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Buyers watch out!
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A haulier unwittingly bought a stolen truck and ended up in court The case was dismissed but it serves as a warning that buyers should establish whether a used truck really is the seller's to sell.
Pat Hagan reports.
Truck and trailer theft is rife. Home Office figures show that every year more than 3,000 LGVs are stolen —that's an average of one every three hours.
Only 12% of these will ever be recovered; many will have their identities changed before being sold on to unsuspecting operators. It's a multi-million-pound industry in which organised crime is the only winner.
But what protection is there for the innocent buyer? As the law stands, if a truck is found to have been stolen it will be seized, and the innocent buyer loses all the money he paid for the vehicle. What's more, judging by a recent case in the Republic of Ireland. the innocent operator, rather than the truck thief, could end up in the dock if caught in possession of a stolen truck.
Unlawful possession Martin Mines from Silverbridge in County Armagh was recently called before a district court in Monaghan after being charged with unlawful possession of a stolen truck.
The court was told the truck had been taken in County Cavan and was later spotted in Mines' yard in County Monaghan. Mines insisted he had bought the vehicle from an unknown seller who had advertised it in a magazine called Buy and Sell.
The court accepted there was no evidence to suggest Mines had been involved in the theft or had any idea the truck was missing. But this case highlights the problems buyers can face when proving they did not steal the truck and had no suspicion they were buying stolen goods. With this in mind, the Road Haulage Association (RHA) offers a checklist of security measures for would-he buyers to help them avoid being ripped off.
Before you even look at a used vehicle do some research. First, work out what make and model of vehicle best suits your needs — then find out where on the truck the manufacturer's identification numbers are, so you can check them when examining a potential purchase.
If you arc buying through an advertisement, make sure the seller has a legitimate business address and be on your guard if a business has just been set up.
The RHA advises: -Wherever possible buy from a trader or operator with an established and checkable track record.Also,find out if the vendor is the registered keeper and is familiar with the vehicle and its equipment."
Documentation could hold vital clues as to whether a truck is stolen. If the seller does not have a V5 registration document, don't even think about buying.
If he does. then check it has a watermark. If this is not visible when you hold it up to the light it's probably a forgery and the truck may not be his to sell.
Look out for registration documents with corrections or alterations — the DVLA never issues documents in this condition.
If you are reasonably satisfied with the paperwork it's time to inspect the vehicle itself— but never do this at night when you might miss important details.
Check the VIN
Make sure the vehicle identification number (VIN) matches the registration document. If it looks like the plate has been removed or the rivets have been disturbed, find out why. As an added security measure many LGVs also have the VIN stamped on the chassis rail forward of the steer axle so check that too.
The RHA says:"LGVs may have a visible VIN that can be seen through the nearside windscreen on or near the dashboard."
Always check the engine number, which is also listed on the registration document. Engines are replaced for legitimate reasons, of course, but make sure you get a clear and plausible explanation from the seller and ask to see any paperwork that might back this up.
The RHA warns buyers to be suspicious of any evidence that number plates have been tampered with. It adds that vital clues can also come from checking if the vehicle ID is etched onto glass surfaces: "Look out for more screw
holes in the number plate than are necessary And if security etching is present check that it is uniform throughout and that it matches the vehicle's ID. If there are window stickers,check underneath them in case they are hiding any security markings."
Never pay cash
One of the golden rules when buying a used vehicle is never pay cash this makes tracing offenders virtually impossible.
Trucks that are still subject to a hire purchase agreement are often sold on for a quick profit, but checking up on this is easy.
As long as the finance company has registered the truck's details with a company such as Hire Purchase Information or AA Car Data Check. a quick call can clear up any doubts.
Failure to make such a check could be very costly. Even if you've paid thousands of pounds for such a vehicle it remains the property of the hire purchase company until any outstanding debt is paid. •
PURCHASE WITH CONFIDENCE ON GUARD
Four key points to remember before agreeing a deal are: • Be sure before you buy.
• Never feel pressured into buying.
• Never pay cash.
• Remember the old adage: "buyer beware".
TRAILER TIPS
There have been repeated calls for trailers to be covered by a vehicle-style registration system, but all trailers should have some form of paperwork and identification.
• Look for a plate with an ID number as well as the manufacturer's name, address and phone number If it's not legible, or has been damaged, don't buy.
• Check the number matches the documentation.
• Don't buy if the paperwork has the word "Replacement" on it or has a very recent date mark.
• Check the chassis for signs of alteration or grinding.
• Never buy a trailer over the phone.
GETTING HELP To check a truck is not stolen or on HP, contact: • HPI on 01722 422422 • AA Car Data Check on 0870199 4058 -or go to www.aacardatacheck.co.uk • To check details of registration, year of manufacture, engine capacity and colour, call the DVL A vehicle check service on 0906 1858 585 (calls cost 49p/m[n) or go to www.dvla.gov.uk/vehiclelicenee