Buying and selling safely
Car sales in Malawi have traditionally happened through Facebook groups and WhatsApp forwards with no verification. Here's how to protect yourself on and off Halesah Cars.
Before you meet
- Keep the first conversation on Halesah Cars chat or WhatsApp. Avoid moving to unknown apps immediately.
- Ask for the registration book (logbook) details and check that the chassis and engine n
Where to meet
- Meet in a public, well lit place, such as a fuel station, mall car park, or police station forecourt.
- Bring a friend or family member, especially for cars of higher value.
- Never meet at an un
Inspecting the car
- Check the registration book (logbook) matches the seller's ID and the car's chassis number.
- Take it for a test drive on both tarmac and a rough patch of road if possible.
- Consider paying a tr
Paying safely
- Never send a deposit before you've seen the car in person.
- Use traceable payment methods (mobile money, bank transfer) rather than large cash sums where possible.
- Only transfer ownership at t
Spotting a scam
- A price far below similar listings is the biggest warning sign. Check the price context shown on every listing.
- Sellers who refuse to meet in person or take a video call are a red flag.
- Repor