Stolen Vehicle Check
Does the car have a stolen record?
Police-reported stolen records for the vehicle, plates and engine.
A stolen vehicle check searches the national police-reported stolen records for a car's VIN, number plates, engine and chassis. If a car you buy turns out to have been stolen, police can seize it and you can lose both the car and the money you paid.
What a MotorRegistry report shows
- Stolen records for the VIN, number plates, engine and chassis from the national NEVDIS register Every report
- Official PPSR certificate, including the stolen check Every report
- Current registration status and expiry Every report
- Theft risk rating for the make and model Comprehensive & Plus
- Previous registration history: the plates and states we hold for the vehicle Comprehensive Plus
- Location history showing where the vehicle has been kept Comprehensive Plus
Every MotorRegistry report includes the official PPSR certificate plus finance owing, written-off, stolen and registration checks. See every tier side by side on the compare page.
What a stolen vehicle check looks for
When a vehicle, its number plates or its engine are reported stolen, police record it on NEVDIS, the national vehicle and driver information system shared by every state and territory registry. The PPSR draws its stolen data from the same source. A stolen vehicle check searches those records using the car's identifiers:
- VIN or chassis number: the 17-character vehicle identification number, or the chassis number on older vehicles.
- Number plates: plates can be stolen separately and fitted to another car to hide its identity.
- Engine number: stolen engines are sometimes fitted to other vehicles.
A MotorRegistry report tells you which type of stolen record was found, which state or territory reported it, and what it means for you, in plain English.
A plate record isn't always about the car. Number plates are reissued over time, so a stolen record on the plates may relate to a different vehicle that carried them earlier. Your report explains the difference. If a record appears, ask the seller about it and confirm the registration details with the state registry before you go any further.
Why run a stolen check before you buy
A stolen car still belongs to its rightful owner. If you buy one, police can seize it, and you generally have no claim over the vehicle. Your only option is to try to recover your money from whoever sold it to you, which often isn't possible once they've gone.
A check takes a few minutes and costs far less than the car. Run it on the day you plan to pay, using the VIN from the car itself rather than one sent to you in a message.
Signs a car may be stolen or rebirthed
Rebirthing is when a stolen car takes on the identity of a written-off or scrapped vehicle of the same model, so its VIN matches a real registration. A clear stolen check is the starting point, and these are the things to look at on the car itself:
- The VIN on the compliance plate, the windscreen, the door jamb and the registration papers don't all match.
- The compliance or VIN plate has been re-riveted, glued, painted over or looks newer than the car.
- The seller's name and address don't match the registration papers, or they can't show them.
- There is only one key, or the keys look new and the ignition or door locks show damage.
- The price is well below what similar cars are selling for, with pressure to pay quickly in cash or by bank transfer.
- The car has a write-off history, or has been registered in several states in a short time.
A Comprehensive Plus report lists the previous plates and states we hold for the vehicle and where it has been kept, which helps you spot the pattern of interstate moves that often goes with rebirthing.
How to run a stolen vehicle check
- Enter the car's registration number and state, or its 17-character VIN, in the search box on this page.
- Choose your report. Every MotorRegistry report includes the stolen check and the official PPSR certificate.
- Your report arrives by email and on screen, usually within a minute or two.
For more on what to do if you're caught out, read our guide to accidentally buying a stolen vehicle.
Stolen Vehicle Check FAQ
How do I check if a car is stolen in Australia?
Search the car's VIN or registration number against the national stolen vehicle records. Police report stolen vehicles, plates and engines to NEVDIS, the national register the PPSR draws its stolen data from. A MotorRegistry report runs that search from the rego or VIN and shows any stolen record in plain English within minutes.
What happens if I buy a stolen car?
The car still belongs to its rightful owner, so police can seize it and return it to them. You generally have no claim over the vehicle and would have to try to recover your money from the person who sold it to you, which is often not possible. Checking before you pay is the only reliable protection.
What does it mean if the number plates have a stolen record but the car doesn't?
A stolen record can be attached to the vehicle's VIN, its number plates, its engine or its chassis. A plate record means the plates were reported stolen. Plate numbers are reissued over time and can end up on a different car, so a plate record doesn't always mean the vehicle in front of you was stolen. Your report explains which type of record was found. Ask the seller about it and confirm the registration details with the state registry before you buy.
Can a stolen car be given a new identity?
Yes. Rebirthing is when a stolen car is given the identity of a written-off or scrapped vehicle of the same model. The VIN on the car will then match a real registration. Signs include tampered or re-riveted compliance plates, VINs that don't match in every location on the car, and a history of write-offs or frequent interstate registration changes. A Comprehensive Plus report shows the vehicle's registration history across states, which helps expose that pattern.
Is the stolen check included in every MotorRegistry report?
Yes. Every MotorRegistry report includes the stolen check and the official PPSR certificate, along with finance owing, written-off status and registration details.
Check the car before you pay
Enter the rego or VIN to see what's on record for the vehicle.
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