How VIN cloning works — and why we need to prevent it.

What is VIN cloning?

VIN cloning is when a vehicle’s identity is falsified so a stolen or illegal vehicle can appear legitimate. Criminals copy the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) from a legally registered vehicle and use that identity to disguise a stolen car, van, or truck. The result: unsuspecting buyers, dealers or fleet operators can purchase—or be held responsible for—a vehicle that is not what it seems.

Common ways cloned vehicles are used

Criminals exploit cloned identities for several profitable or evasive purposes:

Resale of stolen vehicles

A stolen vehicle given a false VIN is sold to an unaware buyer on the private market or through used-car channels. The buyer thinks they’re purchasing a legitimate car but may later lose it when authorities intervene.

Export or cross-border shipment

Cloned vehicles are often moved across borders where tracing is harder. A false identity makes it easier to ship vehicles abroad without detection.

Fraudulent rental, lease or finance agreements

A cloned identity can be used to obtain finance or lease agreements in another person’s name, leaving lenders and leasing companies exposed.

Use in other crimes

Stolen vehicles with false identities are attractive for use in theft, burglary, smuggling or other illegal activity because they’re harder to trace back to the perpetrators.

Insurance and registration fraud

Criminals may present a cloned vehicle as legitimately registered to make bogus insurance claims or to hide the true provenance of the vehicle.

How criminals typically obtain a “clean” VIN to copy (high level)

Cloning depends on matching a stolen vehicle to a legitimately registered vehicle of the same make/model/year so the false identity appears plausible. Without providing operational details, common vulnerabilities criminals exploit include:

The wide availability of vehicles of the same model on public roads.

Weak controls around paperwork and physical VIN checks during private sales or informal trade-ins.

Gaps in checks during quick online transactions or when paperwork is forged.

(This is why visible, physical protection of the VIN — and thorough verification at the point of sale — matters.)

Red flags for buyers, dealers and fleet managers

These are practical, non-technical signs that a vehicle’s identity should be checked more closely:

Suspicious paperwork: Incomplete service history, inconsistencies in paperwork, or reluctance to present original documents.

VIN plate irregularities: Plates or labels that look tampered with, scratched, re-mounted, or fitted with aftermarket covers that hide the number (always inspect closely).

Okay-but-odd pricing: A vehicle priced well below market value without a clear reason.

Unusual provenance: Vehicles offered quickly for sale by private sellers with little traceable history, or ones that change hands rapidly.

Mismatched details: Differences between the VIN and the car’s registration, service stickers, mileage history, or fitment (for example, trim level or equipment that doesn’t match the VIN’s build).

If you find multiple red flags, stop the purchase and perform independent verification (HPI/vehicle history check, contact the manufacturer or an authorised dealer, or notify local police).

How VIN-Shield helps

VIN-Shield provides a simple, visible layer of protection for vehicles at the forecourt, during storage, and after sale. By covering and protecting the physical VIN plate and making tamper attempts obvious, VIN-Shield:

Acts as a deterrent — thieves prefer low-effort targets; an obvious anti-tamper measure raises the effort and risk.

Makes tamper attempts more visible to staff and prospective buyers (so suspicious activity can be investigated immediately).

Supports dealer and fleet security protocols by adding an inexpensive, consistent protection measure across a vehicle fleet or stock.

VIN-Shield is not a complete solution on its own — it’s part of a layered approach that includes careful paperwork checks, vehicle history reports, and secure storage practices.

What to do if you suspect a cloned vehicle

If you suspect a vehicle might be cloned or tampered with:

Pause the transaction and do not accept the vehicle or transfer funds.

Run an independent vehicle history check (HPI or equivalent in your country).

Contact the manufacturer or an authorised dealer to verify the VIN against build records.

Notify your insurer and, if theft is suspected, your local police immediately.

If you’re a dealer or fleet manager, isolate the vehicle from your stock and review CCTV or intake logs for irregularities.