Thousands of cars are stolen each year, often for resale. If you're in the used car market, check your car's chassis number (Vehicle Identification Number aka VIN) to see if your car has been stolen before. You should also contact the insurance company and carefully analyze the ownership and service history of the vehicle. There are also many signs indicating a stolen car that you need to watch out for.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Checking the Frame Number
Step 1. Find the vehicle frame number
Each car has a chassis number, which you should check so you can start looking. The chassis number consists of 17 characters and functions similarly to a vehicle ID number. Do not take the order number given by the seller for granted. Instead, it's a good idea to thoroughly inspect your own vehicle for this number. You can find the chassis number in the following locations:
- Left corner of the dashboard in front of the steering wheel
- The inside of the driver's side door jamb
- Inside the rear wheel case just above the tires
- In front of the car frame, near the container that holds the windshield wiper fluid.
- In front of the engine block
- Under the spare tire.
Step 2. Check if the chassis number has been tampered with
All frame number labels attached to the vehicle must have no loose corners. Also, check for scratches, tears, or engraving marks.
- Also touch the frame number label with your fingers. Supposedly, the label feels smooth to the touch. If it feels scratched, chances are the label has been tampered with.
- The label frame number label must not be held in place by screws or nuts. If so, the owner is trying to hide the frame number.
Step 3. Check if the chassis number matches the original BPKB and STNK
After you confirm the authenticity of the BPKB and car STNK documents, you can check whether the frame number listed on the car matches what is stated in the two documents. You can access BPKB Services for more information.
Step 4. Report the theft
If you suspect the car is a stolen car, you can report it to the nearest police station.
You can also contact the police in your city. Provide as many details as possible for your car dealer, including name, address, and appearance
Part 2 of 3: Using Other Methods
Step 1. Contact the insurance company
Insurance companies have their own databases so you can ask them to check for possible clones. A car clone occurs when a thief removes the chassis number plate from a stolen car and replaces it with another plate. This new frame number is often stolen from other cars.
Step 2. Perform a vehicle ownership search
To do this, contact the police station in your city and provide the vehicle frame number. The results of the inspection will show whether the car has been seriously damaged or declared as a total loss by the insurance company.
- If this search is expensive, please contact the Police station in advance to check the price and accepted payment methods.
- Make sure the seller's information matches the vehicle ownership information. If there is a difference, it means the car is likely stolen.
Step 3. Ask a mechanic to inspect the vehicle
Your mechanic can find out if the chassis number has been tampered with or not. What's more, your mechanic can check the overall condition of the car so you don't buy obsolete items. Don't buy a used car without having it checked by a mechanic first.
Step 4. Review the service history of the car
The car's frame number should also appear in the service history, which the owner can share. Make sure the chassis number in the service history matches the car's frame number. Otherwise, chances are the car is stolen.
Of course, car owners can fake service history to hide the fact that the car is stolen. If you live in the United States, you can request a copy of your own service history via Carfax or AutoCheck for less than IDR 1,500,000. You also need to prepare the vehicle frame number. When you get a report, compare the description of the car in the service report with the car you want to buy
Part 3 of 3: Identifying Danger Signs
Step 1. Be careful if the seller is using a cell phone
Thieves travel a lot so they tend to do business via cell phone. They may also not have a fixed address. When you go to see the car, ask him where he works and where he lives. If they don't tell him, chances are the car is stolen.
Step 2. Be careful with cars advertised in newspapers or the internet
While many honest sellers also advertise there, most stolen cars are sold this way. So, it's best to buy from a trusted dealer or someone you know well.
For those who live in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the dealer's reputation can be checked on the Better Business Bureau website
Step 3. Request a sales receipt
You must have some kind of document certifying the purchase of the car. If the seller is reluctant, don't buy the car. Typically, you will need to request a sales receipt, which includes the following information:
- Car make, model and year
- Chassis number
- Seller's name and address
- Name and address
- Purchase price
- Seller's signature and date
Step 4. Beware of all the grandiose offers
If you are surprised by the selling price offered, there may be something suspicious. Ask the seller why he wants to sell his car at a low price. If the story doesn't match, stop negotiating and don't buy the car.
