Stolen Car Check.

Buying a stolen vehicle can quickly leave you out of pocket, even if you weren’t aware it was stolen in the first place. There’s nothing stopping your vehicle from being taken by the police, and you could be prosecuted.
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What’s the risk of buying a stolen car?

A stolen car will quickly show up on insurance databases as stolen and when you take the vehicle out onto the roads, it will be flagged up by an ANPR camera which would leave you in a legal bind. The police have the power to reclaim stolen vehicles and return them to the rightful owner or insurer, and it’s likely you won’t be compensated.

How to check if a car is stolen

Carrying out a stolen car check is a wise decision before buying a vehicle, to be sure that you’re not getting yourself involved in any illegal activity unknowingly. A stolen car check provides peace of mind. With Reg Car Check, we’ll provide police checks for any previous records of a stolen vehicle.

Is my car stolen?

With Reg Car Check, you can rely on our accredited data for complete confidence that your car is being sold lawfully.

  • A comprehensive check – Our data is thorough and detailed, to help you make an informed decision when purchasing a vehicle
  • Backed by police data – Our police checks will ensure complete accuracy on your vehicle’s history
  • Peace of mind – Our checks are backed by £30,000 data guarantee so you are fully covered in the event of any inaccuracies
  • Excellent customer service – Our team are on hand every step of the way to respond to any queries you might have about your vehicle

Stolen Car Check FAQ

What’s included when a stolen car check is carried out?

Reg Car Check use the Police National Database, along with other sources, to verify if a vehicle is stolen. All we need to do this is the registration plate number. Our car stolen checks include a logbook verification check, live car tax check and MOT check, and we’ll check if the vehicle is insured, to name just a few of the checks we’ll carry out.

What does a stolen car report provide me with?

The most important details of a stolen vehicle are a flag for stolen warnings, the date of the stolen report, police contact information to request further details, and a basic full car check for details such as mileage and MOT.

Is my car stolen? Will I get my money back?

If you discover that you’ve bought a stolen car unknowingly, it’s unlikely that you’ll get your money back. If your insurance company does provide coverage, they will first investigate the situation (which might take several months) and then confirm whether your claim will pay out or not. This is to rule out any risk of fraud and to make sure that the car is genuinely stolen. If they determine that your car was bought in good faith as a stolen car, and your policy is valid, they might reimburse you some of the costs, but not always.

How do I report a car stolen?

If the worst occurs and you didn’t order a stolen car check but now realise that you’ve been duped into buying a stolen vehicle, don’t panic. Inform the police as soon as possible, along with your insurance company, so they can investigate.

  • Dial 101 to be put through to your local police to report the stolen car, making sure you have the registration number, make and model, and the colour. You’ll be issued with a crime reference number to give to your insurance company. The police will then inform the DVLA of the theft.
  • Call the insurance company to inform them
  • Contact the DVLA, even if the police say that they will do so as well.
  • You can complete a ‘notification of sale or transfer’ or V5C/3 section of the V5C registration certificate which can then be sent back to the DVLA. You should also include a letter stating when the payment was accepted. The remaining part of the V5C should then be passed on to the insurance company. If the insurance company asks for the entire V5C certificate, you’ll need to contact the DVLA with details of your insurance company, the date you made the claim, the registration number, make and model, and colour of the vehicle, and your signature.
Is there a free stolen check?

Yes, IsItNicked.com offer a free stolen car check but it comes with limitations. If you’re buying a used car, it’s a good first port of call, but it’s typically not enough as you’ll also want to verify if the vehicle has ever been involved in an accident, been resprayed or cut and shut, and so on which this site cannot offer details on.

Can I just give the car back to the seller?

No, as this is considered handling stolen goods and it could land you in a lot of legal difficulty. If you discover that the car you’ve bought is stolen then you must immediately contact the police and have them provide you with a report number.

What checks should I carry out when buying a car?

Before you agree to see a vehicle, ask the seller for the registration number, make and model, and the MOT test number. Check the details you’ve been provided with match those held by the DVLA. You should also check the MOT status and history matches the details you’ve been given, and check to see if the vehicle has been recalled due to any serious safety issues. If all these match, and you decide to see the vehicle, ask to see the V5C registration certificate and make sure it has a DVL watermark. You should also check that the serial number is not between BG8229501 to BG9999030, or BI2305501 to BI2800000. If it is, the V5C might be stolen. If this is the case, call the police as soon as it’s safe to.

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