How to check if a car is stolen before you buy

Around 100,000 vehicles are reported stolen in the UK every year. If you unknowingly buy one, the police can seize it and you lose the money — the seller keeps it. A quick VIN check protects you.

Red flags before you even run a check

• Price significantly below market value.
• Seller wants cash, meets in a car park, or won't show ID.
• V5C is a new-format V750 or has spelling errors on the DVLA watermark.
• Service history is fresh-printed with no dealer stamps.

Running the check

Compare the VIN on the windscreen, door jamb and V5C. All three must match. Enter the VIN into VerifyVIN — we cross-reference the Police National Computer feed plus HPI / Cazana equivalents to flag stolen, salvage and outstanding-finance records.

Run a free VIN check now →