Carrying out stolen vehicle checks before purchasing used cars is crucial. There is a huge market for second-hand cars currently as they are generally more cost-effective than new ones. In fact, it is estimated that around 40 million of these cars are traded annually.
However, car theft remains a significant problem in many countries. In the United States, the FBI reports that over 800,000 cars are stolen annually. And the numbers are increasing every year. In this article, we discuss a number of measures that you can apply to be sure that you are not buying a stolen car.
Vehicle Identification Number Check
Every vehicle comes with a unique seventeen-character code known as the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). For cars produced before 1981, the characters on this code can fall anywhere between 11 and 17 digits.
This code typically consists of letters and numbers and serves to identify every car. Thieves may try to give you a fake VIN code, so you must insist on seeing it yourself.
Where to Look For a Car's VIN
Car manufacturers place the VIN in different parts of the car so as to make them more difficult to be tampered with. To find a car's VIN, here is where you should look.
- The car's windshield. Some manufacturers engrave the VIN onto the glass and apply tamper-proof labels on significant body parts to deter theft.
- The dashboard. You should be able to view the VIN on a little metal plate in the lower corner of the dashboard on the driver's side.
- On the engine. The VIN is frequently stamped by the manufacturer onto the firewall or on one of the shock towers. This number may also be stamped on the engine block or the support for the radiator core.
- The vehicle's spare tire.
- The car documents (title, insurance documents, etc.). Some dealers and repair shops also print it on receipts.
Ensure that the VIN shows no signs of alteration. These signs may include unexplained marks, blotches, etc. Moreover, it has to match with the VIN on the car documents and records provided by the seller. However, these numbers can be from a different vehicle if the automobile was fixed using salvage parts. Verify the equipment information matches the vehicle while looking for the VIN.
How to Run a VIN Check
When you have found the VIN code, you can proceed to perform a VIN check. If you discover that the car has been reported as lost or stolen, it is best to walk away from the deal and inform the police. You may be required to provide additional information to aid in the arrest of the attempted seller.
Get Your Insurance Company Involved
Car insurance companies can help their clients verify the legitimacy of cars before they are purchased. The insurance companies typically have databases of cars for which insurance claims have been made for auto theft. They can help you verify if the car is stolen or cloned.
Car cloning occurs when scammers copy VINs from another car and then use this to fabricate fake VIN tags for a stolen vehicle. For customers who opt for comprehensive insurance, this survey exercise by the insurer can be mandatory.
Carry Out a Title Search
A vehicle title is a certificate that shows who rightfully owns a car. It carries vital information such as the car's type and its VIN. Request a title search from VinGurus. When you get access to the title, compare the names, VIN, and other pieces of information on the document to that provided by the seller. If the seller is honest, the details would match. If not, the car could be stolen.
Checking the Car History Report
A vehicle history report basically tells you about the major relevant events in the car's life. It details vital information that a car buyer has to know before making the purchase.
A car history report typically contains the following data:
- Any car accident that the car has been involved in.
- Past cases of car damage from water, fire, collisions, etc.
- The previous owners.
- Any previous theft records.
- Car mileage and maintenance.
If you notice that the record of past owners has gaps or is outdated, you are at risk of buying a stolen car. Furthermore, if the record shows that the car has been in serious accidents, you might want to get an auto mechanic to verify if the car was repaired properly afterward. There are many companies that provide such services. You should not neglect such services when buying a used car.
While this service is provided at a cost, it certainly is worth the fee considering the future headaches that it can help you avoid. Furthermore, honest sellers sometimes provide this vehicle history report to potential buyers to prove that they have nothing to hide.
Examine the Car's Maintenance Receipts
Request for the car's service receipts. This shows the time and places in which the car received its routine maintenance. A car thief would most probably be unable to provide this record. Be sure to check if the VIN on the receipts is the same as the one on the car.
Ask For a Bill Of Sale
Car bills of sale are legal documents that prove that you purchased a car. This can help exonerate you if the car is stolen, and you later have to defend yourself before the law. The bill of sale has to contain the following:
- The date of the sale.
- Car's VIN.
- The name and residential addresses of both the seller and buyer.
- How much money is paid for the car?
- The signature of the person making the sale.
Make sure that the seller's information written in the bill of sale is the same as the one contained in the driver's license or other documents which the seller provided.
Get A Mechanic To Take A Look
Auto mechanics have the experience and skills to find out if a car has been tampered with. Stolen cars typically bear certain tell-tale signs which may not be clear to the untrained eye. Ask the seller to let you get an inspection from your mechanic before making the purchase. Tell the mechanic to examine the car for potential signs of theft.
Ask for Seller's Personal Identification
Beware of buying cars from ghosts or sellers who have no verifiable personal identity. Thieves naturally try to hide their identity as much as they can while making car sales. It is wise to ask to see a government-issued identity document from the seller. This should preferably be a driver's license.
Check to see if the name and other details on the identity document correspond with that on the car documents. Furthermore, it is not out of place to request to know the seller's home address and place of work. Honest sellers would have no problem sharing this information.
As a rule, sales that take place at personal residences are more to be trusted than those that take place in areas such as car parks. Furthermore, insist on meeting and negotiating with the seller in person rather than doing this over the phone.
Buy From Recognized Car Dealerships
While there are many private used car sales that are honest and legitimate, it is far safer to purchase cars from established car dealerships. Most sales of stolen cars are advertised online and take place privately.
Buying from a dealership means that you get more credibility even if you eventually find that your car is stolen, and you get into trouble with the law. Be sure to choose a company that is accredited and verified by relevant bodies.
Avoid Unbelievably Cheap Deals
Car thieves are typically in a hurry to offload their loot. To lure buyers, they often put their goods up for sale at very low prices. If you are offered a car at a price that is way below normal rates, be sure to ask why. If the seller's explanation doesn't sound convincing, it is best to discontinue the process.
What if You Mistakenly Purchase A Stolen Vehicle?
As car thieves and scammers are constantly improving their tactics and methods, even the most careful car buyers can sometimes fall prey to their tricks. However, if you find yourself in possession of a stolen car, it is best to make a stolen car report to the police, bringing along some evidence that you bought the said car.
This helps in stolen vehicle recovery. People who are found driving cars reported stolen run the risk of facing legal action and possibly serving jail time. Furthermore, the car will be confiscated and given back to its previous owner.
Conclusion
Today, there is a real risk of unwittingly purchasing stolen cars. However, with vigilance and meticulous checks, it is possible to reduce the chances of this happening to the barest minimum.
This stolen vehicle check can include checking the vehicle history report and performing a stolen vehicle lookup with the car's VIN. Furthermore, be sure to examine the vehicle service records using the vin decoder. While these processes may seem cumbersome, the peace of mind that you get knowing that your car is legitimately purchased makes the checks worthwhile.