Do police track stolen cars?

Asked by: Leon Gislason  |  Last update: August 24, 2025
Score: 5/5 (66 votes)

When a car is reported as stolen, the police will request the vehicle's make, model, and license plate number. It's flagged to local patrol cars and surveillance cameras for them to spot if it passes by.

Do police normally find stolen cars?

More than 85 percent of stolen vehicles are eventually recovered. Once you've provided information to the police, they can create a report. Make sure to get a copy of the police report as you'll need the info for the next step.

How long does it take for the police to find a stolen car?

If you report your car as stolen immediately to police, there's a better chance it will be recovered. In fact, according to NICB data, 35% of recovered stolen vehicles are recovered on the same day as the theft, and 45% are recovered within two days.

What happens if they can't find my stolen car?

If the car is not found within 30 days, the insurance company will usually decide it's a total loss and pay you the actual cash value.

What are the odds of getting a stolen car back?

According to Progressive Insurance's report, the US average rate for car theft recovery is 46%, but the rate varies greatly among states. For example, the stolen car recovery rate in Washington was 71%, in Utah was 63%, but only 28% in Alabama. All in all, the chance of finding a stolen car is quite high.

New Technology Helps Find Stolen Car

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Can police track my stolen car?

The Police Tracking Computer provides the police officer, via the dispatcher, all pertinent information about the stolen vehicle. The LoJack monitor installed in patrol cars has a strength indicator that tells the officer if he is within one mile of the stolen vehicle, allowing time for back-up help to be called.

Where do stolen cars usually end up?

According to the FBI, a car is stolen in the U.S. about once every 40 seconds. Many of them end up at ports like the Port of Baltimore, where they are put on cargo ships headed to West Africa.

What happens if they never find your car?

If your lender can't locate your vehicle to do a "self-help" repossession, they can still sue you for the vehicle. This will involve a small claims case, where the judge will order you to give the car to the lender. You might even be compelled to Court to provide testimony about the location of the vehicle.

How are most stolen cars found?

Police Notification: The police are generally the ones who locate and recover stolen vehicles. They will contact you to inform you that your car has been found. The condition of your car when it's found can vary.

What time of day are most cars stolen?

Car thieves tend to steer clear of highly-visible areas, especially if there are security cameras or nosy neighbors around. This is especially important at night between 2 and 5 a.m. Since most people are asleep, that's the most common time for cars to be stolen.

Can a dealership track a stolen car?

GPS tracking devices allow dealerships to monitor these vehicles, ensuring they know where each asset is at all times. In cases where vehicles are stolen, dealerships can rapidly recover them thanks to SVR (Stolen Vehicle Recovery) systems.

How do police track cars?

' The GPS receivers used by police departments transmit their location data back to investigators. Investigators can monitor the movements of a suspect vehicle in real-time, or save the vehicle's movement history for review later.

How to check if a stolen car has been found?

NICB's VINCheck is a free lookup service provided to the public to assist in determining if a vehicle may have a record of an insurance theft claim, and has not been recovered, or has ever been reported as a salvage vehicle by participating NICB member insurance companies.

Does insurance cover a stolen car?

Car Theft Insurance: When Am I Entitled to Coverage? Downey drivers whose cars are stolen in Califonia will have car theft insurance if they have comprehensive coverage. That should cover you up to the Actual Cash Value (ACV) of your vehicle. If your car is damaged due to a break-in, you'll also be covered.

What happens if your car is stolen and never found?

Stolen vehicles are protected by comprehensive coverage

If someone steals your vehicle and it's not recovered, your insurer will cut you a check for your car's current value if you have comprehensive coverage. This may be true even if the car was stolen with the keys in it.

What is the #1 place for stolen cars?

#1: Bakersfield, CA

Even in 2021, Bakersfield still places first in national car theft.

Can police search a stolen vehicle?

While police cannot stop and impound a vehicle simply to conduct a search, they can legally search impounded vehicles. This can include a situation as seemingly minor as having your car towed for illegal parking. Law enforcement can also search stolen vehicles that have been recovered.

Do car thieves ever get caught?

Police solve only a fraction of cases

A CBS News analysis of police data from more than a dozen U.S. cities found nearly all of car theft cases go unsolved.

How to track your car if stolen?

Steps on How to Track and Recover a Stolen Car
  1. Confirm the Theft. ...
  2. Ask Around. ...
  3. Report to the Police. ...
  4. Leverage VIN Tracking. ...
  5. Check Nearby Security Cameras. ...
  6. Utilise GPS and Bluetooth Tracking. ...
  7. Engage the Community. ...
  8. Monitor Online Marketplaces.

How do police recover stolen cars?

GPS tracking technology is one of the most common methods of recovering stolen vehicles. Many vehicles have GPS systems that allow the owner to track the location of their vehicle in real-time. However, In some cases, an eyewitness can tip off the police.

How much value does a stolen car lose?

The car's next title will be referred to as a salvage title, even if the car is in perfect condition. Previously stolen cars with a salvage title can lose anywhere from 20% to 40% of their original value.