Car buyers warned of cloning danger

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Thousands of unsuspecting car buyers could be at risk of being duped by criminals who pass off stolen vehicles as legitimate motors using stolen registration documents.

Many "cloned" cars are still being sold illegally to genuine buyers who stand to lose their vehicle and their money when the crime is detected with no protection from car insurance policies.

Those on the lookout for a new vehicle are being warned to take extra care at the start of car crime awareness week, which is being run by the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) and by car-buying assistance organisation CarEnquiry.co.uk.

As many as 1,300 cloned vehicles, worth more than 13 million pounds, have been recovered since 2006, according to Acpo. However, it is feared the cloned-vehicle problem could extend much further than this, as more than 100,000 stolen registration documents are still in circulation.

Paul Boddington, founder of CarEnquiry.co.uk, said: "Buyers are at greater risk from cloned cars than ever before and it's clear those cars recovered are just the tip of the iceberg.

"Today, it really is 'buyer beware', with established dealers the best way to stay safe." AA president Edmund King said: "Car buying is fraught with pitfalls, from rogue traders to car cloning and forged documents. It always pays to shop with your head, not your heart, and deal only with those who can deliver you genuine cars, from accredited dealers."

Copyright © Press Association 2010

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