Losing your car can be a very upsetting and stressful experience. Even if it happened, there's still hope of finding your car. Believe it or not, you can use the VIN to retrieve a stolen car. We will explain how to locate a stolen car by VIN, including free ways to check, what to do after, and how to prevent car theft in the future.
What is a VIN, and Why is it Important for a Stolen Car Recovery?
A VIN, or vehicle identification number, is a 17-character string of letters and numbers assigned to every car and acts as an identifier. The VIN has the complete information of the car, including the year, make, model, past owners, maintenance records, stolen records, and much more.
When a car is stolen, the VIN becomes very important as it can be used to track the car by the police or insurance company. If a car is recovered or found during a police check, the VIN helps confirm whether it was stolen.
So, if you know your car's VIN, be sure to share it with the police or insurance to help you get the car back. It might be a faster solution than reporting a stolen vehicle without any helpful tools to get the car back.
Can You Track a Stolen Car With a VIN?
Many people wonder, “Can they track a stolen vehicle by using the VIN?” The answer is no, the VIN is not the same as GPS; they cannot track the exact time and location of the vehicle. However, the VIN is still very helpful.
When a stolen vehicle is found by the police, brought into a body shop, or brought into a car dealership, the VIN is often checked. If the VIN matches the reported-stolen vehicle, the car can be flagged as “Stolen” and will be held for recovery.
So while a VIN won't give you a map location of the stolen vehicle, it helps alert authorities and systems that a vehicle is stolen. This is why getting a vehicle history report is an important first step to recover the stolen vehicle.
How to Locate a Stolen Car by VIN
If your car is stolen, one of the first things you should do is check its VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). The VIN can help you find out if the car has been reported stolen. After finding the VIN, take these few steps to enhance the chance of getting your vehicle back.
Report the Theft to the Police
Be sure to call the police as soon as possible after you find out that your car has been stolen. Give them your VIN, and they will enter it into the national database center and mark the VIN as “Stolen.”
Do a VIN Check
While some free VIN checker tools exist, they may not show the latest and accurate information about the vehicle. The best one out there is Detailed Vehicle History. It can tell you if your vehicle has ever been reported as stolen and give a full history, including title issues, accidents, and ownership records.
Check State DMV Databases
Some state Departments of Motor Vehicles (DMVs) allow the public to search stolen vehicle databases using a VIN. This service is also free, but it may vary depending on your state.
Don't Decode Your VIN Recklessly
While there are many free VIN check tools, you need to be sure where to get your VIN checked and get the report. Not all free VIN checks you find have an accurate and reliable data source.
How Our VIN Check Tool Can Help Spot Stolen Vehicles
We offer a reliable vehicle history report tool to help you find out whether the car was ever stolen by using the VIN. You just need to decode the VIN and get the vehicle history report.
Here's what you will be getting on the vehicle history report:
- Theft records (if the car was reported stolen)
- The location where the vehicle was reported stolen
- Accident history
- Previous owners
- Title issues
- Registration changes
- Odometer
- Title brands
- lien/loan
- Maintenance records
- Recall
All that information can be found on the full vehicle history report you should be getting before you decide to buy a used car to avoid additional problems in the future that could lead to legal or financial trouble.
What to Do After You've Checked the VIN
If the VIN shows a sign that the car is stolen or your car is stolen, here are the steps you could take to prevent further disputes and to help the authorities find the vehicle.
Contact the Police with updated information
If you have checked your VIN and found it has been flagged as “stolen”, report the update immediately to the police. Share any documents or reports you've received. This helps law enforcement keep your case active and can support any investigation. Remember to always get a copy of the updated report for your records.
Notify the Insurance Company
Even if you don't have full insurance coverage for the car, make sure you inform the insurer that the car has been stolen. They may assist in the recovery process and offer advice on what to do next. If your policy covers theft, submitting the vehicle history report may help speed up the claim.
Contact the Lender if It's on Loan
If the car is still under finance, inform the lender about the theft and give them the result of the VIN report. Lender needs this information because, technically, the vehicle is still theirs until the buyer has paid off the loan to the lender. Some finance companies may have their steps to follow for stolen vehicles.
Report the VIN to the state DMV
You can also report the VIN to your state's DMV and ask if you need to file extra forms. In some cases, you may need to sign a stolen vehicle affidavit. Furthermore, avoid sharing your VIN information with a stranger to avoid identity theft of your vehicle.
Tips to Prevent Your Car from Being Stolen
Preventing theft is better than reporting if the car is stolen and dealing with the problem afterwards. Here are some simple tips you can follow to avoid being stolen from.
Use Visible Theft Deterrents
Steering wheel locks, brake locks, or blinking alarm lights show that your car is harder to steal.
Install a GPS Tracker
A GPS device can help police find your car quickly. Some trackers alert you if the car is moved without your permission.
Park in Safe Areas
Always try to park in a garage, under streetlights, or near security cameras.
Always Run a VIN Check Before Buying a Car
Make sure to do a VIN check when buying a used vehicle. This helps you avoid buying a stolen car by mistake. You can use a VIN check for stolen cars online.
Conclusion
Having your car stolen is stressful, especially when the car is still financed. Be sure to take a quick check with a VIN check to get the details of the car and give it to the authority, insurance, and lender to help you mark the car as “stolen” and improve the chance of recovery.
Always report updates to the police, your lender, and the DMV. If you're buying a used car, check the VIN first to avoid future problems. Staying informed and acting fast makes all the difference when dealing with vehicle theft.
Frequently Asked Questions
Technically, you can’t, because the VIN is not the same as a GPS. But, make sure you do a VIN check and get the details of the car so you can ask for the authorities’ help to mark the car as “Stolen” and as proof that you own the vehicle.
Not directly, but it helps police identify and flag the car. If the car is found or stopped by law enforcement, the VIN helps prove it’s stolen.
You must continue payments unless your insurance covers the loss. Contact your lender to discuss your options and see if they have any recovery systems in place.
