in a public, well-lit place, preferably not alone.
Make sure the seller is the registered owner: the vehicle registration document must match their ID.
Have the vehicle inspected at an authorized inspection center before you decide. For an electric vehicle, also ask for a battery health report (SoH) from a certified garage or the brand's official importer or dealer.
On the test drive: try fast charging and home charging, check the range shown on the screen, and look for any system warnings.

Put everything in writing: which vehicles are being swapped, how much money changes hands and in which direction, and when. A swap involves two transfers of ownership, one for each vehicle.
Complete the transfer of ownership as required by law on the same day, for both vehicles (in Israel: at a post office branch or on the Ministry of Transport website; for other countries, see below).
Pay in a way that leaves a record, such as a bank transfer, and only after ownership has been transferred. Beware of forged bank checks.
Insurance: make sure the vehicle you receive has compulsory and comprehensive insurance from the moment of transfer.

United States: check the title and any liens with the state DMV, get a VIN history report, sign a bill of sale, and transfer the title at the DMV.
United Kingdom: check the V5C logbook, run a vehicle history check for outstanding finance and write-offs, and notify the DVLA of the change of keeper.
France: ask for the certificat de situation administrative (non-gage certificate) and a HistoVec report, sign a certificat de cession (transfer certificate), and complete the change of ownership on the ANTS website.
Canada: check the provincial registry for any liens on the vehicle.
Australia: check the PPSR (Personal Property Securities Register) for money owing on the vehicle.

Report the listing using the "Report this listing" link. We review every report.
If you suspect fraud or a criminal offense, contact the police.