Stolen Vehicle Check – How to check if a car was stolen?

January 30, 2022 by Zoe Hicks – 10 mins read

An integral step to take earlier than buying a used vehicle is to do a stolen vehicle check. This vital information will inform you if the vehicle you intend to purchase holds theft status by using a registration number.

Regardless of the situation, buying a stolen vehicle can put you under stress in the future. A stolen vehicle check can let you recognize what’s in store for you, with a stolen car, there will be several troubles legally which will ruin your peace of mind. Legally speaking, if in case the stolen vehicle’s owner finds the whereabouts of their vehicle, they have the right to reclaim it, whether you are unaware about the vehicle’s condition. Let’s see how to check whether a vehicle is a stolen vehicle.

What is the importance of a stolen vehicle check?

Inspection for a car, if stolen or not, is very important for many reasons. It offers you the assurance that you have not sold a stolen vehicle whilst making sure you do not lose your cash and the car. It can show up if a car you have bought belongs to anybody else, in which case the police will return it to the original owner, and you may not get any compensation.

If you are getting a used car, you might not find out if it’s formerly a stolen vehicle simply with the aid of inspecting it. The car would possibly appear good and legitimate, however, you will now not locate the vehicle’s hidden history this way. 

It is up to the buyer, to check out the exact history of the car, and test if it is a stolen vehicle through a number plate, which is a critical step to verify whether or not it is a stolen vehicle.

What all info can you gather from a stolen vehicle check?

The information you may obtain from this inspection consist of a report displaying the car’s stolen status which means whether or not any person has stolen the car in the past. If any individual has stolen the car, the record will provide you with the date of the theft and the police contact data if it is available. Normally, the stolen vehicle check comes with a complete automobile check package, which provides you with other different and important information as well.

How to check if a car was stolen?

When buying a car online, there are various matters you may desire to check first. There can also be seen the damage, it may now not have enough space, or you can also now not like the color. One of the most necessary matters to test when it comes to shopping for a used vehicle is if it is stolen. You may be thinking how can I check if a car is stolen? It is possible with simple research.

Like how you would test out to see if a car is best for you and your needs, you can do the same things to take a look at if it’s a stolen vehicle.

Purchasing a stolen vehicle can provide you with many issues. Besides the truth that the car will have to be returned to its rightful owner legally, you ought to additionally be left out of pocket. That’s right, your cash will not be refunded, you would possibly be in a position to take the dealer to the courtroom to attempt and claim your cashback, and however, there is no guarantee. What’s more, you should be held liable for theft as the stolen property is in your possession. It is certainly advantageous to test earlier than buying a stolen vehicle – the consequences can be pretty severe. It can supply you with even more crucial information.

To be aware of how to test if the car you are going to buy is a stolen vehicle,

  1. The first step is to search for an appropriate vehicle check service and then enter the vehicle’s details. Usually, the procedure is very straightforward, and most inspections just require the car’s registration number. You can get the registration number from the car’s seller.
  2. The excellent way to do this is to request the car’s V5C logbook. This file consists of official car details such as the make and model, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), registration number, and MOT number.
  3. Once you confirm these details match the car you are planning to buy, do the car check with a respectable car checking service. A reliable car test will normally fee you a small amount; however, it is well worth spending extra money on.

Stolen vehicle check – What all to consider when shopping for a used car?

Knowing if it is a stolen vehicle and perceiving its MOT records is an amazing start. However, you can accumulate greater data to inform and assist yourself in making the proper decision. 

  • Outstanding finance checks. These inform you if the owner owns the car. If the proprietor has any incredible finance checks, they are no longer legally allowed to sell the vehicle, which might also lead to repossession.
  • Insurance write-offs. If a car has been in an accident and written off, it can’t legally be put back on the avenue without the acceptable paperwork and fixes, so if this is highlighted and there isn’t the proper documentation, steer clear.
  • Repair costs. Buying a used car doesn’t suggest it is in flawlessly working condition; there would possibly be repairs needed. On this check, you can find out the prices and consider them into your finances so that you are no longer left with a large payout after purchase.

Spending cash on a used car can be daunting, and you desire to make certain you don’t over-pay, which is why this subsequent component of the test is one of the most useful; a correct valuation. By getting the price of this car, you can see if you are getting an exact deal or making the correct decision. Always take a look at earlier than shopping for any used automobile that isn’t a stolen vehicle or a write-off which should have an impact on the premium you get from your insurance company.

Find the vehicle identification variety (VIN). Every vehicle has a VIN, which you have to take a look at so that you can search. Don’t simply accept whatever VIN the seller offers you. Instead, look at the car yourself to discover the VIN.

