Has a car been Stolen?

If you purchase a stolen vehicle from an private individual you may be left in debt and out of pocket. The victim of a stolen car sale is not entitled to any compensation unless the seller can be found, convicted and prosecuted. There are some simple things a buyer can check before parting with any money. The .GOV.UK site lists some common sense guidance including checking the V5 document – ensuring the name and address are those of the seller … more details at .GOV.uk

Stolen Car, Van or Motorbike Checkers

These services are available for any vehicle with a UK registration number and a V5 document. Stolen vehicle checks can be provided for motorbikes, cars and vans. There are certain checks you can do for yourself from the GOV.uk website. However, if you want to be 100% certain it is advisable to use a stolen vehicle checking service such as those provided by the MyCarCheck and HPI. Most of the services available from these businesses provide peace of mind by way of an insurance policy / anti-fraud guarantee (*please read specific terms and conditions on providers’ website). Please scroll down for more details or click on the adverts below the main image.

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Don’t buy a stolen car …

For peace of mind and financial security put your investigation in to the hands of the experts. There are several services available online from companies like HPI give the buyer confidence that a vehicle is NOT stolen. With several levels of service to chose from – some with insurance guarantees up to £30K – you get the service that best suits your needs and concerns. Click the buttons below for HPI Check to obtain immediate access to a detailed report from just the registration number. These services are NOT free. The service providers provide clear costing information at point of registration entry.

HPI Check

HPI Check offer a Basic report for £9.99. Their most popular service is a full HPI check for £19.99 and a 3 x car multicheck report for £29.97 (prices correct – June 2023).

• The HPI Check report provides detailed information about a car you want to buy, helping you avoid scams and fraud in the car industry.
• HPI uses advanced technology to ensure that the information you receive is accurate and up-to-date. We are so confident in our data that we offer a guarantee of £30,000.
• Since 1938, HPI has been a leader in vehicle checks and has protected millions of car buyers from fraud. Our experience and expertise are unmatched.
• Their team of experts is available seven days a week to assist you.
• Important: Be cautious of fake car checker services that claim to offer free car checks. Only HPI provides the official and genuine HPI Check®.

The graphic below shows some of the important checks included in a vehicle history report from HPI Check.

For more details please view their online Sample Report Here (*HPI check website link)

Car Theft Soaring

According to the Office of National Statistics (ONS) the number of cars stolen in 2017 was 89,000 up from 56,000 the previous year. That’s a huge increase and something that car buyers must not ignore. If you buy a stolen car the authorities in the UK are within their legal rights to confiscate the vehicle – without any compensation for the unfortunate owner. This interesting report on the AutoExpress website suggests that a growing concern is the raise in keyless entries – using electronic relay devices to trick the car in to thinking it’s been legitimately unlocked – more information at AutoExpress

What happens if you Buy a Stolen Car

If you unknowingly buy a stolen car in the UK, the legal status of the vehicle remains unchanged. This means that you do not acquire legal ownership of the vehicle, even if you have purchased it in good faith. If the authorities discover that the car you bought is stolen, it will be confiscated and returned to its rightful owner.

In such a situation, you may not necessarily be arrested if you can demonstrate that you had no knowledge of the vehicle’s stolen status. However, you would be required to cooperate with the police and provide them with any information you have about the seller. It’s crucial to report the incident to the police immediately upon discovering that you have unintentionally bought a stolen vehicle.

It’s important to exercise caution and perform proper due diligence when purchasing a used vehicle. Conducting background checks, such as obtaining a vehicle history report and verifying ownership documents, can help minimize the risk of buying a stolen car.

Is your car insured?

You won’t be able to get vehicle tax without valid insurance. The penalty for driving without valid insurance is often higher than driving an untaxed vehicle. It’s easy to forget whether you have renewed your car insurance, especially if you have several vehicles. Don’t get caught out – check to see if your car is insured now – checking your car insurance is FREE. Use the AskMID service to check your car’s insurance status