Insurance specialists warn motorists over rising threat of car cloning
- Perry Richardson
- May 9
- 2 min read
Drivers are being warned of the growing risk of car cloning, where criminals steal or fraudulently obtain number plates to hide the identity of vehicles used in illegal activity.
Victims of cloning often discover the crime only when they begin receiving penalties for offences they did not commit. These can include speeding tickets, congestion charges and parking fines, all linked to a vehicle with their registration number.
Insurance specialists at Quotezone.co.uk say there is also a risk when purchasing second-hand vehicles. A cloned car may appear legitimate, but if identified as fraudulent, it can be seized by authorities. This can leave the buyer without the vehicle and out of pocket.
While there is no guaranteed way to stop cloning, there are measures that can reduce the risk. Parking in a garage or using a cover can help keep number plates out of sight. Drivers are also being advised to avoid sharing images of their vehicle online if the number plate is visible.
For those buying a used car, thorough checks are essential. All VINs on the car should match and correspond with the logbook. The DVLA’s vehicle enquiry service is available to check registration details before purchase.
Authorities continue to urge vigilance as cloning incidents become more common.
Greg Wilson, CEO and car insurance expert at Quotezone, said: “The sharp rise in car cloning across London is very worrying and highlights a need for more awareness around the crime, as all drivers are susceptible to this growing type of fraud.
“Car cloning is not just a minor inconvenience – it can have serious legal and financial consequences for victims, who often find themselves receiving fines or penalty points for offences they had no part in. In some cases, people have unknowingly bought cloned vehicles and lost both the car and the money they paid for it. An increase in penalty points can also increase insurance premiums from 5-25%, depending on the number of points accrued.
“Unfortunately, there is no way to completely prevent car cloning, but there are ways motorists can minimise the risk. It's also not sensible to share pictures of your vehicle online where the number plate is clearly visible – social media can be a goldmine for those looking to illegally copy registration details.
“While insurance companies can’t prevent car cloning, some may offer advice and assistance with legal expenses - which may help if you’ve unknowingly purchased a cloned vehicle, just be sure to check the policy details to see what's included.
“If you suspect your vehicle has been cloned it’s important to report it to the police, DVLA and your insurer immediately and consider getting a new registration number.”
