Many drivers choose new drivers over new vehicles because of lower price tags, but be careful. In the years after the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, car thefts have skyrocketed and we don’t want to buy stolen rides. Thefts could have dropped by 17% between 2023 and 2024, but last year there were still over 850,000 vehicles stolen nationwide.
Be careful before you issue a second-hand car loan and buy it from a private seller or dealer. If something feels bad, shop elsewhere. There are many used cars on the market.
Six steps to check if your car is stolen
Follow these 6 steps to avoid headaches when purchasing stolen or cloned cars.
1. Check your VIN thoroughly
You can check your VIN in government agencies and state automotive departments. You can also check the VIN of your car via the NICB VIN check. I recommend Renee Valdes, the lead editor of Kelley BlueBook. This free service will let you know if you have insurance records for stolen vehicles, including vehicles that have not yet been recovered.
“Some vehicles can place their VINs on the front driver’s door or windshield, and some owners can etch the VINs into the window or engine,” Valdes says. “Automobile manufacturers want it to be difficult for burglars to steal Vin and create counterfeit products.”
The bin can also be pushed into the vehicle’s dashboard. Be thoroughly with letters and numbers that appear to be particularly similar. VINs must be in multiple locations, so check each one to make sure they match. Otherwise, it could have been tampered with.
2. Buy vehicle history report
When you order a vehicle history report using VIN, Valdes suggests. Companies that provide vehicle history reports include AutoCheck or Carfax.
“These aren’t that expensive, they’re well worth it,” Valdes says.
The vehicle history report includes information such as:
- Service history.
- Title information.
- Lien in the car.
- The history and damage of the accident.
- Previous owner.
The report lists the number of previous owners, but no names.
“If history is current, there’s a good chance it’s not well taken care of and stolen,” Valdes says. However, if there is a gap in history or the latest gap, it may be a sign that the car is being stolen.
3. Do a title search
You can search for the title of the car National Automobile Title Information System. If the person trying to sell the car is not the person listed in the title, you will know that it is a stolen car.
Having access to the title of a car will help you detect any discrepancies between what the seller is telling you and what is in the title, such as whether the car has mileage when it was last sold.
4. Ask the seller about the vehicle’s service record
Valdes explains that if the seller is able to view the maintenance receipt, it is likely not a stolen vehicle. Please check if the VIN, MAKE and MODEL on your receipt match the vehicle. Compare maintenance records with vehicle history reports to see if they match.
“Most of the time, cars are the second-largest consumer purchase,” Valdez says. “I’ve always treated my car as if I’d one day sell it, meaning I’ll take care of my car and get regular oil changes.”
Additionally, check if you can see your previous bill of sale from the time the seller first purchased the vehicle. It’s not harmful to ask for the seller’s contact information and the amount they originally bought the car. A legitimate seller should not hesitate to provide this information.
5. Ask your insurance company to inspect it
Ask your car insurance company if you are willing to inspect your car for safety and fraud hazard flags. You still need to do your own due diligence, but your insurance company may be able to find additional information to make sure your vehicle is on the board.
Additionally, every time you purchase a used car, you will need to inspect the vehicle by a reliable mechanic. Many mechanics perform pre-purchase inspections, which usually cost between $100 and $150. You may be keen to skip this step and proceed with your purchase, but in the end, it will save you from major repairs and large bills in the long run, helping you catch any vehicle changes that the burglar has made.
6. Trust your intestines
If the price is not true, the better, or if the seller wants to sell you a car and is urging you to skip it Steps in the car buying processtrust your instincts. Between other sellers and second-hand car dealers, there are many legitimate options out there.
You may notice the difference between what the seller tells you about the car and what you find in your research. It’s not necessarily a red flag.
Not all car owners have meticulous records and if the vehicle has been bought and sold multiple times, it may be missing information. However, if you find a contradiction without a reasonable explanation, you will leave.
What if the car you are purchasing is stolen
If you find that the car you are purchasing has been stolen, please submit a police report. Provides bills of sale and related documents and information. Unfortunately, if the car you purchased was stolen or “cloned car”, it was never yours.
This means you are not the legal owner of the car, which will be confiscated and returned to the legitimate owner. If a theft claim has already been filed with the insurance company, the vehicle will be transferred to the insurance company. Money borrowed or invested in a vehicle will be a loss.
If you haven’t purchased a car yet, don’t walk away and turn around, Valdez suggests. Then, if it is safe, please submit a police report.
Conclusion
Valdez says as burglars develop more advanced tactics, they recognize potential dangers and are studying the car in depth. This includes investigating your VIN, ordering a vehicle history report, and asking for additional documents to help you find out if your vehicle is a stolen vehicle.
Beyond theft, there are many dealer tricks and scams you should know. Start by comparing your car loan rate with a legitimate lender and shop at a reputable dealer or choose a certified China (CPO) vehicle to minimize risk.
