Prevent DLVA from restoring an original cloned registration?

[davek_964]

I'd like to put my car up for sale - which currently has a private plate on it. Although it's a cheap plate, it is numerically sequential with the plate I have on another car and hence I'd like to keep it.

However - the original registration for this car was cloned. As soon as I bought the car (used), i got a couple of different fines through the post - I got an incident number which cancelled those fairly easily, and they stopped a week later when I put the private plate on.

But, I really don't want the hassle of that again if the car gets the original registration again and I can't find any info suggesting I can tell DVLA not to do that - even though they are aware of the cloning (I told them at the time).

Is there a way? Or do I either have to take the risk that the cloned car isn't running around anymore (I suspect it was on a stolen car because one of the fines was for driving off without petrol, and both fines were for the same day).
Or just accept that I'll lose the plate.

[MrBen.911]

If DVLA won't play ball, buy the cheapest plate you can find and put that on?

Or might be cheaper to put it back on original plate and then put that plate on retention, and they'll give you another?

[Earthdweller]

How long have you had the car ?

If it's anymore than a few weeks the chance of a cloned car running on its original plate are pretty much zero

[davek_964]

Earthdweller said:

How long have you had the car ?

If it's anymore than a few weeks the chance of a cloned car running on its original plate are pretty much zero

A bit over a year, but I don't understand your logic. Cloning isn't that rare these days and the plate was clearly cloned - why would the chances of it still being cloned now pretty much zero?

[dhutch]

davek_964 said:

A bit over a year, but I don't understand your logic. Cloning isn't that rare these days and the plate was clearly cloned - why would the chances of it still being cloned now pretty much zero?

Presumably because they move on to a new cloned plate and or vehicle fairly fast, to avoid it all catching up with them?

[davek_964]

dhutch said:

davek_964 said:

A bit over a year, but I don't understand your logic. Cloning isn't that rare these days and the plate was clearly cloned - why would the chances of it still being cloned now pretty much zero?

Presumably because they move on to a new cloned plate and or vehicle fairly fast, to avoid it all catching up with them?

If I'm right and it was because it's stolen, then yes - probably. But if it's just an owner who doesn't want to pay congestion / dartford crossing etc - then I'm less convinced.

[Earthdweller]

davek_964 said:

Earthdweller said:

How long have you had the car ?

If it's anymore than a few weeks the chance of a cloned car running on its original plate are pretty much zero

A bit over a year, but I don't understand your logic. Cloning isn't that rare these days and the plate was clearly cloned - why would the chances of it still being cloned now pretty much zero?

Two reasons

1. You reported it therefore there will be a marker on the PNC which will trigger every ANPR camera in the land and flag as a potential stolen car. It will also be shown and not being taxed or insured

2. The plate will have been withdrawn, again it will flag on systems as not existing

There is absolutely no benefit for a criminal to use a cloned plate long term

If they are using for a crime, once they have done that the vehicle will be abandoned

If they are using it to steal petrol, again the shelf life will be very short

They will, if they keep the vehicle, move quickly onto another cloned plate and repeat

[davek_964]

OK.

I was looking for something a little more definitive than "it's probably not cloned anymore" - ideally somebody who'd had the same circumstances. I agree there's a chance it's not, but it's a pain in the arse if it is - and I'd prefer to avoid that.

[Earthdweller]

davek_964 said:

OK.

I was looking for something a little more definitive than "it's probably not cloned anymore" - ideally somebody who'd had the same circumstances. I agree there's a chance it's not, but it's a pain in the arse if it is - and I'd prefer to avoid that.

I've not given you "probably" I've given you a reasoned explanation why

[davek_964]

Earthdweller said:

davek_964 said:

OK.

I was looking for something a little more definitive than "it's probably not cloned anymore" - ideally somebody who'd had the same circumstances. I agree there's a chance it's not, but it's a pain in the arse if it is - and I'd prefer to avoid that.

I've not given you "probably" I've given you a reasoned explanation why

Yes - and thanks. But reasoned or not, you have no way of knowing for sure that a cloned plate is no longer being used.

For one thing - unless they've actually been pulled for it they wouldn't even know that the plate they cloned has now been withdrawn etc.

Edited by davek_964 on Monday 21st September 15:13

[Earthdweller]

said:

In the same way you don't know for definite it's not going to rain next Wednesday

An offender would have to be terminally thick to continue to use a plate once the authorities know it's been cloned

Offenders know they have a shelf life and are quite capable of checking online to see the vehicle is still shown as

A) existing
B) taxed
C) insured

If it's been used to clone a stolen car for resale, it will have been moved on quickly, then again the police will have been round knocking on the door of whoever the innocent purchaser maybe to examine the vehicle and likely seize it the moment they tried to register/insure it

As you never received a notification of someone applying for a V5 for your car the last scenario is unlikely

[Earthdweller]

I should also add that if the DVLA have any concerns they will not reissue the original number but another age appropriate one

[davek_964]

DVLA suggestion is to use normal post to put my registration on retention, and include a covering letter.

I'm not sure I actually have a cheque book these days though!

[dhutch]

davek_964 said:

DVLA suggestion is to use normal post to put my registration on retention, and include a covering letter.

I'm not sure I actually have a cheque book these days though!

Its bonkers if there isnt a way to do this online or over the phone. Ffs Swansea.

[THE 80Y]

One thing to remember though, if the original number is put back on your car there still might be a police marker on it. You might get stopped by the police thinking that you're driving the cloned car. It would be simple to prove you're not but still a hassle.