UK Drivers Beware: Car Cloning Can Get You Wrongly Accused

Any driver who owns a car could find themselves wrongly accused of a driving offence and issued a fine — thanks to a growing scam across the UK that involves stealing a vehicle’s identity.

This crime, known as car cloning or vehicle identity theft, happens when criminals copy the identity of one car and use it on another vehicle, often to commit offences while concealing the real perpetrator.

Although exact figures on the scale of car cloning are unavailable, a BBC Freedom of Information (FOI) request revealed that in 2023 alone, nearly 37,000 car cloning cases resulted in fines being cancelled — a 64% increase compared to three years earlier.

How car cloning works

Typically, criminals steal the registration details of a legitimate vehicle and duplicate them onto a different car. In some cases, they even alter the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to make the cloned car harder to trace.

The scam becomes more convincing when the cloned plates are put on a vehicle that closely resembles the original. Criminals often obtain number plates by spotting cars online — through social media posts or listings on car-selling websites — where plates are clearly visible.

Cloned vehicles are usually used to commit traffic offences or sold on to unsuspecting buyers. When automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras catch a cloned car breaking the law, the registered owner of the real car usually receives the fine or penalty, since the registration is tied to them in official records.

What to do if you think your car has been cloned

If you’re accused of an offence you didn’t commit and suspect your car’s identity has been cloned, first contact the authority that issued the fine. Explain that you believe your vehicle has been cloned — this can help pause or stop the case against you.

Next, inform the DVLA and police, stating that you’re a victim of car cloning. You may be asked to provide additional information and evidence, such as proof that your car was elsewhere at the time of the offence.

How to protect yourself from car cloning

Since criminals often use photos of cars to steal plate details, avoid posting pictures of your vehicle with the registration plate visible online, including on social media or sales listings. If you’re advertising a car for sale, consider blurring the number plate in the photos.

When not in use, try to keep your car out of sight, such as in a locked garage, to reduce the risk of physical theft or plate copying. You can also invest in special anti-theft number plates designed to break if someone tries to remove them.

If you’re buying a car and want to make sure it’s not cloned, carry out thorough checks. According to official DVLA advice, you should verify the registration number, make, model, and MOT test number, and examine the V5C registration certificate carefully to confirm all the details are correct.

By staying vigilant and taking preventive steps, drivers can reduce the risk of falling victim to this growing crime.