Car Cloning - Are You Aware?

Clones aren't just in the science lab these days, they are making their mark in the shady world of illicit car dealing.

A warning that a new style of con-man is moving into the used car market in a big way came from the AA.

Cloning is a more recent and less sophisticated fraud - but every bit as serious where you are handed over the papers of the vehicle's history as clean and transparent.

Until recently, most cars with a past were ringers - stolen vehicles given a false identity using the VIN [Vehicle Identity Number] and registration number of write-offs. With cloning, the fraudster doesn't bother to buy a written-off vehicle, he just takes an identity of a car he sees on the road and gives it to a stolen one by placing the reproduced, fake letters on the stolen car.

He then applies for duplicate registration documents, or else forges them. There are then two identical cars driving around with the same registration number, one of which is stolen.

Although it is possible that the thief will also "steal" a false VIN, this is less likely than with a ringed car. Once the fraud is revealed - usually when the car comes to the notice of the police - the innocent buyers of the cloned car stands to lose his cash.

The law is the same as it is for a normal stolen car. When its true identity is discovered you will have to return it to its rightful owner. This will either be the original owner or the insurance company who paid out for it.

So you could end up losing the car and the money you paid out for it.

The AA's beat-the-cloners tips include a thorough check on the vehicle's past ownership. "Whilst the safest way to buy a used car is from a reputable dealer, it is still important to make sure that the vehicle history checks and mechanical checks have been done."

Better still, do them yourself and you can be satisfied that you will be covered by the AA indemnity against buying a stolen car. Even in the uncharted waters of the private market, however, there are some simple steps you can make to dramatically reduce your chances of buying a ringer or a clone.

If you are buying your first car (a used vehicle) and you want not to be duped by a cloned one, here are the top 10 tips

1. Have the car properly checked by an experienced vehicle examining engineer.

2. Have the vehicle's history checked. An RAC vehicle examination will include that.

3. Check the Vehicle Registration document. Make sure that the seller, unless it is a garage, is the registered owner. Make sure, too, that the serial numbers (vehicle identification number and vehicle registration) are correct.

4. If the car has been MOT inspected, check the certificate. Also look at any repair invoices and servicing records.

5. Negotiate a price which allows for any repairs you will need to carry out. A professional vehicle examiner's report is a good bargaining tool.

6. Ensure you can afford to buy and insure the car - and that you can get insurance for it.

7. Get a receipt for a deposit or any other payment.

8. Agree a firm date and time to collect the vehicle or have it delivered.

9. When you collect the car or accept delivery, check that nothing has been removed or replaced.

10. Make sure that the seller fills in the tear-off section of the Vehicle Registration form. You keep the top part. Also ask for service history papers, the current MOT certificate and every set of keys.

Vehicle History