bulletin from Suffolk Trading Standards
One incident took place in Felixstowe on Saturday 20 November where unknown males asked to test drive a vehicle for sale, namely an Audi A5 which they did. On their return to the victim’s location they had poured oil on the windscreen and the engine and demanding to buy the vehicle for less money, claiming the head gasket was broken (crime number: 37/66229/21).
Another incident took place also in Felixstowe on Surrey Road on Thursday 11 November where the victim was selling his car, another Audi A5. Two male suspects came to view it and during that time smeared oil on the engine and in exhaust and added it to the coolant fluid. They again claimed head gasket had blown when test driving it and wanted the vehicle at a reduced rate (crime number: 37/64470/21).
The final incident took place in Barrow near Bury St Edmunds on Saturday 13 November. The victim was selling a Jaguar XK150 and two males came to view the car. Dirty oil was poured into water header tank and on the engine block in another attempt to scam the victim claiming that the vehicle had a head gasket fault.
Anyone who knows who was responsible or has also experienced a similar incident should contact Suffolk police, quoting the relevant crime number.
Potential sellers of vehicles are asked to be mindful of who they invite to view their vehicles and monitor their actions at all times. They are also advised to retain all vehicle documentation such as log books/V5s prior to the transaction being completed.
Website – Complete an existing report update form
Phone – Call 101