Buying a used car without proper checks can lead to serious financial and legal risks, especially if the vehicle has been reported stolen. If you unknowingly purchase a stolen car, the police have the right to seize it immediately, leaving you without a vehicle or a refund.
To protect yourself, you need to run a stolen vehicle check before purchasing. This guide will show you how to check if a car is stolen in the UK, why it’s crucial, and what to do if you accidentally buy one.
How to check if a car is stolen?
Here are 3 simple steps to verify whether a car has been reported as stolen:
Step 1: Get a stolen vehicle check from a trusted provider
Use a trusted stolen car checker like Caranalytics. Their Full Car Check (starting from £4.99) includes:
- Stolen car recorded history from the police stolen vehicle database UK via the Police National Computer (PNC)🔍
- Outstanding finance checks
- Write-off history
- Mileage fraud alerts and other critical checks.
Step 2: Verify the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Even if the stolen car check comes back clear, criminals may still try to clone a vehicle’s identity. Follow these extra safety checks:
- Compare the VIN on the car (found on the dashboard, door frame, or under the bonnet) with the VIN listed on the V5C logbook.
- Ensure the logbook is genuine (Look for the DVLA watermark).
- If anything seems suspicious, walk away from the purchase.
Step 3: Contact the police if you suspect a car is involved in theft
If a deal seems too good to be true (e.g., a high-value car selling for much less), it might be a theft-reported vehicle. If you suspect foul play:
- Do NOT buy the car.
- Report it to the police by calling 101.
- If you’ve already purchased it, inform your insurance provider immediately.
The consequences of buying a stolen car
If the police discover that your car was involved in a theft before you bought it:
- They will confiscate it, and you are unlikely to get your money back.
- You could face legal issues if they suspect any wrongdoing.
- Insurance may not cover your loss, as most policies exclude stolen goods. For added protection, consider using car trackers to monitor the location of your vehicle in real time. While they won’t prevent you from buying a stolen car, they can help recover it quickly if it’s taken after purchase.
Check if a vehicle is stolen – Instantly!
What do you do if you accidentally purchase a stolen vehicle?
If you discover that your vehicle has been stolen after purchase, follow these steps:
- Stop using the car immediately to avoid legal trouble.
- Contact the police (101) and provide all relevant details, including the vehicle’s registration number, VIN, and purchase documents.
- Inform the seller and check if they were aware of the theft.
- Contact your insurance provider to understand your coverage and legal options.
Facts on stolen cars: An experienced car accident lawyer from ST. Louis says that getting into an accident with a stolen car can escalate legal troubles. You could face liability issues and criminal charges, complicating matters further.
Should I notify DVLA?
Yes, if you find out that your vehicle is stolen or has been involved in a theft, you should notify the DVLA immediately.
- If your car has been recovered by the police, the DVLA needs to update its records.
- If your car is confiscated, you must remove it from your name to avoid potential tax or legal obligations.
Final Thoughts: Protect your investment from vehicle theft
A theft-reported vehicle check is a small price to pay compared to the risk of losing thousands of pounds on a stolen car. Before buying any used vehicle: ✅ Run a paid full car check on caranalytics for dvla stolen car check verification for complete peace of mind. ✅ Verify the VIN & V5C logbook. ✅ Report any suspicions to the police.
👉 Enter the reg number on caranalytics and get instant results today!
🚨 Avoid costly mistakes—check if a car has been stolen before you buy!
Frequently asked questions
DVLA doesn’t check if a car is stolen. Use services like CarAnalytics for real-time stolen vehicle data from the Police National Computer to avoid buying a theft-reported car.
Some providers like IsItNicked offer free stolen checks with sign-up, but many don’t. CarAnalytics includes stolen, finance, write-off, mileage checks and more in its premium report from just £4.99, using trusted PNC data.
Yes VIN tracking is possible, but most user friendly way to check a theft-reported vehicle is through a PNC stolen car check via a trusted provider like caranalytics, just by entering the vehicle’s registration number.
