Check if a Car is Stolen
Protect yourself before buying a used car. Our vehicle history check searches the Police National Computer for stolen markers and verifies the vehicle's identity.
Why You Must Check Before Buying
Vehicle theft is a significant problem in the United Kingdom, with approximately 100,000 cars stolen every year. While police recover many of these vehicles, a substantial number are given new identities through a process called cloning and sold to unsuspecting buyers through private sales, online marketplaces, and even some unscrupulous dealers.
If you buy a vehicle that turns out to be stolen, the consequences are severe. The police have the legal right to seize the vehicle and return it to the rightful owner or their insurance company. You will lose both the car and the money you paid for it, and there is very little you can do legally to recover your loss — especially if you bought from a private seller.
The average used car costs over 16,000 pounds in the UK. That is a significant amount of money to lose because of a check that takes less than a minute and costs just a few pounds. A stolen vehicle check is one of the most important steps in any used car purchase.
What Our Stolen Vehicle Check Includes
Police National Computer
Direct check against the PNC stolen vehicle register to confirm the vehicle is not recorded as stolen.
VIN Verification
Cross-reference the Vehicle Identification Number with DVLA records to detect cloning or identity fraud.
Plate Change History
Full history of registration plate changes to identify vehicles that may have been re-registered to hide their identity.
Colour Change History
Records of any registered colour changes that might indicate a stolen vehicle has been resprayed.
Import/Export Status
Whether the vehicle has been imported or exported, which is sometimes used to launder stolen vehicles.
Scrapped Status
Check whether the vehicle has been registered as scrapped, which could indicate it has been improperly returned to the road.
Warning Signs of a Stolen Vehicle
Beyond running a database check, be alert to these warning signs when viewing a used car:
- Price too good to be true — stolen vehicles are often sold well below market value for a quick sale.
- Seller is evasive or rushing — reluctance to answer questions, pressure to complete the sale quickly, or unwillingness to let you inspect the vehicle properly.
- No V5C logbook or only a photocopy — every legitimate sale should include the original V5C. The absence of paperwork is a major red flag.
- VIN discrepancies — the VIN should match on the dashboard, door frame, engine, and V5C. Any differences indicate a problem.
- Signs of forced entry — scratches around the door locks, damage to the ignition barrel, or aftermarket alarm systems.
- Meeting in unusual locations — legitimate sellers usually have no problem letting you view the car at their home address.
- No service history — a complete absence of service records might indicate the vehicle's history is being concealed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check if a car is stolen?
Enter the vehicle's registration number on PlateCheck and run a Basic or Advanced History Check. This searches the Police National Computer (PNC) for any stolen vehicle markers recorded against the registration.
What happens if I buy a stolen car?
If you unknowingly buy a stolen vehicle, the police have the right to seize it and return it to the rightful owner or their insurer. You will lose the vehicle and the money you paid, with very limited legal recourse. This is why a pre-purchase check is essential.
How many cars are stolen in the UK?
Approximately 100,000 vehicles are stolen in the UK each year. While many are recovered, some are given new identities through cloning and sold to unsuspecting buyers. Vehicle theft has been rising in recent years, partly due to keyless entry exploitation.
What is vehicle cloning?
Vehicle cloning is when criminals steal a car and give it the identity of a legitimate vehicle of the same make, model, and colour. They copy the registration plates and may forge documents to match. The stolen car can then be sold to an unsuspecting buyer.
Can PlateCheck detect cloned vehicles?
Our history check searches the Police National Computer for stolen markers and also verifies the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) against DVLA records. VIN verification helps detect cloning because while plates can be copied, each vehicle has a unique VIN stamped into its bodywork.
Is the stolen vehicle check free?
The stolen vehicle marker check is included in our Basic History Check from £2.99. Our free check includes MOT history, tax status, mileage, and other data from government databases, but stolen markers require access to the Police National Computer which involves licensing costs.
Don't Risk Buying a Stolen Car
Run a vehicle history check before you buy. Start with a free check, then add a stolen vehicle and finance check for complete peace of mind.