Shopping for a new vehicle (even if it's only new to you) is an exciting experience. However, it's important to be cautious. The rise in auto theft across Canada has led to another troubling trend: more and more people are falling victim to buying stolen reVINed vehicles. So, if you're looking to buy a new vehicle, here are some tips to spot one that’s been reVINed.

What is reVINing?
A vehicle identification number (VIN) is a unique 17-character code comprised of letters and numbers assigned to each vehicle when it’s manufactured¹. A VIN is like your car’s fingerprint and provides key information about the vehicle’s make, model, year, manufacturer, etc¹. A VIN remains the same no matter how often a vehicle changes owners or licence plate numbers¹.

ReVINing is a deceitful process that alters the VIN of a stolen vehicle, hiding its true identity². This allows criminals to register and sell stolen vehicles to unsuspecting buyers. The reVINing process involves two steps:
 

1. Accessing a credible (but false) VIN. For example, a criminal could purchase a registrant identification number (RIN) for a small fee in Ontario². A RIN is a unique number assigned to each vehicle owner that tracks the vehicles they own or have previously owned². A RIN includes sensitive information such as VINs, making it easier for criminals to disguise stolen vehicles with “legitimate” identifiers².
2. Using the false VIN to register a vehicle. Criminals exploit provincial registration authorities’ procedural vulnerabilities to register stolen vehicles fraudulently².

How can two vehicles have the same VIN?
Unfortunately, government agencies that provide vehicle registration services, such as ServiceOntario, don’t have a system to check if a VIN already exists in another jurisdiction². This creates a loophole that allows a vehicle to be registered in one province with the same VIN as a vehicle registered in another province². Criminals take advantage of this loophole to register stolen vehicles with a duplicated VIN, making it challenging to identify and track stolen vehicles across provincial borders².

How could this impact me?
Suppose the true identity of a stolen reVINed vehicle is discovered. In that case, the unsuspecting buyer's vehicle is seized and returned to the actual owner². Generally, buyers will only be financially compensated if they bought their vehicle from a registered dealer². Not only does this affect buyers, but it also contributes to a collective increase in the cost of auto insurance². According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), auto theft has added an extra $130 on average to drivers' insurance premiums in Ontario alone, making it a concern for everyone².

Fortunately, there are some tips you can use to protect yourself from falling victim to reVINed vehicles:
 

1. Know who you're buying from. It's a good idea to ask the person you're purchasing a vehicle from for a name, address, email, phone number, and identification.

• If you’re buying from a dealership, run their information through the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC) database to ensure they’re registered to sell motor vehicles in Ontario. You can also confirm their GST/HST account number through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) registry.

2. Get a CARFAX report to ensure the vehicle’s history and details are consistent.
3. Order a used vehicle information package (UVIP). Pre-owned vehicle sellers are legally required under the Highway Traffic Act to provide this package to buyers. Buyers can also purchase a UVIP themselves. This package contains:

• Vehicle details (including the year, make, model, colour, body type, cylinders, and power)
• Vehicle registration history (including all past and present owners)
• Vehicle lien information
• Retail Sales Tax (RST) information
• Bill of sale information

4. Take the vehicle to a trusted mechanic to inspect and validate it.
5. Stop and ask yourself these questions:

• Is the vehicle price fair market value or too good to be true?
• Where does the seller want to meet? It’s advisable to meet at a police station parking lot, as it’s well-lit and has surveillance.
• Is the seller requesting cash only and/or refusing to provide a bill of sale?

Now more than ever, it's essential to do your due diligence. Following these tips can keep you safe.

If you're a current OTIP policyholder, contact us at 1-833-615-9329 to review your existing auto insurance policy. If you’re not insured with OTIP and are shopping for auto insurance, call us at 1-833-494-0085 to get a quote and receive a $20 gift card of your choice!
 

1. Insurance Bureau of Canada – Understanding VINs
2. Insurance Bureau of Canada – Combatting Canada’s Auto Theft Crisis: Tackling ReVINing