Stolen Vehicle Check

[Gerry Davis]

I found a typo in the VIN on my 69. There is a "5" where the "S" should be. It has been that way fpr at least 3 years. I need to get the police to confirm the true VIN. Is there any way on the net to check if the car was stolen beforehand, to prepare me for the worse? I checked the archives quickly but could'nt find anything.

[Robert C.]

Re: Stolen Vehicle Check

Gerry, There is no way to access the stolen car National Database other than through a recognized law enforcement agency.(that i know of). Here in Texas we have a Stolen Car Taskforce. They can check vin#s to see if the car has been reported stolen. Oh yes! I just thought of another way. I remember talking to a friend who is the sales manager of used cars at a Chevy dealership. I believe that they regularly check on cars they are buying from some computer database. If you know a dealer I'll bet they can help you. Is the "5" on the stamp pad or on the vin plate. If its the pad, then the engine might have been restamped by an uninformed individual. If it's the actual window area vin number tag that is changed and the title doesn't match it ,then you need to have it documented by the athorities.. GM has been known to make mistakes as well.


Texas Chapter NCRS

[Gerry Davis]

Re: Stolen Vehicle Check

Thanks for the info, Bob. I will try a Chevy dealer I know. The VIN is correct on the cars pillar, and matches the VIN on the engine (both have "S"). The Title has the wrong VIN ("5" instead of "S"). According to the DMV it's been that way for at least 3 years (previous owner). The car was in Texas at one time though, and when it was transferred to Missouri, it could have just been a typing error made at the DMV on the title transfer. My horrible thought is being arrested for possession of stolen property. I would do the right thing if it is stolen, but I don't want to get cuffed/jailed in the process.

[WayneC]

Re: Stolen Vehicle Check

Don't know if this will work for you, but about 15 years ago I was interested in purchasing a Corvette engine in the Dallas, Texas area. I was a bit suspicious because the engine was only about a year old and was stored in a garage behind an unoccupied house. I called the Dallas Police dept and asked how I could check on it. I was transferred to an officer in a stolen property office (or some such title) who did a check and called me back to say there was no record of the car or engine being stolen.

[Bill C.]

Re: Stolen Vehicle Check

Gerry: No biggie, typos happen all the time and a 5 in place of a S is the most common error. All you need to do is go to the DMV and apply for a "corrected" title and they can verify that the vin# is what it is by checking the one on the pillar post and engine pad. If you need a letter from a law enforcement agency that's easy to come by also. Bill Carpenter #20328

[Jimmy G.]

Re: Stolen Vehicle Check

A large percentage of Corvettes that I have owned that contained an s had been changed to 5 by clerks. It is not a big deal to correct in NC with the DMV as they see it often.

[Gary S.]

Re: Stolen Vehicle Check

I have had the same problem several times in Pennsylvania. The "S" becomes a "5" when the paperwork gets to DMV. Here you can have an licensed inspection mechanic validate the number, or police or sometimes just a tracing of the vin tag will do with the application to correct the title. Gary

[g.r.rogers]

Re: Stolen Vehicle Check

If it is only a type-o, no problem. many years ago one of my cars that was a coupe was titled by a clerk as a conv. not coupe. I never noticed until I sold the car.When I sold the car I went down to the DMV with the new owner and made sure they made the correction. The DMV isn't made up of car nuts like myself so they just type whatever. But I would get it corrected in case you run into an officer of the law that may not be so understanding. No use giving someone any reason to hassle you. Good Luck GRR#33570

[tom #33509]

Re: Stolen Vehicle Check

gerry i just fixed mine last week it was an 8 insteadt of an s police verifacation was needed but i got my title in 5 day's.is your car registered now? i had a nh title so i registered it in mass incorrect then fixed it after it was no problem!!