If a car had been stolen, re-sprayed and given new number plates, would the police be able to identify it?

firebobby

If it came to their attention for any reason they could check the VIN plate, situated under the bonnet or the VIN number is also engraved inside the vehicle, usually on the off side near the drivers door.
Saying that if they go to the trouble of trying to hide the cars true identity, they will probably have altered/obliterated these.So although it will be seen that the VIN numbers have been altered the true identification of the vehicle could remain a mystery.

Ollie

There is a serial number on the floor of car & engine.

Andrew C

the chassis number

Sal*UK

Yes, you don't mention that the VIN plates have been removed so its easy!

PinHead

yes by the VIN number

Big Bad Boris Mayor of London

First of all if the new plates weren't from an Identical car this would raise the alarm on their number plate detector. Secondly the Vin Plate is an ID for the car and so is the Engine number

roger69

yes, the chassis number

suzie2101

yes theres the chassis number under the bonnet

domme me

Every vehicle has a 'VIN' - 'vehicle identification number'
this is welded on the chassis , and other places on the car...... If the car was found and examined, it could 'probably' be identified... or, if the VIN was removed (Very difficult to do) it would be apparent that it was removed.

it would be difficult to track it down, unless there were some other factors, (ie, abandoned, or used in a crime) the car would not be subject to the kind of detailed examination to identify a VIN

Bill S

99% of law enforcement agencies aren't smart enough to look in other places besides the dash for the VIN so you probably would get a way with it.

There are other places on vehicles that the VIN is but it depends on the make and model of vehicle of where that other VIN is located.

L G

The Police have to have tracked it down first. Even if the chassis numbers are ground off, there is a special acid which can be applied to the metal which often reveals the imprint of the number. I guess by now that there are also some kind of X Ray equipment which will also reveal the imprint in the metal.The fact that there is no VIN plate or chassis number also suggests the vehicle is stolen. A trawl through the PNC vehicle file will narrow the field down considerably. i.e Ford Focus 5 door previously sprayed Metallic black 1.6 petrol engine.

brandy

Yes because the VIN (vehicle identification number) is on a plate usually in the engine compartment near the windscreen. On new cars this number is also on the screen.

Tanner H

Get a car tracking GPS, it's the only way you have any chance of getting your car back.

Sure the VIN would not match the car, but who is looking at the VIN? If the police are looking for a car, they are looking for a certain color and then they'll look further. They start with color though.

The car could be identified later, but if they went to the trouble of hiding the car like this, why would they have not at least made the VIN etchings and engravings impossible to read? And just alter the main one under the window to read whatever they want?

And what cop is going to be looking for VINs anyways? Only if the car was impounded later would you have a chance. Possibly if the car was sold later, there might be a chance then as well.

anthony c

yeah it will be dead easy for the police to track a car down ok i will explain when tou tell the police that your car has been stolen the first thing they will do is put it on the a A.M.P.R system what this stands for is auto number plate recinition system so what it dos when you car goes passed a police car it will tell the police officer that the car is stolen but like you said if they changed the number plates ok if your car has a tracker the police will get in touch with the your car manufactors to tell them to turn it on and when the police are driveing down the road and you car is park or drives past the system will start to blep at the officer and it will tell the officer what direction its in and the officer will home in on it . but if it hasnt got that well the way you will be able to fined out by the chase number in the engine compartment or at the left hand side of the windscreen or by opening the drivers door and there is a number there on the chase number it will tell the police the original colour and the origanal number plate and owner but the way the police can catch the car if the car is sold on to a car dealership or used in a robbery or pulled over and search because they check the chase number with swansea or burnt out .

thelandlady

Obviously the VIN plate and the chassis number must be in place. Also, you cannot just get registration plates made up anymore. You have to take the log book with you to get them done. So, unless you owned an identical model to the one you were trying to use in a dodgy manner you would raise suspicions trying to get registration plates.

AdelleStevens

VIN's on newer cars are etched on the windscreen.

It's easy to copy down the VIN and apply for a new registration document..anyone can do this.
Then with a bit of bravado you can go to the main dealers and obtain a set of keys...or can get plates made up for this vehicle.

I dont know whos bright Idea it was to put them where everyone and anyone can see it....but they did'nt think this one through!

CLAIRE S

yes they would, chassis number and vin numbers printed on the engine and on the body work

wrenchbender

yes, if they stumbled over it somehow. all newer vehicles have multiple vin numbers scattered throughout the car. used to be a wrecked/totaled car would be stripped of ID and attached to the stolen one. with the advent of tagging when they are reinspected for a salvage title they are dead meat. a chop shop alteration, unless the vehicle is "stumbled" into by the cops is PURE history.

shih tzu lady

Only if it was found or stopped and the Vehicle Identification Number was checked against the number plates. (VIN number).

UCANTCME

Yes, if they went as far as checking the chassis number, the inspection number and they could also check the engine number as well, if they wanted to.

"isitme"

If it's not fitted with a tracking device, it would have to come to the notice of the police for some reason or another.

In relation to identifying it as stolen, there are many ways to find it's true identity.

The VIN number is one way, engine and gearbox numbers another. If the engine number has been ground off, the surface can be treated with heat or chemicals, the process of stamping the number goes deeper into the block than can be successfully, completely removed, some of the number can always be retrieved after treatment.

The age of the car can also determine it's true identity.
Many parts on the car are date coded, if you know the coding system, and the police do, you can pinpiont the exact age of the car.

The date codes appear on all molded plastic parts, windows, light fittings, main wiring loom and anything which bears a manufacturers label.

With certain 'High End' vehicles, ie Rolls Royce, the chasis number is also stamped on all opening panels behind the trim, grille and dashboard.

linzibint

only if your plate was checked for some reason, but these days you dont really need a reason to get stopped or checked. Definalty the chassis Number would give the game away

Miss Behavin

yes - you check the chassis numbers. Some crooks try to scratch these off or remove them - but guess what? If you have a car with no chassis number, then it's a crooked one!

XPINKX

only if the police have reason to believe its stolen, or pull u over to do a check.
By number plates and car- as long as its registered to you and no alarms come up about it being a ringer then no...
but if your a 18 year old in a Â£50k car... then checks will be done if u get what i mean

Simon H

Yes by the chassis number. And if the number had been ground away, the person driving should be arrested for allleged theft of the vehicle.

colby t

the Vin number
so yes they would

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