US Car Check

Theft

Is the car stolen? How to check

Buying a stolen car usually means losing both the car and the money. A free check and a few minutes of looking closely make that very unlikely.

The free NICB VINCheck

The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), a not-for-profit organization funded by insurers, offers VINCheck free at nicb.org/vincheck. It searches records supplied by participating insurance companies for:

  • Vehicles reported stolen and not recovered.
  • Vehicles reported as a total loss (salvage) by a participating insurer.

The service limits how many searches you can run in a day, so have your VINs ready.

What VINCheck can't tell you

  • It only sees data from insurers that take part. A theft or total loss reported elsewhere may not appear.
  • An uninsured vehicle that was stolen may never have been reported to an insurer.
  • It doesn't show accidents, title brands from state agencies or recalls.

A "no record" result is good news, not a clearance. Pair it with an NMVTIS title check and the physical checks below.

VIN cloning

Thieves sometimes copy the VIN from a legitimate car of the same make, model and colour onto a stolen one, with forged paperwork to match. A VIN check on a cloned car comes back clean, because the number belongs to a real, unstolen vehicle. That's why matching the VIN in several places on the car matters.

Physical checks

  1. Dashboard plate. Should be firmly fixed, with factory rivets and no scratches or glue around it.
  2. Door-jamb label. Present, intact and matching the dashboard. A missing or replacement label needs explaining.
  3. Other VIN locations. Many vehicles also carry the VIN or part of it on the frame, engine or body panels. A mechanic can find them.
  4. Keys. Ask for all the keys. A single key, a key that looks new, or a damaged ignition or door lock is a warning.
  5. Paperwork. The name on the title should match the seller's ID, and the title VIN should match the car exactly.

Warning signs in the deal

  • Price well below similar cars, with pressure to decide fast.
  • Seller wants to meet somewhere other than their home or business.
  • Cash only, or an unusual payment method.
  • Title just issued, from another state, or "on its way."
  • Seller can't answer basic questions about the car's history.

If you think a car is stolen

Don't confront the seller. Walk away and report what you know to local police, with the VIN, plate, advert and any messages. If you've already bought a car that turns out to be stolen, contact the police and your state motor vehicle agency straight away.