Purchasing a secondhand anything is always a problem, and buying a secondhand car is even more so. Is the seller telling you a bunch of lies, or are they 100 percent honest?
A recent article in the UK media describes how to spot a seller who is being economical with the truth.
Nose touching, mouth covering, fidgeting and throat clearing are all common signs of someone telling a lie and detecting these signals could save used car buyers from making a costly mistake. Vehicle information expert HPI is urging consumers to be on their guard and pay attention to more than a vehicle’s body work, but a seller’s body language and facial expressions too.
Spot the lemon!
“Have you ever had that uneasy feeling that someone was lying to you but didn’t know why you felt that way? It could be because you’ve subconsciously noticed their lying signs,” explains Shane Teskey, Senior Consumer Services Manager at HPI. “Trust your instincts. Pay close attention to body language and facial expressions. For example, look for nose touching and mouth covering. People touch their noses more frequently when they’re lying. They’re also more likely to cover their mouths.”
Another potential tell-tale sign of lying to look for is nodding, says HPI. When the head is nodding or shaking in contrast to what is being said, buyers should be on their guard. “Make sure the seller isn’t giving you inconsistent signals,” continues Shane Teskey. “Does your used car seller look shifty? Perhaps constantly fidgeting? Too much fidgeting, either with their own clothing, jewelry, hair or things around them, could indicate that they are feeling uneasy and may be lying to you about the car’s history.”
Shane Teskey concludes, “We always urge buyers to take along someone else with them when going to view a car. Having a second pair of eyes to check out the seller whilst you check out the bodywork will never go amiss. And if you don’t know much about cars, try to take someone who does know a thing or two, or invest in the services of an independent vehicle inspection. Most importantly, don’t let your heart rule your head and trust your instincts. If the car looks too good to be true, it probably is.”
1. Look for nose touching and mouth covering.
2. Watch when the person nods. If the head is nodding or shaking in contrast to what is being said, this can be a tell-tale sign that they are lying.
3. Beware of constant fidgeting.
4. Observe the level of mirroring.
5. Watch the person’s throat for excessive swallowing, throat clearing or gulping.
Personally, I am not sure it is all that easy to read the psychological signs, but the advice on getting someone to appraise the car is always worthwhile. Find a mechanic and pay for a few hours of his knowledge will always be money well spent.
