When looking for your next car, where do you go?

For an increasing number of people, the answer to that question is “Facebook Marketplace.”  Many car owners find that the ease of posting ad, the ability to verify buyers, and the ubiquity of Facebook Marketplace make it a great place to close a deal on a vehicle.

That said, the site is also filled with scams and, occasionally, stolen cars. One TikTok user said their sister bought a car off of the platform and revealed just how much can go wrong with a single vehicle.

What’s Wrong With This Facebook Marketplace Car?

In a video with over 22,000 views as of this writing, TikTok user @deeluxe_grrrage shares that his sister bought a car off of Facebook Marketplace.

However, when the TikToker looked it over, he noticed something off about the vehicle.

“The engine light had a sticker over it,” the TikToker explains. 

Looking at the dashboard, the “check engine” light is illuminated — and there’s sticker residue from the area where it’s been covered.

Not only did the previous owner cover the check engine light, but the TikToker alleges that they tried to hide it. The seller did this by putting the dashboard’s dimmer on the lowest setting, then pushing the knob in so that it was no longer visible.

“So, that’s how he was hiding the engine light,” the TikToker summarizes.

It should be noted that this tactic likely does not work, as dimmer adjustments generally do not affect the Malfunction Indicator Light, also known as the “check engine” light.

What You Should Know About Buying A Car From Facebook Marketplace

While those who are unfamiliar with the current car market may think buying a car off of Facebook Marketplace is a bad idea, it can actually be a pretty good deal — so long as you do the right checks before you seal the deal.

However, there are a few things any buyer should do before actually buying a car off the platform.

First, make sure you’re not falling for one of many common Facebook Marketplace scams. These common scams include the seller asking you to pay in gift cards, not meeting you in person, or the price is too good to be true. 

Second, one can perform a variety of assessments to check the car for common issues. This inspection will entail assessing the oil with a dipstick, check for leaking oil underneath, and cap checks, etc.  While these may seem tedious, they can prevent one from paying hefty prices at the auto shop later in the car’s life.

Finally, if one isn’t comfortable with cars, there’s no shame in asking a local mechanic or person who’s knowledgeable about cars to accompany any potential car purchase, especially one in its final stages.

Can Someone Really Hide Their Engine Problems This Easily?

In the comments section, the user claimed that, in this case, it was a relatively simple fix.

According to the TikToker, the vehicle had a F0449 code, though he likely means P0449. This check engine light issue is relatively common. All it means is that the vehicle’s computer detected an electrical problem in the EVAP system vent solenoid circuit. This is part of the emissions system that controls fuel vapor flow from the gas tank.

This shouldn’t affect drivability, but it’s something that the owner should get looked at as soon as possible. If they don’t, they risk failing emissions tests. They also risk breathing in gas fumes, which can be dangerous over a long period of time.

That said, actually hiding engine issues takes more than a simple duct tape coverup of the “check engine” light. With an on-board diagnostics (OBD) scanner, one can see all the issues that the car detects. Although there’s always a risk that the seller has wiped the codes. The chances are high that they’ll reappear after a test drive and become detectable by the OBD scanner. Additionally, there are some ways to detect whether OBD codes have been cleared.

Commenters Have Thoughts

In the comments section, users offered their own advice for buying a car off of Facebook Marketplace.

“Who buys a car without scanning and running VIN,” questioned a user. There are numerous websites that allow one to see a vehicle’s recorded history via a search of its VIN.

“2 most important things. Bring a code reader and make sure the name on the title matches their drivers license!!!” said another.

“Anytime we buy a used car we take it to AutoZone. We have them hook up their scanner to see if there are any codes or if they recently unplugged the battery,” revealed a third.

We’ve reached out to @deeluxe_grrrage via TikTok direct message and comment.

@deeluxe_grrrage Another trick by Facebook market scammers. This is another thing to look for. #facebookmarketplace #Scammers #Auctioncars #DimmerlightTrick #redflag ♬ original sound – Deeluxe_Grrrage