Nobody wants to think the car they’re excited about might be stolen. Most aren’t, of course. But buying one by mistake is one of the worst things that can happen to a car buyer, so a stolen car check is a must before any money changes hands.
Why a stolen car check matters
When you buy stolen goods, even completely innocently, you don’t become the legal owner. If the police identify the car, they can take it and return it to its rightful owner or their insurer. You’d be left without the car and trying to get your money back from a seller who may have vanished.
What our stolen check covers
- Whether the car is recorded as stolen on police records
- When it was reported, where that information is available
It’s included in every CheckHPI paid check, from Standard upwards.
Other warning signs a car might be stolen
A clear stolen check is a great start, but thieves can be clever. Keep an eye out for these red flags:
- The price is too good to be true. It usually is.
- The seller wants to meet somewhere random, like a car park or service station, rather than at the address on the logbook.
- There’s no V5C logbook, or the seller says it’s “in the post”.
- The VIN doesn’t match. Check the 17-character VIN on the V5C against the car. You’ll usually find it at the bottom of the windscreen and on a plate under the bonnet or in a door frame.
- Only one key, or keys that look new or don’t match.
- Cash only, and quickly. Pressure to rush is a classic tactic.
Hold it up to the light and look for the DVL watermark. DVLA has warned buyers about blank V5C documents that were stolen, with serial numbers between BG8229501 and BG9999030, and between BI2305501 and BI2800000. If the logbook’s serial number falls in either range, walk away and contact the police.
What to do if the check says stolen
Stop there. Don’t buy the car, don’t confront the seller, and don’t arrange to see it again. Contact the police on 101 (or report it via police.uk) with the registration and the advert details. They’ll take it from there.
Stolen car check questions
What if a car was stolen and later recovered?
Once it's recovered, the stolen marker should be removed. If the insurer paid out while it was missing, the car may also have a write-off record, so check that too and ask the seller for the paperwork.
Can a stolen check catch a cloned car?
Not on its own, because a cloned car uses a genuine car's registration. That's why you should always check the VIN on the car matches the V5C logbook and view the car at the address on the logbook.
I think I've already bought a stolen car. What should I do?
Contact the police straight away. If the car is confirmed stolen it will be returned to its owner, and your claim is against the person who sold it to you. Citizens Advice can explain your options.
New to vehicle checks? Start with our guide: What is an HPI check?
