Buying a car with altered VIN

rsk_123

Hi All, 

My VW Golf was stolen abt 10 months ago. The insurance claim has been processed, but I haven't purchased another car in this period. Meanwhile, I was notified by metpolice last week that the car has been found and it's now with an auctioneer acting on behalf of insurer.

The car is marked as CAT N and it appears that the VIN has been damaged / modified, however the picture shows the car is in a reasonable condition with minor scuffs on body. 

The car has clocked up abt 14 k mileage in 10 months ( 3 times the mileage I'd have done during this period) and hasn't had an MOT in this time where it was due 8 months ago.

Although I still have the keys and a copy of V5C, I'm not allowed to visit the yard where it's kept or check if it starts / runs and I'm not given an option to purchase the car other than taking part in auction. 

Being the ex-owner of the car, I'm tempted to buy it in auction, but not sure if I'm making a right decision doing so. I would appreciate an expert advice on whether it is a good idea to buy the car and if so, how to value it in comparison to it's current market value.

Many Thanks

SK. 

Car_54

I'm not an expert, but ...

It's got no MOT
It has a dodgy VIN
It (almost certainly) has no service history since it was stolen
It is cat N

Also, at an auction, you'll be bidding against people who know exactly what it's worth, and the only way you'll win is to pay more than that.

Other than that, it might be a good idea.

Nobbie1967

I wouldn’t bother, unless you are a risk taker by nature. You may get a bargain, but equally you may get a car with many unknown issues. No guarantee your keys will work as they may have switched keys/ECU. What age was it?

rsk_123

It's a 2017 Model. 

cw8825

Car_54 said:

I'm not an expert, but ...

It's got no MOT
It has a dodgy VIN
It (almost certainly) has no service history since it was stolen
It is cat N

Also, at an auction, you'll be bidding against people who know exactly what it's worth, and the only way you'll win is to pay more than that.

Other than that, it might be a good idea.

It’s a bad idea
j unless there is some sentimental attachment steer well clear. The cons outweighs the pros

another way to look at it
if this wasn’t your old car would you be considering buying a car that had all these cons against it

facade

If the car is at Copart or similar, they will state whether it runs.

If they don't then it doesn't  

It will be hard to get good money with a damaged VIN, so I reckon fixed up it would sell for 50% of the book price- call it £3000

As a runner, it will be worth at action about half that say £1500 including auction fees.

As a non-runner, that might just need keys coding, or might have a seized engine, £500-£750 including auction fees.

To win, you'd need to overbid, so expect to pay upto £1000 including auction fees.

It could be a £1000  bargain, or you could throw away £1000 less anything you can get for the scrap.

Remember you will have to pay £££££ to get people to repair it (e.g. code the keys) the other bidders get "mates rates" and/or do it themselves.

rsk_123

Thanks for all replies / advice. Much appreciated. 

Although it's just a material thing, it's more that I get sentimentally attached to things I own. However, I think in this case, I have to heed to everyone's opinion and words of wisdom and have to learn to let it go and move on.

Many Thanks.
SK. 

Arunmor

If it was me, I might be tempted on the understanding that reselling later is probably a non starter.

Have you spoken to the yard holding it?  I have found the lads quite helpful and then you can check whether it is running and if there are any lights on and then bid accordingly.  Remember assuming car ok, you will be buying a car for a fraction of the price out of your payment from the insurer.

rsk_123

Tried contacting them, but they said that as they don't have keys, they couldn't confirm if it starts / runs. No any privileges being the previous owner in terms of viewing the car in person and they said it's not allowed and they wouldn't accommodate for an online as it's late before it goes on auction.. So, it's like buying blind if I went for this. 

Arunmor

Big plus is you have the keys and nobody else does.  An extra expense for anyone else.

Ectophile

Arunmor said:

Big plus is you have the keys and nobody else does.  An extra expense for anyone else.

Not if the theif has had the car re-coded to a new set of keys.