DVLA counters crime with new
strategy and registration document. Girish Gupta
reports.

 

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Used vehicle history checker HPI
has backed the DVLA’s Buyer Beware campaign aimed at preventing car
fraud. The campaign coincides with the release of the new V5C
vehicle registration certificate four years after 400,000 of the
earlier documents were stolen.

The new certificate is coloured red
to differentiate it from the old blue one; makes explicit that it
is not proof of ownership; and carries advice for consumers about
buying used vehicles.

The earlier stolen documents were
used by criminals to sell stolen vehicles. Only 2,000 of the
documents were ever recovered by police.

The new certificate was launched in
August for newly registered vehicles and when there are changes to
an existing registration, such as a change of keeper or address.
The new certificate will be issued to all vehicles from
mid-2011.

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Nicola Johnson, Consumer Services
Manager for HPI, said: “The new V5C certificate and Buyer Beware
campaign from the DVLA are a real boost in the fight against car
crime. However, car criminals may continue to use the old style
V5Cs that were stolen in 2006, which will still be accepted until
they are phased out. Therefore, used car buyers need to be on their
guard against cloned vehicles now more than ever.

“The steps that the DVLA have taken
will be a massive blow for criminals. Initiatives such as this,
coupled with greater consumer awareness, will stop car criminals
dead in their tracks.”

The HPI check is one weapon used car buyers have against rogue
dealers. It ensures that the vehicle’s V5C certificate is not one
of the batch stolen in 2006 and whether the car in question is
registered with the police as stolen, has been written-off by an
insurance company or has outstanding finance against it.