Car cloning

[russ92xmsed]

I have strong reason to believe my XM has been cloned.

I got a letter today from Ireland requesting I pay for the tolls on the M50 I apparently used back in May. Slight issue... never been to Ireland. Ever.

The photo on the letter as proof it was me, is of a mk1 Xm with my number plate. But it is dark grey with what looks like plenty of lacquer peel!

So far I have notified the company who sent the demand and explained everything. Next DVLA and police. That is if it isn't a scam.



Anyone had a dark grey XM stolen this year?

[MTXM]

Gosh Russ that is quite spooky and I hope you get the matter resolved swiftly! With regards, Matthew T.

[Dean]

Car tax is rather high for older vehicles in Ireland and new higher tax rates are applied retrospectively there i believe, of course here VED rate changes only apply to new vehicles registered from the date the rate changes. With older bangers being so expensive to tax some may clone a plate to use their car, the guards are unlikely to stop an English reg in Ireland.
This shouldn't present you with any problems other than saying it wasn't me! But I would think it could cause issues if it happened local to you.
Your Reg will have been seen on the forum no doubt or more likely a image on google or similar.

D

[russ92xmsed]

Exactly Dean. You try to be careful, but if photos are taken at rallies, or even when the car is parked in the road, it has been known, they end up online one way or another.

That's a very good point you make about the Irish VED and what they might be doing.

I have reported it to the Police and DVLA. The trouble is getting the message across to the fine issuers.

One thing I did think of ,although it probably is insignificant going on what you have explained Dean, my car has been on sorn for two months now, so if he tries to drive it on uk soil he might be caught red handed by an ANPR patrol car. But then I get any automatic fines through the post if it's just a camera. Still it is easy to prove my car is my car. Very unfair this.

Wonder who the blighter is. Not many mk1 XM's in Ireland surely.

[Dean]

I saw a lovely dark grey one when i was there down around Cork a few weeks back.
I would guess they have ditched the reg by now and moved on to using another UK XM plate...................if they were smart.

Are you sure your car hasn't been taken out 'Fred flintstone style' without your permission?

D

[raynoon]

Wow that is scary stuff! Hope you get it sorted Russ. Perhaps a call to the irish Police too, letting them know what's happened?

[russ92xmsed]

I saw a lovely dark grey one when i was there down around Cork a few weeks back.
I would guess they have ditched the reg by now and moved on to using another UK XM plate...................if they were smart.

Are you sure your car hasn't been taken out 'Fred flintstone style' without your permission?

D

I did rush up to the garage and check. It's still very much there!
That would have been some going, they were snapped in the fast lane!
Everyone hide your XM numberplates.....

Wow that is scary stuff! Hope you get it sorted Russ. Perhaps a call to the irish Police too, letting them know what's happened?

I thought of that too Ray. I shall do it.

[Dean]

To be honest i doubt the Guards will care or be able to do anything about it. If they want to fine you then let them chase it, it wasn't your car and it could not have been your car.

I am still a little surprised someone would clone an XM, it's not exactly about in Mazda 2 / ford Focus numbers is it!

D

[russ92xmsed]

It is a strange car to clone, agree there. Damn. Cheeky too.

I have sent the Irish police an email. So if they take notice, then great. If not, then fine. Don't say I didn't try!

[russ92xmsed]

I have had a response from the Irish police and they are looking into it. I had to supply some proof it wasn't my car.
I don't expect to hear much more about this, but at least they now know.