When buying a second-hand vehicle, it is customary to act in good faith, thinking that the car or motorcycle is free of charges. However, there are times when this is not the case and we find ourselves with unpleasant surprises once the purchase has been made.
Something that happens more often than you might expect is a stolen second-hand car. Given all the inconveniences that this can entail for anyone, it is very important that you take into account all the indications that we are going to give you throughout this article and that you need to know if you are looking for how to know if a car is stolen.
In this way, through the different methods that we are going to explain, you can be sure that the vehicle you are buying really belongs to the person who is selling it to you. Not all the methods explained are applicable to a second-hand vehicle, but with two of them you will be able to use them in any type of situation.
Instructions to know if a car is stolen
Next we are going to talk about three different methods to check if a car is stolen. Pay attention to each and every one of them:
Method 1 – Checks ‘in situ’
The first method to be able to make sure that you are dealing with a car that has not been stolen is to pay attention to several aspects that are important, and which are often not given too much attention:
- First of all, you have to check the seller’s data. If the person who is going to sell you the vehicle does not show you their identification (DNI, passport…) start to suspect. This does not mean that the car is stolen, but it is an indication that, for whatever reason, you do not want to be identified when making the sale. It can also be due to the fact that the car is seized or has loads.
- If the seller does not give you their personal information or phone number, it is also an indication that something is wrong. Many of the scams and scams that we find in the second-hand market come about because the seller only provides an email that is easy to circumvent. This attitude will make it possible that it is a stolen car.
- Also, you should look at the data of the vehicle itself. To do this you must check that the frame number corresponds to the one that appears on the car papers. This must match and if not, you should not buy it, since you will be facing a vehicle that has illegal aspects.
Method 2 – DGT Report
If you are looking for how to know if a car is stolen, you can also request a complete report of the vehicle from the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT). It is possible to do so as long as you are not aware that the seller is really trustworthy and the owner of it. In this way you will be able to know if the person who tries to sell you the same is the owner.
To do this, it is as simple as accessing the DGT procedures electronically through your electronic identification means. If you prefer, you can go to a Provincial Traffic Headquarters, although for this you must request an appointment. To receive this information, that is, the complete report, you will have to pay a fee.
In said report, all the data of the vehicle will appear, such as the owner of the car, the registration address, the date on which it was registered for the first time and each of the re-registrations that it may have had subsequently. You can also check if the ITV has passed and the number of kilometers it had when passing it.
In the event that it is a rental vehicle, the cancellations that it may have had will appear; and you will also be able to obtain information regarding the import or export of the same, if it has charges, seals, limitations, embargoes… This is a highly recommended procedure always before buying any type of second-hand vehicle.
Method 3 – Registry of Movable Property
In addition to the previous methods, you have the possibility of resorting to a third way of verification. To do this you have to go to the Personal Property Registry, thanks to which you can check if the person who sells you the vehicle is really its owner.
Keep in mind that only the signature of the legitimate owner is valid within the sales contract that you make when buying your new second-hand vehicle. You can use this method to confirm everything you have been able to find out on the occasion of the report from the General Directorate of Traffic or to replace it.
Opting for any of these three methods can help you avoid any disappointment associated with an illegal sale of a vehicle. This way you will avoid being in front of a stolen vehicle that could give you problems in the future.
