How to avoid buying a stolen or cloned car

Buying a cheap, used car has undoubtedly become a more attractive option for people struggling to make ends meet in the current climate, but the recession has also led the used car market to become even more risky than before, with scams such as fake documents and car cloning becoming more prevalent than before. Therefore buyers need to be more careful than ever when buying a cheap car.

Car cloning means reselling a stolen car after swapping the VIN and number plates with those of a car of similar colour and model. If you buy a stolen car, which has been cloned, it can be confiscated by the police and returned to the rightful owner, and you will not be entitled to compensation or a replacement.

In order to try to avoid accidentally buying a cloned car, you should insist on seeing and thoroughly examining, the VC5 – or vehicle registration form. The problem for those looking to buy a used car is that it is relatively easy to steal or forge documentation; forged documents cost around £200 and real, stolen ones cost £500. Before buying you should make sure that all the numbers match up, checking the VC5 against the vehicle identification number, number plates and engine number.

With the amount of stolen and cloned cars on the second hand market and the ease with which scammers can gain access to a forged or stolen documentation, it can seem a minefield for anyone looking to buy a cheap car. However organisations such as the AA will carry out a comprehensive vehicle data check to ensure that the car is safe and all documentation is accurate.

Furthermore the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency can check the VC5 form, while online companies will enable you to buy from dealers and private sellers whose trading history has been thoroughly investigated.



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