Buzz
Every year, thousands of cars are stolen with the intention of being resold. If you're considering purchasing a pre-owned vehicle, conducting a VIN check is crucial to uncover any history of theft. Additionally, consult your insurance provider and meticulously review the car's title and maintenance records. Familiarizing yourself with warning signs indicative of a stolen vehicle is essential.
Steps
Conducting a VIN Check
Locate the vehicle identification number (VIN). The VIN, akin to a car's Social Security Number, consists of 17 characters and is pivotal for conducting a search. Avoid relying solely on the seller's provided VIN; instead, thoroughly examine the vehicle yourself to locate the VIN. The VIN can be found in various locations, including the bottom-left corner of the windshield, the lower-left section of the dashboard, and inside the driver-side doorjamb, among others.
Ensure the VIN remains intact. The VIN label should be securely affixed to the vehicle without any loose edges. Inspect for any signs of tampering, such as scratches or tears.
- Run your fingers over the VIN label; it should feel smooth. Any roughness could indicate tampering.
- The VIN label shouldn't be covered by screws or plugs, as this could signal an attempt to conceal the VIN.
Utilize the VINCheck website. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) offers a VINCheck database containing VINs of reported stolen vehicles. Input the VIN on the NICB website, where you're allowed five searches within 24 hours.
Take action against fraud. If the vehicle is stolen, contact law enforcement immediately. In the U.S., reach out to the NICB at 800-835-6422 or provide an anonymous tip via TIP411.
- Contact your local police and provide detailed information about the seller, including name, address, and physical description.
Exploring Alternative Approaches
Consult your insurance provider. Your insurer maintains its own database, which they can check for potential clones. Car cloning involves replacing the VIN plate of a stolen car with a different one, often taken from another vehicle.
Conduct a title search. Contact your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or equivalent office to perform a title search using the car's VIN. The report will indicate if the car has a salvage history or was declared a total loss by an insurance company.
- Before conducting a title search, verify the cost and acceptable payment methods with the DMV.
- Ensure the seller's information matches the details on the title. Any discrepancies could suggest theft.
Have your mechanic inspect the vehicle. Your mechanic can detect VIN tampering and assess the car's overall condition to prevent purchasing a lemon. Never buy a used car without your mechanic's evaluation.
Examine the car's service records. The car's VIN should be on the service records provided by the owner. Confirm that the VIN matches the one on the car to avoid purchasing a stolen vehicle.
- Consider ordering your own service records from Carfax or AutoCheck for a small fee. Compare the car's description in the reports with the one you intend to buy.
Spotting Warning Signs
Exercise caution if the seller relies on a cell phone. Thieves often use cell phones for transactions and may lack a fixed address. When meeting the seller, inquire about their residence and workplace. Hesitation may indicate a stolen car.
Exercise caution when considering cars advertised online or in newspapers. While legitimate sales can happen through these channels, many stolen vehicles are also advertised here. It's safer to purchase from reputable dealers or individuals you know personally.
- Check a dealer's reputation on the Better Business Bureau website.
Insist on receiving a bill of sale. Ensure you have documentation confirming the purchase of the car. If the seller hesitates to provide this, it's a red flag. Ideally, the bill of sale should contain details such as the car's make, model, year, VIN, seller's and buyer's information, sale amount, and signatures with dates.
- Check a dealer's reputation on the Better Business Bureau website.
Exercise caution if a deal seems too good to be true. If the price seems unbelievably low, there's likely something wrong. Question the seller about the reason for the low price. If their explanation doesn't add up, it's best to walk away.
