Vehicle Purchase Protection

Vehicle Purchase Protection is a program offered exclusively by eBay Motors, designed to protect you against fraud, vehicle title issues, and undisclosed defects for up to $100,000.

Yes, for vehicles located in the US and listed on eBay.com, the transaction must be completed through Secure Purchase when that option is available on the listing.

If Secure Purchase is not offered, or cannot be used due to specific requirements or system limitations, your transaction may still qualify for Vehicle Purchase Protection, provided all other eligibility criteria are met.

No, Vehicle Purchase Protection is included at no extra charge for both buyers and sellers for eligible purchases completed through Secure Purchase on eBay. If Secure Purchase is not available on the listing, your purchase may still qualify for protection when completed through other eligible eBay checkout methods.

Typically, most cases will receive final determination between 30-45 days after a reimbursement request has been submitted. During this time, a dedicated program administrator will determine whether you have suffered a loss, if the loss was caused by the type(s) of fraud that qualify for reimbursement, and what the reimbursement amount will be.

In each case, including the examples outlined below, the maximum amount you may receive is limited to the purchase price, not exceeding $100,000.

Examples:
If you pay for the vehicle, but don’t receive it, you will receive the purchase price amount paid, up to $100,000.

If you pay for the vehicle but discover an undisclosed lien against the title after taking possession, you will receive the lesser of: (i) the purchase price paid and (ii) the amount necessary to clear the undisclosed lien, up to $100,000.

If you pay a refundable deposit, but do not complete the purchase and the seller does not refund your deposit, you will receive your deposit paid, up to $100,000.

If you suffer a loss from undisclosed damage to a qualifying component of a vehicle you purchased, you will receive the cost of repairs determined by the lower of all replacement/repair estimates from two approved services facilities.

If you suffer a loss based on a year, make, model, or odometer misrepresentation (above 5,000 miles, in vehicles less than 10 years old), the devaluation amount of the vehicle will be determined by the difference between the purchase price and the NADA clean retail value (see nadaguides.com).

In cases of extensive devaluation, or where part replacement costs are a significant percentage of the purchase price, the program administrator may exercise their option to reimburse the purchase price (not exceeding $100,000), and take possession of the vehicle. If you refuse this offer, then the program administrator may offer you a cash settlement of a discounted percentage of the purchase price.

Incidental fees or expenses that the buyer and seller negotiate outside of eBay are not covered by Vehicle Purchase Protection.

If you qualify for a reimbursement and the program administrator takes possession of the vehicle, or the vehicle is returned to the seller with the consent of the program administrator, you will be reimbursed for original shipping fees up to $800, provided that you originally used a licensed shipper to transport the vehicle.

Vehicle Purchase Protection reimbursements are secondary to any other avenue of recovery. As such, any recoveries reimbursed or credited to you by any third party will be deducted from the reimbursement amount.

For example, if the seller pays and/or offers you a settlement equal to, or better than, the amount you are eligible to receive under Vehicle Purchase Protection, you will not be able to receive any payments under Vehicle Purchase Protection.

Purchases are protected by Vehicle Purchase Protection (VPP) when all of the following criteria are met:

1. Successful purchase* of, and payment for, a vehicle with a purchase price of more than $100, listed in the eBay Motors Vehicle category ("eligible vehicle"). *A purchase is successful if you receive confirmation in My eBay that you won, or purchased, the vehicle through an auction, Buy It Now, or Best Offer.
2. For vehicles listed on eBay.com and located in the US, the transaction must be completed through Secure Purchase (eBay’s checkout solution for vehicles), when that option is available on the listing. However, if Secure Purchase is not offered, or if it is offered but cannot be used due to Secure Purchase requirements or limitations, the transaction may still be eligible, provided all other Vehicle Purchase Protection criteria are met.
3. This is your first reimbursement request under VPP in the last 180 days.
4. The buyer, the seller, the vehicle (on the purchase date), and the financial institutions making and receiving the payment are all located in the US or Canada.
5. You obtain the VPP Administrator’s prior written consent before altering, repairing, selling, or releasing possession of the vehicle before a determination is made on your reimbursement request.
6. You are able to provide the VPP Administrator with all requested documentation to substantiate proof of payment, claimed misrepresentation, and/or estimates for repair within 14 days of your reimbursement request submitted to eBay and no later than 45 days after the listing end date.
7. You comply with the filing deadline and requests from the VPP Administrator (regardless of any shipping delays you experience).

Purchases and/or associated losses are not protected by Vehicle Purchase Protection in the following scenarios:

Vehicle condition

1. Any damage or mileage misrepresentation on vehicles 10 years old or older (10-year threshold is based on model year).
2. Regular maintenance and fluid levels.
3. Normal wear and tear, including but not limited to belts, hoses, tires, brakes, bushings, joints, spark plugs and wires, interior features, minor dents, paint chips, and scratches.
4. Certain components
   • Damage to any component (other than the combustion engine, transmission, and/or body/frame), including but not limited to the vehicle’s interior, exhaust, air conditioner, electrical (including the battery or other electrical components of a hybrid or electric car’s engine), suspension, cooling system, turbo charger, fuel system, differential, clutch/torque converter, and/or pollution control devices; or
   • Damage to qualifying components that does not exceed $1,000.
5. Damage after purchase: damage or loss caused during shipping or otherwise after purchase.
6. Cosmetic damage, such as paint or external surface rust.
7. Unverifiable damage.
8. Any damage on a vehicle listed with anything but a "clean" title.

Deposit issues

• Sending a non-refundable deposit for a vehicle and not receiving the vehicle, or a refund, because you chose not to complete the transaction or pay the remaining balance for any reason.

Ancillary losses

• Punitive damages, lost profits, loss of work, travel expenses, or restocking costs.

Title/ownership issues

1. Misstatements about the type of title brand for a vehicle listed with anything but a "clean" title.
2. Failure to receive a certificate of title for a vehicle that was listed with a title brand or with the title being described as anything but "clean".
3. Receiving a title that is not signed, is improperly assigned, or receiving a title but not being able to register the vehicle (unless you are unable to title the vehicle due to an undisclosed lien against its title).
4. Losses based on a vehicle classified as "theft recovery" or "previously stolen" but recovered by a law enforcement agency prior to being listed on eBay.

Other

1. Buyer’s remorse.
2. Any damage or listing discrepancies that were disclosed to you prior to taking possession of the vehicle.
3. Any damage that could have been discovered upon a reasonable inspection in the event you paid for and picked up the vehicle in person.
4. Any damage that does not impact the safety or operability of the vehicle.
5. Repairs or alterations made by you to the vehicle without the consent of the VPP Administrator.
6. Inspection costs, warranty fees, taxes paid, or any other fees or expenses that are not expressly covered under these terms and conditions.
7. Transactions occurring off-eBay or on any other website.

eBay may terminate VPP or modify these terms and conditions with or without notice to you. The terms and conditions of the VPP program specified on this page at the time that you purchased your vehicle will apply. It is your responsibility to periodically review these terms and conditions to ensure you are familiar with them at the time of your purchase.