Car Stolen, Recovered and Partially Ringed - What now?

[NorthDave]

Hi All

My brother had his car stolen approx 10 days ago and it has now been recovered by the police (and someone arrested!).

The car has been partially ringed - VIN number gone from engine (maybe elsewhere too) and mileage changed. It even has a new set of papers.

We aren't sure what approach to take with the insurance - obviously the car will be worth less upon resale and a load more hassle to sell.

Has anyone been through this before and has some advise they can offer?

[thatdude]

Can you contact the manufacturer head office in the UK and provide them with the remaining correct ID's and see if anything can be done to have it properly re-registered as it previously was?

[400SE Dave]

Should be written off if the identity cannot be restored shouldn't it??? I would be asking for that at least

[NorthDave]

400SE Dave said:

Should be written off if the identity cannot be restored shouldn't it??? I would be asking for that at least

I would imagine that it could be put back to the old identity but the worry is that it will always be tainted (I think VINs are designed to show up when they have been tampered with?).

I'm not sure they can wave a magic wand to get it back to original. We dont even 100% know the mileage from before it went walkies.

[eybic]

Is it the VIN or engine number that's been changed?

[NorthDave]

eybic said:

Is it the VIN or engine number that's been changed?

Engine number. I believe the VIN in the windscreen has been obscured. Not sure on the others.