PREVENTING

CRIME

TOGETHER

IN

SCOTLAND

 

Car Buyer's Guide

  

Advice on buying a secondhand car

  
       

On average some 30,000 motor vehicles are stolen in Scotland every year. Of these up to 20% are never recovered - many are disguised by the thief and sold to innocent purchasers.

 

This "guide" aims to prevent you from buying a stolen car. Please use our advice to protect yourself.

 

The Vendor

  • Is he/she familiar with the vehicle and it's controls?

  • What insurance has he/she paid? (Can they show you a current certificate of insurance?)

  • Is he/she the registered keeper? (If not, why not?)

  • Hold the registration document up to the light - it should have a watermark. (Forgeries normally do not).

Registration Plates

  • Do they appear to be newer than the car?

  • Are their too many screw holes?

  • Do the registration plate appear to have been taken off at any times? If any answers are "yes" ask why? (Remember: Most registration plates display a dealer's name!)

Research

  • Decide what make and model you are interested in.

  • Find out where the vehicle's identification numbers should be.

  • Consider taking an independent qualified examiner with you.

Locks and Security

  • Does the car have a working alarm system?

  • Do the lock differ? (thieves often change locks they have damaged).

  • Do any of the door locks or surrounding areas appear to have been damaged? (Signs of a forced entry?)

  • Check the locking petrol cap - has it been forced or replaced?

Final Advice

If you buy a vehicle which is subsequently found to be stolen, apart from the problems you may have explaining your actions to the police, you will have no right in law to the ownership of that vehicle.

YOU ARE LIKELY TO LOSE BOTH THE CAR AND THE MONEY YOU PAID FOR IT.

  • Be SURE before you buy.

  • Never feel pressured into buying.

  • Never pay CASH.

  • Always remember "Let the Buyer Beware".

  • IF IN DOUBT - WALK AWAY

See below for example of Vehicle Identification Plate

Private Advertisements

  • Can you identify the vendor? Beware of mobile telephone numbers (which may not be traceable).

  • Beware of "between 5pm & 6pm" type adverts. Is this a phone box? Try calling outside the specified hours.

  • Does the vender hold the vehicle registration document and a MOT certificate? If not, why not?

  • Always arrange to view the car in daylight at the vendor's home - satisfy yourself it is their home.

  • Never allow them to bring the vehicle to your home or meet you at some other location.

Windows

  • Are their any dealer stickers displayed on the windows? If there are none, ask why? (Dealers like free advertisements!)

  • Check carefully underneath stickers where fitted. (They used often used to conceal etching!)

  • Are windows etched with the correct registration or part vehicle identification number?

  • Have any areas of glass been scratched off? (Check ALL glass including headlamps, tail lamps and sunroofs).

  • Have any of the windows been broken and replaced? If so, under what circumstances?

 
 

 

  • LOOK for the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) plate:

  • Does it match the registration document?

  • Does it appear to have been tampered with?

  • Have the rivets been disturbed?

  • Has the VIN plate been removed if so, ask why?

Vehicle Identification Numbers

Click on thumbnail to enlarge

 

 

 

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   FIND the stamped-in vehicle identification number.    

  • Check the surrounding area for signs of any alteration.
  • The 17 digits should be evenly and levelly stamped and should match the registration document. 

CHECK the engine number:

  • Does it match the registration document?

  • Has it been interfered with or altered?

  • Has the engine changed?