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Vehicle identity
 

Vehicles are complex; comprising many components and accompanied by much documentation.  Whilst you may think undertaking a search of a registration number is easy and obvious, there are pitfalls.  We could probably write a book on the difficulties associated with checking cars and stolen records but most people want information NOW!  So we'll do our best to help you understand a vehicle search ....

There are some bad people out there who have no respect for you or your hard earned cash ....

Rule number one with regard to a vehicle search is NOT to just hear or read the words 'the vehicles not stolen, not a previous total loss and not on finance' and assume all is well. The devil is in the detail and you want to compare everything from the blatantly obvious colour to the more subtle detail such as date of first registration.  This is the benefit of a paid for check - you get more detail, more chance to spot the dud.

As with other information suppliers, we can only tell you about the number you enquired upon.  This may sound obvious but it is important to understand what we mean:

if a stolen marker is recorded against the number plate on which you enquired. So if, as an example, you are about to buy a Ford Fiesta 1.6s displaying the number H210 GKJ and you undertake a search of the registration mark you will be advised:

This vehicle is not recorded as stolen.

which is good news BUT .... what if some criminal stole another Ford Fiesta 1.6s, removed its number plates then placed the number plates H210 GKJ on either end of the stolen car?  How would you know about this 'false plating' (see definitions)?  You would not - to look at you'd think you were actually viewing H210 GKJ, but sandwiched between the plastic number plates H210 GKJ on either end of the car is a stolen vehicle the true identity for which has a stolen marker recorded against it.  The identity change is a trick - it is designed to make you think you are buying one thing (a legitimate vehicle) whereas you are actually buying something very different - stolen property, and in these circumstances you are actually checking a completely different vehicle, not the one you see before you.

• How do you know a vehicle is displaying a false identity? 

The simple, blunt answer is that, in most cases you cannot determine this. A vehicle check notifies you about alerts recorded against the number plate, such as 'stolen' or written off'.  It is the less obvious information that will help you to identify whether the vehicle bears a false identity.  In addition, there are other things you can do to protect yourself - we call these buying tips and they can be found by clicking here.

• Why is it so difficult to spot false plated, cloned and rung vehicle (ringers)?

Because criminals want your money but don't want to get caught. Criminals know the systems and how to abuse them.

Spotting a false plated vehicle is actually pretty simple but needs you to undertake a vehicle check and comparing the VIN (for more information about the VIN click here).  Because 'false plating' just involves changing the number plate and not the VIN, when you provide the VIN to the vehicle checking agency, this will not match the number plate.

Clones and ringers are harder (sometimes impossible) to spot by the untrained.  Criminals who change the identities of vehicles know their way about them, the documentation and our licensing systems. 

• So who can tell you if a vehicle is bearing false identity?

A vehicle check will NOT tell you unless a stolen marker is recorded against the mark upon which you enquire (remember - this may be false, as detailed above). The rest is down to YOU.  It is not enough to hear that the vehicle is not recorded as stolen (against the mark upon which you enquired) YOU must check all the information provided against the vehicle and the documentation.

The process of cloning or ringing is intended to trick you into parting with your money.   This is why a paid for check is so much more important - you receive more information to check against the vehicle for example, you you will obtain the full vehicle specification, date of registration etc.  All this information can be compared against the vehicle and the paperwork accompanying it.  If you undertake a full search remember that there are THREE things to cross reference:

The vehicle The documents The results of the check

All three MUST match, for example, the colour of the vehicle must be the same as the colour recorded on the registration document which must be the same as appears on the registration document (log book / V5).

The red intersecting area (above) represents the data common to all three components such as the registration mark, VIN, colour, make, model, body style, number of doors, engine number.  There are aspects of a search that can only be checked against the documentation, such as the date of first registration (which is not stamped on the car - do check the service book). 

• But will this a check protect me from buying a clone or a ringer? 

The honest answer is 'maybe' but if the cloning is good (an exact copy) then 'no'.  The best you can do is undertake a search and compare the information carefully.  Some searches come with an indemnity - a sort of title insurance - to protect you in case of errors. Our FREE check carries no such indemnity.  Our sponsor's currently carry no such indemnity but this is reflected in the price you pay - substantially less than the competitors.  Some agencies do provide an indemnity - but read the small print, some exclude ringers and clones!

Stolen vehicles are referred to as 'ringers' for a reason ; they are 'dead ringers' of the vehicle they are impersonating.  Clones are exact copies of other vehicles.  It would be some dopey criminal who tried to sell you a Peugeot 205 displaying the plate H210 GKJ (for a Ford Fiesta), but similar has happened!

Criminals make mistakes and occasionally by treading carefully and methodically you may be able to avoid losing your shirt - buying a second-hand car is fast becoming gamble.  The criminal selling you the car has much to think about; vehicle identity, matching documents, keys, his own identity (name and address) and not getting caught.

Please read our purchase tips - they are also FREE and provided to help you.  We will add to them and if you have a contribution, please send it to us using our FEEDBACK page.

Remember:

• if the deal looks to good to be true, it probably is
• Let your mind rule the purchase, not your heart