VIN and DOJ

[Challenger RTA]

Criminal Resource Manual
CRM 1000-1499

1364. Altering Or Removing Motor Vehicle Identification Numbers​

Section 511(a) of Title 18 makes it a felony knowingly to remove, obliterate, tamper with, or alter an identification number for a road motor vehicle or a road motor vehicle part. Section 511(b) of Title 18 creates exceptions for certain persons who engage in lawful conduct that may result in removal or alteration of an identification number. The legislative history is abundantly clear that subsection (b) is not intended to create a loophole for the operators of "chop shops." See H.R.Rep. No. 1087 on H.R. 6257, 98th Congress, 2d Sess. 23-25 (1984).

Section 511(c) of Title 18 contains the definitions for "identification number," "motor vehicle," "motor vehicle demolisher," and "motor vehicle scrap processor." The term "identification number" means a number or symbol that is inscribed or affixed for purposes of identification under chapter 301 and Part C of subtitle VI of Title 49.

Title 49, Chapter 301 authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to promulgate motor vehicle safety standards. Pursuant to this authority, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 115-Vehicle Identification Number (49 C.F.R. §§ 571.115 and 565.1 to 565.5) requires public VIN numbers on road vehicles (passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, buses, trailers, and motorcycles). Part C of subtitle VI of Title 49 (49 U.S.C. § 33101 et seq.) authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to promulgate theft prevention (parts marking) standards. The parts marking regulations are set forth in 49 C.F.R. Part 541. The mandatory component identification requirement applies to certain high theft passenger car lines starting with model year 1987. In 1995, the theft prevention (parts marking) standard was expanded to include certain multipurpose passenger vehicles and certain non high theft lines beginning with model year 1997.

For a discussion of proving violations of 18 U.S.C. § 511, see this Manual at 1376.

[cited in JM 9-61.700]

 

[Challenger RTA]

Criminal Resource Manual
CRM 1000-1499

1376. Proving Violations Of 18 U.S.C. 2321​

Section 2321 of Title 18 is a trafficking offense. The previous discussion relating to proving violations of 18 U.S.C. § 511 should be consulted. See this Manual at 1375. In the indictment for 18 U.S.C. § 2321 you may wish to use the false or altered VIN actually on the motor vehicle in order to help specify the motor vehicle which is the subject matter of the charge.

To establish a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2321 the government must establish that: (1) the defendant acquired or possessed a road motor vehicle or component on which the vehicle identification number (VIN) or component identification number (after the component standard becomes effective) had been removed, obliterated, tampered with, or altered; (2) the identification number was one required by the United States Department of Transportation; (3) such removal, obliteration, tampering with, or alteration was done unlawfully; (4) the defendant was aware of the unlawful removal, obliteration, tampering with, or alteration; and (5) defendant had an intent to sell or otherwise dispose of the motor vehicle (or component part).

In most cases proof of the defendant's awareness of the stolen nature of the motor vehicle (or component) will satisfy the knowledge requirements. Also, the presence on the defendant's premises of several vehicles or numerous components lacking the proper numbers should help satisfy the knowledge and intent requirements.

[updated May 1999] [cited in Criminal Resource Manual 1364; Criminal Resource Manual 1366; Criminal Resource Manual 1377; JM 9-61.700]

 

[Challenger RTA]

The above implies nothing about repairing, restoring, rebodying.
But the law might intrepid it different.

The below Stiction Is interpaled by some others that see a gray area.

Section 511(b) of Title 18 creates exceptions for certain persons who engage in lawful conduct that may result in removal or alteration of an identification number. The legislative history is abundantly clear that subsection (b) is not intended to create a loophole for the operators of "chop shops." See H.R.Rep. No. 1087 on H.R. 6257, 98th Congress, 2d Sess. 23-25 (1984).

There was a shipmate I knew from NJ and his name was Vinny. He was short. Term short meaning enlisted time was about up. Vinny had a body shop. Vinny explained to me that the shop can be randomly inspected let alone scheduled inspections. A plain clothed NJ State Tropper would do the inspection. Had to produce titles for the cars that were in the shops possession as parts or a document of ownership of car in for repair. He exclaimed this took time that he didn't have. Just took away from being productive. He never worked in the gray area. He was always on the up and up.


