Checking it out
Steve,
Took this from the BBC website. Hope it helps.If you believe that your car could be at risk:
Take it to the nearest appropriate dealer along with the V5 registration document, and for a fee of £25 (plus VAT), they'll check your car's VIN number against their database in Japan. Please do not ring the police or manufacturers at this stage, as your car must be examined first. If you do ring either of them you will only be referred back to the web site or watchdog help line.
The result of the inspection will then be sent to you, the registered keeper, and a copy of the inspection result will also be sent to the police responsible for the area where the registered keeper lives.
If your car's details agree with the manufacturer's Japanese data, then you have the option of contacting the police (ask for your local Stolen Vehicle Squad), to have your car checked against an outstanding international stolen vehicle database. It is essential that your vehicle is examined by a dealer first, otherwise the you may be asking the police to check the wrong V.I.N. number.
If the details do not agree with the manufacturer's Japanese data, then you have the option of taking your car to the police to have the VIN plate and chassis number examined to see if it may have been tampered with. The police should be able to tell you if your car has been stolen, and may then be able to trace the original owner in Japan. If they can confirm that your car has been stolen and also establish the identity of the original owner, then there is a risk you may have your car seized and possibly sold. You should seek advice from your solicitor.
If the details don't agree with the Japanese manufacturer's data on year of build, it could be that your car hasn't been stolen, but simply had its year changed to make it appear newer than it is. You should contact the seller and threaten legal proceedings for misrepresentation, but also contact the DVLA who will supply the correct registration mark for the car's true year of manufacture.
To contact the DVLA please call 0870 2400 010
or write to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AR