Cars
Published on Jan 24, 2026 at 1:38 AM (UTC+4)
by Jason Fan
Last updated on Jan 22, 2026 at 8:04 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by Emma Matthews
AI Facebook Marketplace ads have reached a new level, and one New Jersey man discovered that while buying a used car that looked almost too fake to be real.
YouTuber Sambucha decided to investigate whether AI-generated product listings on Facebook Marketplace were outright scams or just wildly misleading.
After previously buying AI-enhanced products that actually showed up, he wondered what would happen if he took the experiment offline.
That curiosity was exactly what led him to one of the strangest car listings he had ever seen.
SBX CARS – View live supercar auctions powered by Supercar Blondie
The listing in question was a 2011 Mazda 3, priced at just $1,500.
Now, the obvious highlight is the price: $1,500 for a used car is extremely cheap considering affordable used cars are rapidly disappearing off the market.
However, what’s interesting about the listing was that it came with not one, but five clearly AI-generated images.
The photos featured various glaring giveaways.
For example, this one came with a faceless driver.
Another had a sign that said ‘McDonal’s’, which you shouldn’t confuse with a member of British royalty’s fast food chain of choice.
The YouTuber ran the images through an AI detection tool, which confirmed there was a 99 percent chance the photos were fake.
Digging deeper, the seller’s Facebook profile was riddled with terrible reviews accusing them of being fake, misleading, or outright scammers.
Despite all the red flags, Sambucha decided to do the perfectly logical thing: messaging the seller and setting up a meeting.
The response was short and suspiciously casual, and a meetup was quickly arranged at a local car park in New Jersey.
Expecting the worst, Sambucha arrived prepared for a total disaster.
Instead, he was shocked to find that there actually was a Mazda 3 waiting for him.
At first glance, it wasn’t terrible.
However, upon closer inspection, the car was dirty, missing proper rims, and lacked a license plate.
It also showed its age with plenty of dents and wear, but the YouTuber was able to start the car and even drive it on the highway.
While driving, a check engine light glowed ominously, but for $1,500, it technically worked.
Sambucha ultimately decided to buy it, admitting that while the AI images were misleading, the listing details themselves were accurate.
The real surprise came during the hour-long drive home.
The steering wheel shook violently, the tires felt unsafe, and the car clearly wasn’t road-ready.
Still, Sambucha concluded that while the AI photos absolutely lured him in, the purchase wasn’t a total scam.
He rated the experience a ‘scam-lite’, and a six out of 10 on the validity scale.
So there you have it: if you ever see AI Facebook Marketplace ads, there might actually be a car waiting for you.
Whether it’s a car you actually want to drive, however, is entirely a different story.
If you want to see what else Sambucha bought after seeing AI Facebook Marketplace Ads, you can watch the full video here:
DISCOVER SBX CARS: The global premium car auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie
# Tags – AI, Cars, Facebook Marketplace, new jersey
Jason joined the editorial team at Supercar Blondie in April 2025 as a Content Writer.As part of the growing editorial team working in Australia, and in synergy with team members in Dubai, the UK, and elsewhere in the world, he helps keep the site running 24/7, injecting his renowned accuracy and energy into every shift.
Supercar Blondie finds and covers the coolest cars, tech, luxury and gaming in the world.
Copyrights ©2026 SB Media Holding Limited

source