PriceProtect™
DriveShield™
GarageGuard™
Services
Insurance
Car Insurance
Compare Car Insurance with Jerry
Jerry’s Expert Advice
Car Insurance Estimates
Home & Renters Insurance
Renters Insurance
Loans
Car Loan
Compare Car Loans with Jerry
Jerry's Expert Advice
Car Loan Guides
Repairs
Car Repair Estimates
Repair Estimates for Popular Services
Advice
Read Car Content
Browse Jerry Car Advice
Check Out Expert Car QnA
Learn About How We Create Content
Jerry Data & Research
What are the signs of a stolen car?
I’m car shopping and don’t have much to spend so I’ve been looking into buying used from a private seller. A friend warned me that some private sellers dupe naive buyers into paying for a stolen car. What are some signs of a stolen car?
Mary Cahill · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
I’m sure you’re going to find a great vehicle! It can be tricky to spot scammers if you don’t know what to look for.
One of the most important signs of a stolen car is the seller won’t provide the vehicle identification number, or VIN.
A trustworthy private seller won’t mind if you write down the VIN—it’s located on the inside of the driver’s side door, on the metal strip inside the car below the windshield, or on a sticker in the trunk within the spare tire storage compartment. If you notice the number has been scratched off or the seller is hesitant or refuses to let you have it, dodge this red flag and move on.
Once you have the VIN, plug it into the National Insurance Crime Bureau website to see if the vehicle has been reported stolen. You can also ask your insurance company to run the VIN through their database, or check with the DMV to make sure the license plates are registered to the car you are interested in buying.
Other signs you may be looking at a stolen car include:
- The VIN on the car doesn’t match the VIN on the vehicle’s service report and/or title
- The seller insists you pay cash
- The seller won’t let you meet them at their home
Part of buying the right car is protecting it with the best-priced
car insurance
policy. Not sure where to start? Go to
Jerry
.Jerry is a car insurance comparison super app that can compile a list of the most competitive rates from over 50 top-rated insurance providers in just 45 seconds. On average, Jerry users save $887 on car insurance!
View full answer
- Gregory R.
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
Join 4M+ members in lowering their car insurance
You Might Also Be Interested
Read Advice From Car Experts At Jerry
What Others Are Asking
Browse More Content
Insurance in Your State
Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance
No long forms
No spam or unwanted phone calls
Quotes from top insurance companies
