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Window etching & parts marking
Window etching & parts marking basics
Window etching and parts marking are well-established theft deterrents. They are not approved products by Thatcham, however, they are still highly recommended car security devices. We should mention here that our parent company is called Silent Security which offers the SecureMark vehicle security package, a premium window etching product.
Both methods are very useful in combating cloning, which is when a stolen or damaged car's identity is hidden by taking the identity of a similar car. This is done by changing the registration number or VIN plates of the vehicle.
Window security marking or etching
Window etching involves marking car windows and headlights with the VIN or Registration number using an acid. This makes the car's ownership easy to confirm and if the thieft wanted to sell the car, they would have to replace all windows which would be time consuming and expensive.
Some systems include a 24 hour confirmation service where the public and police can call to confirm a vehicle's ownership as well. Silent Security guarantees their system will prevent theft or else you get £1,000 back.
Parts marking
Parts marking involves marking various areas of a car with either the VIN, registration number or a unique, traceable number. Cars may be marked on the engine, on the car's bodyby the driver's seat, on the inside of the driver's door and on the windows as mentioned above.
One of the more popular methods of parts marking is dot marking. This is where tiny dots with a unique number are sprayed on the vehicle. They are invisible to the naked eye but can be read easily using a magnifiying glass or black light. They are typically linked to a database where the car's details are stored and can be easily confirmed.
Jargon buster
You may come across the following jargon or terms when looking for parts marking.
Use the quick links below to navigate to the letter you need more quickly:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
C
Cloning
A clone describes a stolen or damaged vehicle which has taken the identity of a legitimate vehicle of the same make. This means there are two cars on the road with the same identity.
Clocked
A vehicle is said to be “clocked” if it has had its mileage tampered with by turning back or replacing the odometer in order to increase the value of the vehicle.
Cut 'n' shut
Cut ‘n’ shut describes a vehicle that is made up of two cars, possibly welded together, that are usually both ‘write-offs’. You should always make sure that all VIN's on the vehicle match.
D
DVLA
(D)river and (V)ehicle (L)icensing (A)gency - government agency responsible for all things to do with driving/licensing in UK, Scotland and Wales.
DVLNI
(D)river and (V)ehicle (L)icensing (N)orthern (I)reland - government agency responsible for all things to do with driving/licensing in Northern Ireland.
E
Export
A vehicle that has been exported should not be on sale in the UK. You should only purchase the vehicle if you are convinced that the current V5C is dated after the vehicle was exported.
I
Import
A vehicle is said to be "imported" if it has arrived in the UK via unofficial channels rather than through the official manufacturer channels.
There are 3 main categories of import:
Parallel imports - are vehicles that were manufactured for other European markets.
Personal Imports - are vehicles ordered from dealers inside the EU.
Grey Imports - were intended for markets outside of the EU.
M
MOT Certificate
Shows that a vehicle has passed an annual roadworthiness check. It is compulsory for any car over three years old, without it, you may not be covered by your insurer.
O
Outstanding Finance
If there is finance outstanding on the vehicle (such as a loan or hire
purchase agreement), the company referred to in the finance agreeenment
will be the legal owner of the vehicle. The agreement will need to be settled
before you purchase the vehicle - therefore, make sure you do a background
check on the vehicle, otherwise, you could be liable for outstanding
finance.
P
Parallel imports
See imports.
Personal imports
See imports.
Plate Transfer
People can legally change the registration plate in order to personalise their car but they may also change the plate illegally in order to disguise the vehicle’s history.
Q
Q Plate
A Q Plate is literally a VRM (Vehicle Registration Mark) which starts with a Q prefix. The use of this plate indicates one of two things: a car which was not originally registered in the UK and for which proof of age was unavailable at registration, or a car which has been built using a significant proportion of used parts. It is perfectly normal for a kit car to have a Q registration but, on other cars, it suggests that their full history may be difficult to trace.
R
Ringing
Ringing describes the practice of illegally changing a vehicle's true identity. The VRM (Vehicle Registration Mark) of a donor vehicle - often one that has been classified as a "write-off" - is used to disguise another vehicle's true identity. In many cases the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is also stolen from the donor vehicle making it very difficult to detect the crime. However, you should always check that ALL the VIN's match.
V
V5
The V5/log book or vehicle registration document, is issued by the DVLA or DVLNI. It provides the name and address of a vehicle's current and previous registered keepers as well as the total number of previous keepers. It also lists the vehicle's details including colour, make, model, engine number and VIN. Since the DVLA's campaign encouraging buyers to examine logbooks carefully before handing over any money, vehicle documents are rapidly becoming a target for thieves. This is due to the fact that they will find it harder to sell the vehicle without the V5. Every vehicle should now have a V5C - the new style DVLA/DVLNI Vehicle Registration Document.
VIN
(V)ehicle (I)dentification (N)umber this is typically a 17 digit ID, comprising of letters and numbers, stamped on to the vehicle's chassis by the manufacturer. Most VIN's can be found under the bonnet, but may also be found under the carpet by the driver's seat and often etched onto the windows.
VRM
(V)ehicle (R)egistration (M)ark, or number plate.
W
Write-off
A car is deemed to be a "write-off" if it has been declared a total loss by an insurer, usually after an accident or if it has been stolen or subsequently damaged. Many written off vehicles are allowed back onto the road following repair and an independent inspection to discern road worthiness. However almost 50% of write-offs should not go back on the road again.
Write-offs are categorised by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) as follows:
Category A and B write off: A vehicle which is considered beyond repair and should never reappear on the road.
Category C write off: A vehicle that is considered to be repairable but the repair costs exceed the vehicle's pre-accident value. These vehicles are considered roadworthy once they have passed a Thatcham-approved structural examination.
Category D write off: A vehicle whose repairs do not exceed its pre-accident value. These vehicles are considered roadworthy once they have passed a Thatcham-approved structural examination.
Another category of write-off indicates that a vehicle has been reported as stlen by an insurance company.
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