Q&A for How to Check if a Car Is Stolen

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Can I find out if a car is stolen by the license plate number?

Community Answer

Yes. You can go to your local DMV or police station, and have them run the license plate numbers through their system.

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Question

What happens if you can't find the VIN number?

Community Answer

The VIN number of a car is usually located on the bottom-section of the windscreen, near the wipers, or in the gap between the driver-side door and the frame of the car. Take it to your mechanic if you cannot locate it yourself.

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Question

Can I check on the internet with just the plate info? Beautiful expensive car has been in my apartment parking lot for over a month, hasn’t moved and has out-of-state plates.

Community Answer

Yes you could use cartaxcheck.com to see the state of the car. If this does not give the right info, search up a free car check in any search engine. Or, contact the police.

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Question

I bought a homemade trailer. It has plates but no title. How can I get plates?

Upnorth Here

Top Answerer

That depends upon your state laws and regulations, but there is probably a well documented process to request an inspection and issuance of a VIN (for some trailers) and a legal description for purpose of registration (e.g., MidAtlantic model foo34, with 1-ton GVWR).

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Question

Can law enforcement legally put a car on “stolen” status when they know it’s not stolen?

Upnorth Here

Top Answerer

Probably not. That could result in a violation of someone's civil rights when the car is located and the occupants are treated like suspected felons.

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Question

Do the CHP usually raid a property, search houses, and take items unrelated to a stolen vehicle investigation?

Upnorth Here

Top Answerer

Yes, CHP officers are sworn police officers and can enforce any criminal laws in the jurisdiction of the State of California.

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Question

Can you check if the same mark is removed from my car?

Bevan Crookes

Community Answer

If you look closely at the panel, depending on how old the original paint of the car is, where the mark was, you can see a close change and colour from the "new" to old panels/paint colour of the car.

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Question

How can I find my stolen car after 5 years?

Mickey Minnie Mouse

Community Answer

Go to the local police center and tell them your problems. Try to remember what is the number on the plaque. If you don't remember, call or go to the car shop you went to buy your car and ask them if they can check in the system the information relating to your car. There is normally the plaque number that you can tell the police after you got it. If you need to write it down, write it in your phone.

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Question

Is there a list of stolen vehicles categorized by make and model?

Brian Rourke

Community Answer

Yes, there is a list of reported stolen vehicles, which typically includes details like the year, color, make, model, license plate number, and VIN. Usually, only government entities, such as law enforcement agencies and the Department of Motor Vehicles, have access to this list.

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Question

How can I check if a car parked outside is stolen?

Mishael Wright

Community Answer

You can contact the police or use a government service in your country to get more information about the car's license plate or vehicle identification number (VIN).

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Question

I performed a registration check on a van I was considering purchasing, but it yielded no results. What can I do now?

Mishael Wright

Community Answer

The most likely explanation is that the vehicle is not registered, the license plate may have been entered incorrectly, or it was registered in another state. You should contact the motor vehicle authority to confirm its status.

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Question

Can I ask the police to locate a car's owner using its license plate number and have them contact me?

Mishael Wright

Community Answer

No, law enforcement cannot share a citizen's personal information due to privacy laws. However, in an accident or emergency, you can contact the police, and they may be able to assist you.

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