Many stolen cars are not only stripped for parts, but resold to trustful buyers. In case you knowingly buy a stolen car, you can be arrested. If you buy a stolen car unknowingly, you could lose both you car and money. Try to evade becoming the car thief’s victim by following the following tips:
Beware of loose dashboards.
Check the switch for chisel or pull marks.
Be on the sight for any deal that seems “too good to be true”.
Question the dealer whether the registration was recently issued on an older car.
Be wary of new license plates on an old car, or new plate bolts on an older plate.
Be wary of a seller with no fixed address, place of employment, or phone number.
Compare the engine identification numbers with all other VIN numbers to make sure they match.
Make sure the vehicle identification number (VIN) plate on the car’s dash is present, secure, and has no loose rivets.
Make sure that the private individual’s name, who you buy the car from, matches the title and registration of the car.
Be cautious of a fresh paint job on a newer vehicle, which can indicate an attempt to change the car’s identity.
Make sure the VIN plate has not been repainted and the numbers stamped in the plate are original factory numbers.
Check the stickers of the license plate registration and the inspection to be sure they are current and issued by the same state.
The VIN on the dash must match the VIN on the registration, title, and federal safety inspection sticker on the driver’s door.
Verify the information about the seller’s past financing and insurance on the car with the bank, finance company, or agent.
Check with a new car dealer that handles the same model, or contact a law enforcement agency, in case you are doubtful about plate authenticity.
Make sure the VIN plate rivets are original. All 1970 and newer cars released in North America have stainless steel “rosette-shaped” rivets with six petals and a hole in the middle. They are difficult to scratch with a knife.
