- Meet by day in a public place you know — not outside your home, not at night.
- Bring someone. Two people change the tone of every conversation.
- Before the drive: ask for the licence and photograph it. Whoever refuses does not drive.
- Ride along on the test drive.
- Never leave the car alone with the key in it, not for a minute.
- Payment: bank transfer or counted cash before you hand over the keys. Never "tomorrow".
Write the contract before you hand over the keys, not after. Once they are gone nobody signs gladly.