I know from not experience but being informed. That is if a car is damaged. Not stating the percent of damage or value of car. Because I don't know. Lets say the dash is damaged by fire and the dash vin tag is unrecognizable. Depending how the tag is affixed. I know at that point if the dash is repaired or replaced. There has to be an application prosses for a replacement. The state the car is titled in provides a new vin tag and a new vin number by federal law. State by State might be different. State might have the option to grant or deny a new vin. There nothing stated about data plate or fender tags or other. It's about alter the VIN.

If you have worked on any of your cars or others say from 2000 and up. You would have taken notice to the tags on the different body components with the vin #. A body shop now has to present a receipt for that part. That is if it's going thought a reconstruing prosses. An induvial just buys the part and puts it on and done. The tags at first glance reminded me a on RF tag. I wonder if they are or will be.
Here in PA there is an RF tag in the inspection sticker, if you are with in a 15' range of a State police car that is so equipped. If the inspection sticker is expired that unit is notified. With all of the information, make, model, plate, not sure about owner's info. Not sure about range. $$$$

There were two Uncles that were in the salvage and reconstruction business in the mid 70s.
They put a Gremlin on a Jeep frame and got it titled. Now two or more of their sons run it.

 

[Challenger RTA]

So grab beer with me and “bear with me,” Be Patience with me as I put a log on the fire. Metaphorically speaking!
How Insurance Companies Determine if a Car is a Total Loss
Before deciding if the car is a total loss, insurance companies find out how much it would cost to make the repairs. The usual threshold is 70-75%. If the cost gets to this percentage of the value of the car, insurance companies consider the car a total loss.
Factors That Influence the Value of a Totaled Car The Type of Car. The depreciation of the car plays a critical role in the compensation you will receive from the insurance company. Luxury and classic cars receive different cover compared to average cars since their depreciation varies.
I know a Business man and friend. He was working for an
Progressive Insurance as a claim estimator. He cleared up things for me. He also worked for FEMA why back when. He implied it was a pathetic joke. But that's a mute point now. Just drawled on his experience.

The Age of the Vehicle. This is the easiest way for insurance companies to determine the value of the car after it has been totaled. There are several agencies you can approach to get an estimated value of your car should you suffer a total loss today.
The Condition of the Car. This is why the maintenance of your car is critical. Insurance companies do not carry out a superficial analysis of your car. They also consider the condition of the car at the time of the accident. If the car is in poor condition, the value of the car will be much lower. With the car having been maintained and the cars over all condition is in better condition. Then the cars value is higher. They apply a term called betterment. That takes all the attributes of the cars into condition.

The Cause of the Accident. If you were responsible, wholly or partially, for the accident. insurance companies will take this into consideration when calculating how much you will receive as compensation. If you have a sentimental attachment to your car, it may be difficult to accept the decision to declare it totaled. However, several factors influence the conclusion of the insurance company. Your car may not be repaired to be safe enough to drive. This is a priority for the insurance company. Just because the car can be fixed does not mean it will be safe for the road. In this case, the insurance company may opt to consider the car a salvage vehicle. The value of your car is lower than the cost of repairs.

Now that all being said. Pay no attention to it. Personal preference and sentimental attachment play a bigger role in rebuilding a car. whether it's a first car or a high dollar car. Dollars don't matter. So at what point do you call it reconstruction, repair ,rebuilding or rebodied. You take you slightly damaged car to a body shop they repair it with new used or repaired parts. It's just not original. You take you car to the body shop and rebuild it with NOS parts. It's just not original. You take car to get fixed that has a salvage certificate. you end up with an Rebuild title. If you have a good title and documentation and it's ratty car their is nothing to say that you can't repair it with new or used or doner parts. As Restoration Garage, Grave yard cars, Overhaulin and others. some may go beyond original manufacturing spec " Hot Rod" and need reconstruction title. IT'S Only original once! It's just your good fortune to have everything to recreate a piece of art. It's the Semantic. choose you phase correctly. So I hear you have a Hemi Cuda Challenger or other no drivetrain, fender tag dash vin and clean title. What's worth? What you put into it. Maybe! What ever it sells for. IT'S Only original once.

Now the right to repair. That's a different matter.