**Car Cloning Surges Across UK: Most Targeted Vehicles Revealed Amid Mounting Crime Wave**
Car cloning has become a fast-growing concern for motorists in the United Kingdom, as recent figures reveal more than 50,000 drivers have been ensnared by this sophisticated form of vehicle crime. Numbers from industry analysts indicate a staggering 41% rise in incidents over the last five years, signalling a troubling trend that shows no signs of abating.
The crime of car cloning involves criminals stealing or duplicating the registration plates of other vehicles, typically targeting cars that closely resemble their own illicit vehicles in make and model. This deception enables offenders to use the cloned vehicle for a range of unlawful activities—including evading fuel payments, breaching tolls, and even absconding after traffic collisions—all while the innocent owner of the original vehicle is left to bear the brunt of resulting fines and legal notices.
Many victims remain completely unaware their registration details have been compromised until they are confronted with unexpected correspondence from police or authorities. Frequently, motorists only learn about the crime when fines land on their doormat, or when they find themselves embroiled in bureaucratic disputes they never saw coming.
Car buying firm BigWantsYourCar.com, which has experience supporting affected drivers, has highlighted the growing distress caused by this crime. According to a spokesperson from the platform, cases have occurred where individuals selling a car are suddenly faced with a barrage of insurance complications and penalty notices, all triggered by someone else illegally copying their number plate. The spokesperson said, “Car cloning is quickly becoming one of the most upsetting threats faced by regular drivers. We think regulatory bodies should take a closer look at how number plates are issued and tracked in order to counteract the problem.”
Experts at the company note that while there are regulations around number plate sales—such as requirements to check identification and logbook information—enforcement leaves much to be desired. Disreputable suppliers are still able to operate, largely unmonitored, facilitating criminal access to fake or cloned plates.
The issue appears particularly acute among owners of highly desirable car models. According to the valuation team at BigWantsYourCar.com, brands such as BMW, Volkswagen, and Mercedes are favoured targets because their high numbers on Britain’s roads allow cloned versions to blend in seamlessly. “We recommend that drivers of popular models—like the BMW 3 Series, VW Golf, or Mercedes GLA—exercise extra caution. These vehicles are prime targets due to their prevalence, making it harder for cloned cars to stand out to authorities,” they warn.
For both buyers and sellers of used cars, industry insiders urge a vigilant approach. Potential warning signals may include odd-looking registration plate screws, inconsistencies in the logbook or registration history, or receiving traffic penalties that do not match the vehicle’s whereabouts. Experts stress the value of conducting thorough due diligence during every transaction, double-checking that official documents align and seeking advice if anything appears amiss.
With criminals exploiting systemic loopholes, drivers are being encouraged to take simple preventive steps where possible. These include immediately reporting any lost or stolen plates, installing anti-theft screws, frequently checking their vehicle’s record on the DVLA website, and maintaining a log of all fines or regulatory letters—especially ones that seem out of place.
BigWantsYourCar.com also points out the wider impact: “The real agony comes from how quickly things can spiral out of control after cloning. An innocent driver can suddenly be flooded by police letters, insurance disputes, or even bans from petrol stations for incidents they never committed.”
With car cloning on the rise, the company is urging relevant authorities to enforce stricter penalties on rogue number plate dealers and consider introducing advanced digital identification systems for vehicles. In the meantime, they argue, the onus remains on drivers to stay alert—until legislation and enforcement can close the existing gaps that criminals currently exploit.
As the issue escalates, calls for reform are growing among motoring groups and consumers alike, all united in the view that lawful, unsuspecting car owners should not pay the price for criminal ingenuity.