Buying a stolen car – even unknowingly – is a devastating experience. You lose the car when police recover it, and you lose every penny you paid for it. Here's how to protect yourself.
What Happens If You Buy a Stolen Car?
The law is clear: you cannot obtain legal ownership of stolen property. Even if you:
- Paid a fair price
- Had no idea it was stolen
- Bought from what seemed like a legitimate seller
- Have a receipt and V5C
The car will be seized by police and returned to the rightful owner (or their insurance company). You become the victim twice over.
How Stolen Cars Enter the Market
Direct Theft
The most obvious route – a car is stolen and sold quickly before it's reported.
Car Cloning
Criminals copy the identity of a legitimate car (same registration, VIN plates) onto a stolen vehicle. The cloned car appears clean on basic checks.
Finance Fraud
Someone obtains a car on finance with false details, sells it, and disappears. The car may later be reported as stolen by the finance company.
Warning Signs of a Stolen Car
1. No V5C Logbook
The seller claims it's "in the post" from DVLA or they "lost it." Never buy without the V5C in hand.
2. Price Too Low
If it's significantly cheaper than similar cars, ask yourself why. Stolen cars are often sold quickly at below-market prices.
3. Mismatched Details
The V5C details don't match the car (wrong colour, engine size) or the seller isn't the registered keeper.
4. Reluctant to Meet at Home
The seller wants to meet in a car park or public place rather than their home address.
5. Pushing for Quick Sale
High pressure to complete the sale today, often with excuses like "other buyers are interested."
6. Tampered VIN Plates
Check the VIN plates (usually visible through the windscreen and on the door pillar). Signs of tampering, removal, or re-riveting are serious red flags.
How to Check If a Car Is Stolen
Free Checks Won't Help
The DVLA's free vehicle check does NOT include stolen vehicle status. Neither does the free MOT history check.
Vehicle History Check
A comprehensive vehicle check searches the Police National Computer (PNC) for stolen vehicle markers. This is the only way to verify a car isn't on police records.
Run a stolen vehicle check with Green Flag for just £9.99.
Physical Verification
- Check VIN plates aren't tampered with
- Verify the VIN matches the V5C
- Look for signs of broken locks or replaced ignition
- Check the door edges for colour mismatches (may indicate replacement)
Additional Precautions
- View at the seller's home – The V5C address should match
- See the seller's ID – Verify they're the registered keeper
- Check keys – All cars come with at least two keys originally
- Verify service history – Records should match the car and owner
- Trust your instincts – If something feels wrong, walk away
What To Do If You Suspect a Stolen Car
If you're viewing a car and suspect it might be stolen:
- Make an excuse and leave safely
- Note down the registration, description, and location
- Report it to police on 101 (or 999 if the seller is present)
- Never confront the seller directly
Protect Yourself Before Viewing
The best protection is prevention. Before travelling to view any used car, run a vehicle history check. For £9.99, you can verify the car isn't on police stolen records.
Check any car's stolen status now and avoid becoming a victim.
