How to spot a stolen car
Stolen vehicles are usually passed on with their identity changed, but there are some golden rules to help reduce the risk of buying a stolen vehicle:
· See an original copy of the registration document – also known as the logbook – and check it carries its watermark
· Check the car's number plate, chassis number and engine number match to those recorded on the logbook
· Don't buy a car without its logbook. Stolen vehicles are often sold this way, with the seller claiming it has been sent to for updating. It may be the case, but there’s no way of checking
· Ensure the seller’s address on the logbook matches the one on their driving license or utility bill
· Invest in a full vehicle check for peace on mind
Even if a vehicle is bought in good faith, if it turns out to be stolen, the police can seize it; and, if it has been bought on finance, the lender can still demand payment.
How to spot a clocked car
A clocked vehicle is one where a dishonest seller has tampered with (i.e. reduced) the mileage recorded on the odometer - generally to increase the car's value. That means vehicles with high mileage could be passed off as having a low mileage to an unwitting buyer, who then pays over the odds.
To spot a clocked vehicle:
· Check the mileage on the odometer in the instrument cluster tallies with the car's service history. Alternatively, visit http://www.motortraffic.gov.lk/ to check the registration details.
· Check the car's general condition matches its age and mileage. Wear on the seats and steering wheel or lots of stone chips can point to a high mileage
· If the car has a patchy service history - or none at all - a vehicle check can help verify the mileage
How to spot a cloned vehicle
A vehicle which wears the stolen number plates from an identical model is known as a clone.
Clones are not necessarily stolen vehicles, with some criminals using stolen number plates to avoid parking or speeding fines, leaving the owner of the genuine vehicle to pick up the bill.
Many owners are unaware they’re a victim of such a crime until fines begin arriving. Unfortunately, the onus is on them to prove their innocence.
· Always check the number plate, chassis number and engine number match those appearing in the logbook
· Check for signs of damaged number plates, or evidence they have been recently removed or replaced
· A vehicle check can provide clues to identify a clone, such as color, trim specification and – in some cases – mileage
Vehicle ringing
A ‘Ringer’ is a stolen vehicle that has had its identification numbers replaced by a set from another written-off model and is supplied with fake documentation.
Ringers have either their chassis number or engine number replaced, so look for evidence of tampering around where the numbers are recorded. You can find the number on a small plate riveted under the bonnet and stamped on the vehicle’s chassis, under the carpet beside the front seat. In addition, the sometimes appear in the door pillar or at the base of the windscreen.
If you buy a ringer, it doesn’t legally belong to you, and will be returned to the owner or insurance company if and when it is traced back to you.
Follow these steps to avoid that happening:
· Ensure the registration document (logbook) is genuine, with a watermark running through it
· Check for tampering around the chassis number or engine number
· Make sure there is a satisfactory amount of paperwork
Cut and shuts
A 'Cut and shut' is the name given to a vehicle where the remains of two or more cars have been welded together to create a ‘new’ model.
The structural integrity of such vehicles is seriously compromised and can lead to serious injuries in a crash. Follow these tips to avoid putting yourself in danger:
· Examine the windscreen pillars and the middle section of the vehicle for signs of welding. Also, pull away the carpets and trim for signs of hidden welds
· Look for poor paintwork or colors that don’t match properly; and, check for paint accidentally sprayed on glass seals and trim
· Watch out for badly fitting or mismatched trim
· A vehicle check will highlight if a vehicle has been stolen or written-off – a cut and shut could be both