Craigslist buyer protection
Does paypal protect private sales.
Make sure you send payment as Goods & Services.
How to pay someone on craigslistA payment on PayPal Money Request or a PayPal Invoice from the seller are categorized by PayPal as Goods & Services payments. You can also send money with Send & Request in the Summary page menu and select Goods & Services payment.
Only G&S payments provide purchase protection.
The goods have to be shipped with tracking number. Purchase protection provide some protection and do not provide coverage for every contingency. So read up on it here: https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/ua/useragreement-full#purchase-protection
Any goods for pick up you will have to arrange with the seller, cash and carry.
Craigslist seller asking for deposit
No purchase protection there of course although you and the seller can negotiate a warranty on paper and signed at pick up. If you are buying a vehicle, bring a mechanic with you or visit one nearby and for perhaps a fee of 1-2 hundred get an evaluation.
Perhaps you and the seller can split that cost.
Kudos & Solved are greatly app