What Happens If You Remove a VIN Number?

Every motor vehicle has a 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Similar to your social security number, it is a unique and specific identification of a car.The VIN is often stamped on the driver’s side door jamb and various body and frame parts. It’s also on your registration card and owner’s manual.

If you sell the vehicle

VIN numbers are 17 characters that are standardized and used to identify a particular vehicle. They are also used to verify the identity of the vehicle owner and its ownership.

You can be charged with a California crime if you alter, deface, destroy, or tamper with a VIN. If you do so for a reason other than to hide the identity of a stolen car, you may be charged with VC 10802, a misdemeanor offense.If you are convicted, you face a prison term of up to one year and/or a fine of up to $1,000.

This statute also applies to chop shops, who dismantle stolen vehicles and sell their auto parts. These experts sometimes tamper with VINs to make it hard for the police to track stolen cars.

If you buy the vehicle

If you buy a vehicle and the clean vin usa has been altered or removed, you may be charged with a crime. This is known as VC 10802.According to VC 10802, you are guilty of removing or altering the VIN number with the intent to misrepresent the identity of the vehicle or car part so that it can be sold or transferred.

This is a wobbler crime, meaning you can face either misdemeanor or felony charges depending on the circumstances of the incident.

For example, if you buy a Ford Mustang that is being dismantled by chop shops and the VIN number has been scratched off, you could be charged with this crime.

This is a big problem for both insurance companies and the law. It costs money to replace stolen auto parts, but if the vehicle identification number has been tampered with, the insurance company may be at a loss as to who it belongs to.

If you import the vehicle

In California, removing or altering the VIN number on your vehicle is illegal. If you do so, you face a criminal charge under VC 10750.This law applies to anyone who intentionally changes, removes or alters the vehicle identification number on a car or its parts without first obtaining permission from the DMV. This includes anyone who attempts to add a new VIN on a used car, truck or trailer and anyone who tries to replace an old VIN with a new one.

You also violate this statute if you buy or possess more than one vehicle or auto part that has an altered VIN with the intent to sell it. If you are convicted, you will receive either a misdemeanor or felony charge depending on the circumstances.However, the law does not apply to scrap yard operators who process vehicles and auto parts for recycling. These businesses legally crush or compact vehicles and auto parts for recycling purposes, but they do not remove the VIN during the processing.

If you drive the vehicle

A VIN is a 17-character number that identifies each vehicle. It was first standardized in 1981 and has been used on most motor vehicles since then.

Having a VIN number is essential for tracking the history of your car. The number helps law enforcement officers identify stolen vehicles and also helps insurance companies track their claims.The law against removing or altering a VIN can be very serious. It is a misdemeanor under VC 10750 and may result in jail time.

However, if you remove or alter the VIN to prevent the identity of the vehicle with the intent to sell, transfer ownership, or import or export it, you could be charged with a felony under VC 10802 and face a much higher penalty.If you are facing criminal charges for removing or altering your VIN, contact an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. Our aggressive attorneys can help you avoid jail time and other severe penalties.