Stolen car check: Don't buy a stolen car!
Check if your future car has ever been reported stolen.
When buying a used car, it is important to verify that the vehicle has not been reported stolen. A stolen vehicle can create serious legal and financial problems for the buyer, even when the purchase was made in good faith.
Why should you check if a car has been stolen?
Used car buyers often focus on price, mileage, visible condition and accident history. However, checking whether a car has been reported stolen is just as important before making a purchase decision.
If a car was stolen, the authorities may seize it and return it to the original owner or insurer. In that case, the buyer can lose both the vehicle and the money paid for it.
A stolen car check helps you identify warning signs early and gives you more confidence before committing to the transaction.
How can a stolen car check help?
The CARFAX Vehicle History Report can include theft records when they are available from trusted data sources. This helps you check whether a vehicle has been reported stolen in the past.
Before buying a used car, compare the VIN on the vehicle with the VIN in the documents. Any mismatch can be a sign that something is wrong.
It is also important to be careful when the seller pressures you, avoids documentation, or offers a price that seems too good to be true.
Where can you find the VIN?
The Vehicle Identification Number is usually found on the vehicle itself and in the vehicle documents. Common locations include the dashboard near the windshield, the driver-side door frame, under the hood, and registration documents.
Always check that the VIN is readable and consistent across all locations. A scratched, covered, altered, or mismatching VIN should be treated as a warning sign.
Don’t rely only on what the seller tells you
A seller may not know the complete history of a vehicle, especially when it has passed through several owners or countries. The CARFAX report can help reveal information that may not be visible during a basic inspection.
Checking for theft records should be part of your wider used car due diligence, together with accident history, mileage, ownership, service history and import records.
Check in advance to avoid unpleasant surprises
Enter the VIN and check the available vehicle history before making your used car purchase decision.