New DVLA system uncovers over 130 suspected cloned cars - CEO

Julius Neequaye Kotey, CEO of the DVLA, stated in an exclusive interview on JoyNews' The Pulse on Friday, July 24, that the newly introduced vehicle inspection technology has led to the detection and seizure of more than 130 vehicles suspected to have been cloned or linked to duty evasion. He explained that the digital transformation programme is a series of initiatives designed to modernise DVLA operations, with one key intervention being the introduction of cloning detection machines. These machines enable the authority to verify the authenticity of vehicle chassis numbers and trace vehicle history before registration.

Mr. Kotey further explained that the machines can identify altered or duplicated chassis numbers and provide information on a vehicle's history, including accident involvement. He quoted, "The machine now gives us the history of the chassis number from the manufacturer to date. Whether the car has been involved in an accident or not, it gives us all these." He noted that some individuals have exploited gaps in the vehicle registration system by using forged or copied customs documents to register vehicles that have not fulfilled their tax obligations, sometimes collaborating with individuals within the system to obtain copies of customs documents to clone chassis numbers of vehicles that have not paid duties.