Motor vehicle theft is a serious crime, encompassing the theft of cars, buses, motorcycles, trucks, and more. This felony causes significant emotional and economic hardship for victims and society. Car theft manifests in various ways, including carjacking (stealing an occupied vehicle) and joyriding (stealing and abandoning a vehicle).
Authorities have implemented measures to protect consumers. In the United States, all motor vehicles must have a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and be registered with a licensing authority. A VIN makes it significantly harder to resell a stolen vehicle.
The FBI estimates that a vehicle is stolen every 25 seconds in the U.S., with recovery rates below 50%. Car thieves often target vehicles in car lots, replace their VIN plates with those from stolen cars, and sell them to unsuspecting buyers, according to Larry Gamache of Carfax.
Before purchasing a vehicle, carefully inspect its VIN. Verify that the VIN on the dashboard matches the one on the title documents and check for any inconsistencies. Gamache advises matching the VIN in multiple locations, including under the hood and on the driver’s side door jamb. Discrepancies in the VIN across these locations is a red flag.
While car theft remains a concern, you can still maintain your vehicle’s appearance and performance. Quality Ford parts are readily available to enhance your vehicle.