Cloned vehicles can put unsuspecting motorists at risk of financial loss and legal trouble as well as posing significant potential danger on the roads.
Criminals might clone cars to disguise stolen or damaged vehicles or to evade automated number plate recognition (ANPR) systems and avoid penalties for offences like speeding or parking fines. Understanding how cloning works and how to protect yourself can save you from serious problems.
What is vehicle cloning and how does it work?
Vehicle cloning involves creating a fraudulent identity for a car by using the registration details of a legitimate vehicle of the same make, model and colour. Criminals often use stolen or fake number plates to disguise stolen cars or other vehicles with a dubious history.
A key issue in this area is the ease of acquiring ‘show plates’ – number plates legally sold online without requiring proof of ownership. These plates, often costing as little as £20, are meant for decorative purposes but can be misused for fraudulent activities.
Without the need for tax discs to display registration numbers, it has become easier for criminals to attach cloned plates to stolen vehicles and avoid detection by ANPR systems. This can lead to innocent people receiving fines or even having their legitimate vehicles confiscated if cloned vehicles are used in crimes.
More sophisticated methods of cloning vehicles involve tampering with the vehicle identification number (VIN). This 17-digit code can be found somewhere on the bodywork of most vehicles in the world and is unique to the individual vehicle it should be found on.
Criminals may tamper with a vehicle’s VIN in an attempt to pass it off as a different one and profit on a motor that may have been stolen or previously badly damaged in an accident.
How can a cloned vehicle affect me?
Buying a cloned car or having your vehicle cloned can cause significant financial and legal issues.
1. Loss of money and vehicle: If the police discover a car is cloned, it will likely be seized and returned to its rightful owner or an insurance company if a claim has been made against it. You could very easily lose both the vehicle and the money you paid for it.
2. Fines and penalties: Cloned cars often rack up parking tickets, speeding fines and congestion charges, which are wrongly assigned to the innocent owners of the original vehicle.
3. Safety concerns: A cloned car may have other hidden dangers, such as being previously written off after an accident or having falsified mileage. These issues can pose serious risks to you and other road users.
How to spot a cloned vehicle
Conduct thorough checks when buying a second-hand car to avoid falling victim to a vehicle cloning scam.
· Run a stolen car check: Use HPI Check® to confirm the registration number, engine number and VIN match the records held by the DVLA. Any discrepancies could indicate the car is cloned.
· Inspect the V5C logbook: Ensure the vehicle’s logbook is genuine by holding it up to the light to check for official DVL watermarks. Missing watermarks could mean the document is forged. Also, make sure that the details you’ve been given match what’s in the logbook.
· Check VIN/chassis numbers: Examine all visible VIN or chassis numbers on the car to ensure they match the logbook and each other. Check for signs of scuffing or tampering around the VIN. If it is clean, but surrounding areas are dirty, this is a major red flag.
· Visit the registered address: Always view the car at the address shown on the V5C logbook. Criminals often avoid this step to conceal their identity. Asking to meet in a different location is another cause for alarm bells.
· Low prices and cash payments: Be wary of cars priced well below market value. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. If the seller asks for a cash payment, insist on a secure method. Card payments and bank transfers can be tracked if the worst happens. Cash leaves no trace and makes it easier for criminals to disappear with your money.
What should I do if I suspect a scam?
If something doesn’t feel right during the buying process, trust your instincts. Common red flags include:
· Sellers refusing to let you inspect documents closely.
· Inconsistent details about the vehicle’s history.
· Pressuring you to make a quick purchase or pay in cash.
If you have any doubts, walk away. It’s better to lose out on a car than risk losing your money or facing legal troubles.
What can I do if I have a cloned vehicle?
It can be distressing to find out you’ve fallen into a vehicle-cloning scam – especially if the first you hear of it involves the police.
If your car has been cloned and you’ve received notices for speeding or parking fines, contact the police. Your registration number will be logged in a police database while they investigate what has happened. This might mean that you are stopped more frequently when driving as officers have no way of telling which car using your registration number is genuine.
Buying a cloned car might mean that police or insurance companies repossess a vehicle that you thought was genuine. You will have little recourse to keep a vehicle that wasn’t rightfully yours or the seller’s. Getting your money back may depend on the method of payment you used and your appetite to pursue legal action against the seller.
Beat vehicle cloning scams with HPI Check®
A reliable way to safeguard yourself from vehicle cloning scams is by using HPI Check® before buying any second-hand car. In seconds, you can:
· Verify that the car isn’t stolen or cloned.
· Check for outstanding finance, falsified mileage or a history of write-offs.
· Confirm that the car’s registration, VIN and engine number match DVLA records.
An HPI Check® also includes a £30,000 guarantee, offering financial protection if you inadvertently buy a cloned vehicle. It’s a small investment for peace of mind and protection against fraud.
Our knowledge hub includes more information on motoring scams and the automotive industry generally to help you get the most from your motor.
