Overview of Stolen-Titled Cars in the Secondary Market
Experts note a troubling trend in the used-car market: vehicles listed as stolen can end up being sold through various channels. In January 2023, specialists from Autocode identified 49 such vehicles while compiling reports. The pattern is clear enough for buyers to consider a key precaution before completing a purchase.
Within the most frequently affected models, January data highlighted a hierarchy of risk. The leaders in terms of reported theft labels included the VAZ-2109 with three incidents, followed by the Lada Granta, Lada 4×4, and Toyota Land Cruiser with two incidents each. Other models such as Hyundai Solaris, Toyota Camry, Ford Focus, Kia Mohave, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Porsche Cayenne, and Toyota Land Cruiser Prado each appeared once in the theft category during the period analyzed.
Buyers of second-hand vehicles are advised to conduct thorough checks on the car’s history before finalizing a deal. If a vehicle is bound for registration with unresolved circumstances, authorities may impound it while investigations proceed. In such cases, the new owner could be summoned as a witness in a criminal case, potentially forfeiting both the car and the money paid for it. Caution and verification are essential to avoid financial and legal complications.
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Notes on information sources indicate the data originated from a published Autocode report, which provides context for the observed patterns in the secondary market and serves as a reference point for buyers and sellers alike. Where possible, buyers should seek official VIN checks, service histories, and ownership records to confirm legitimacy of the title and the vehicle’s provenance. By pursuing due diligence, consumers can reduce risk and avoid taking on vehicles with unresolved legal status. (Autocode report referenced for context)