VIN Irregularities: Motorists Warned To Check Before Buying Second‑Hand Vehicles

• Hundreds of vehicles are flagged each year during MOT testing for irregularities with their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
• Illegible, missing or conflicting VINs account for the majority of VIN‑related issues identified at MOT
• VIN irregularities can indicate theft, cloning and unsafe repairs
• Drivers are being urged to look for anything suspicious particularly, when buying a vehicle from private sellers online

New research¹ by breakdown provider Green Flag shows that hundreds of vehicles each year are flagged during MOT testing for irregularities with their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), a key marker used to verify a vehicle’s identity.

A VIN is a unique 17-character code assigned to every vehicle. VIN irregularities are a red flag, often indicating criminal activity such as vehicle theft or cloning, or unsafe or illegal repairs after major damage. Beyond safety concerns, an unclear or inconsistent VIN can also have serious financial and legal consequences. Insurers may refuse cover or invalidate a policy if a vehicle’s identity cannot be verified, and such issues can prompt police investigation, potentially leading to fines or vehicle seizure where the vehicle’s identity is in doubt.²

Last year 449 UK vehicles were identified as having VIN irregularities at MOT, with illegible, missing, or multiple conflicting VINs making up the majority of irregularities identified.

Table One: VIN irregularities identified at MOT in 2025

Source: Green Flag/DVSA

Katie Lomas, Managing Director at Green Flag, commented: “A vehicle’s VIN is its legal identity, and when it is missing, illegible or appears to have been tampered with, it is often a warning sign of something far more serious, which is why vehicles with VIN issues at MOT will fail and trigger further checks. Issues can point to stolen vehicles, unsafe accident repairs or even organised criminal activity. We urge anyone buying a second‑hand vehicle, particularly from a private seller, to check all the VINs properly and to make sure they match the vehicle’s paperwork. Paying a few pounds for a professional vehicle history check can help protect you from fraud, financial loss and safety risks.”

Green Flag has pulled together some tips on where to find VINs and issues that should ring alarm bells when purchasing a second-hand vehicle.

Where to look for VINs on a vehicle

• Stamped directly into the chassis in the engine bay
• On the manufacturer’s identification plate, often found under the bonnet in the engine bay or near the door pillar on the driver’s side
• The base of the windscreen, usually visible in the corner on the driver’s side
• Check the V5C (logbook), vehicle title, registration, and insurance papers.
  • Complete vehicle history
  • Mileage records
  • Write-offs and damage
  • MOT History
  • Theft reports
  • Plate and colour changes
  • Outstanding finance

Searching for the vehicle's make, model, and year online is an effective way to find the specific locations of VINs.

What to check for when buying a second-hand vehicle:

• Locate all VINs and ensure they match exactly.
• Check formatting – VINs are always 17 characters long on post‑1981 vehicles.
• Look for tampering around stamping areas, welding marks, scratches, or mismatched fonts.
• Run an online vehicle history check using the VIN 
• Check paperwork– logbook, service records, and MOT history.
• It pays to do extra checks especially if the price is too good to be true

- ENDS -

Notes to Editors:

1   Freedom of information request to the DVSA to identify the number of vehicles recorded with VIN irregularities in 2025.

2 Vehicle registration fraud

For further information, please contact:

Unni Henry 
Green Flag Brand Media Relations

Email: unni.henry@aviva.com

About Green Flag

With over 50 years' experience, Green Flag provides customers with breakdown cover 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Customers have access to a network of breakdown operators across the UK and mainland Europe (Euro Plus cover required). Green Flag is part of the Aviva Group.

Customers can find out more about Green Flag products or get a quote by calling 0345 246 1557, connecting via the Green Flag Rescue Me Application, or visiting www.greenflag.com