You can discover the VIN in the following places:

  • the lower-left corner of the dashboard in the front of the steering wheel
  • inside the driver-side door jamb
  • check in the wheel(rear) above the tire
  • in the front of the automobile frame, close to the container that holds windshield washer fluid
  • the front of the engine block
  • underneath the spare tire
  1. Check that the VIN hasn’t been tampered with. The complete VIN label needs to be securely fixed to the car except for any free corners. Also take a look for scratches, tears, or gouge marks.
  2. Check whether the VIN is clean and not tampered with.
  3. The VIN label ought not to be obscured with a screw or plug. If so, the owner would possibly be attempting to cover the VIN.
  4. Match the VIN against the last 4 digits on your motorscan vehicle check report

 

Rapid Stolen car check-in PNC for UK vehicle

Motorscan Car Check gives a free car record which consists of a free UK police stolen vehicle check. All you have to do is enter the registration of the car and purchase an instant car check. If there is any report of a car being recorded stolen on the UK police national computer (PNC) the report will alert you.

Buying a used vehicle is well worth it due to the fact it is available at an affordable cost when in contrast to shopping for a new car, especially if you are overpaying for something that will get depreciated as soon as a new replacement or model comes in. The police will catch the stolen vehicle and you will be left attempting to get your cash returned by the legal move towards the owner of the vehicle.

Check police data to make sure that the car you intend to buy wasn’t included in any kind of legal issues. A stolen vehicle test will at once let you comprehend if it is secure to purchase using retrieving facts from the PNC (Police National Computer) to decide the car’s stolen status.

Can you check stolen vehicle status by a license plate for free?

If you are questioning how to test if a car is stolen by the license plate, then no worries, just enter your registration number to recognize your used car’s stolen status. Knowing the needful data related to the stolen vehicle can assist a lot, appropriate choices are made from thorough research.

How to check whether a car is stolen? What are the different methods to check with?

  1. Contact your insurer: Your insurer has their database which you can ask them to take a look at for feasible clones. Car cloning can happen. When the thief removes the VIN plate of the stolen vehicle and replaces it with a new one of the same kind cloning happens. The new VIN is regularly stolen from every other car.
  2. Title search: You can operate a title search by contacting your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or an equal office and giving the car’s VIN. The record needs to list whether or not the automobile was once ever salvaged or declared as a complete loss by using an insurance company. It needs money to run a title search, so contact the DMV in advance of time to take a look at the charge and desirable strategies of payment. Make certain the seller’s facts suit the facts on the title. If there’s a discrepancy, then the vehicle was once possibly stolen.
  3. Mechanic inspection: Your mechanic would possibly be in a position to spot that the VIN has been tampered with. Furthermore, your mechanic can take a look at the basic circumstance of the vehicle so that you aren’t shopping for a clunker. Don’t purchase a used car unless your mechanic seems to be at it.
  4. Service records check: The car’s VIN needs to additionally show up on carrier records, which the proprietor would possibly share with you. Make certain the VIN on the provider files fits the VIN on the car. If not, then the car has been stolen. Of course, the car’s seller would possibly fudge service reports to disguise the reality that the automobile has been stolen. Accordingly, you may prefer to order your replica of the service records. You will want the VIN. When you get the reports, evaluate the description of the car in the service reviews with the car you desire to buy.

Flag for stolen warnings

Identifying Red Flags: Proceed cautiously if the seller makes use of a phone. Thieves go around a lot, so they select to do commercial business with the usage of a phone. They additionally don’t have a constant address, either. When you go to look at the car, ask the seller the place they stay and work. If they hesitate, then you may additionally be shopping for a stolen vehicle.

Online purchase: Be cautious of motors marketed online or in the newspaper. Although many reliable sales occur in this way, most stolen vehicles are additionally marketed online or in the newspaper. It’s advisable to purchase from an authentic provider or from anyone you be aware of personally.

The reputation of the dealer: Check a dealer’s popularity on the website.

Demand an invoice of sale: You favor some kind of file that establishes you sold the car. If the seller hesitates to supply this to you, then you have to stroll away. Typically, you will prefer a consignment of sale, which need to encompass the following information

  • car’s make, model, and year
  • VIN
  • seller’s title and address
  • your identify and address
  • amount of the sale
  • seller’s signature and date

Is it a Great Deal?  Be cautious of any deal that is too correct to be true. If you are startled up at what a magnificent deal you are getting, then probabilities are something is wrong. Ask questions about why the seller is attempting to sell the automobile so cheaply. If the story doesn’t add up, then stroll away.

Read more...

2021 Guide to ULEZ and Clean air zones emission standards
2021 Guide to ULEZ and Clean air zones emission standards
Everything you need to know about ULEZ and Clean air zone. Is your vehicle compliant? Do you have an older vehicle that may need to be replaced?
How to check if a car is stolen? Guide to stolen car checks
How to check if a car is stolen? Guide to stolen car checks
How to find out if a car is stolen? Read our guide to find out more
How to pass your car's next MOT
How to pass your car's next MOT
We all want to make sure our vehicle passes MOT the first time round.