Can a Cloned Vehicle Be Retrieved After Being Impounded?
3 Answers
Yes. For a cloned vehicle, the traffic management department of the public security bureau will confiscate the license plate, impound the vehicle, and impose a fine. Introduction to Cloned Vehicles: A cloned vehicle refers to a vehicle where criminals forge and illegally obtain the license plate, model, and color of a genuine vehicle, thereby giving a "legal" appearance to smuggled, assembled, scrapped, or stolen vehicles. Cloned vehicles are also known as "copycat vehicles," abbreviated as "cloning." Cloning involves labeling and has been strictly prohibited by the state. On August 20, 2012, the Ministry of Public Security clearly stipulated that vehicles confirmed to be cloned can have traffic violation records incurred during the cloning period revoked, and they may apply for new license plates and vehicle registration certificates. Hazards of Cloned Vehicles: Cloned vehicles disrupt public security control by authorities and create social instability. They not only severely interfere with proper road traffic order but also increase the likelihood of traffic accidents. Since cloned vehicles lack legal documentation and insurance, drivers are more likely to flee the scene in the event of an accident, significantly complicating case resolution. Even if cases are solved, the high costs of medical expenses and vehicle damage compensation are often unaffordable for owners and drivers, seriously endangering social stability and the safety of people's lives and property. More critically, cloned vehicles serve as tools for criminal activities. In recent years, high-profile cases of robbery and theft, especially on highways, often involve cloned vehicles, posing severe threats to social harmony and the safety of people's lives and property.
I've been driving for twenty years and have a clear understanding of traffic laws. If a cloned vehicle is impounded, it generally cannot be retrieved under any circumstances. This is because using cloned plates itself is illegal—employing fake or stolen license plates to evade taxes or insurance fraud harms the interests of genuine vehicle owners and disrupts social order. Once traffic authorities confirm it's a cloned vehicle, they typically confiscate it directly, possibly auctioning it off or mandating scrapping. The owner may also face fines ranging from thousands to tens of thousands of yuan, or even criminal charges. I've seen many cases where friends' impounded vehicles couldn't be recovered even after months of effort, resulting in heavy losses. Therefore, when buying a used car, always check the vehicle's records—don't court big trouble for small savings. Driving legally is the only right path. While cloned plates might seem cost-effective, the risk of getting caught is extremely high. Once the car is impounded, don't hold out hope.
Last month, my neighbor’s cloned car was seized by traffic police, and he was frantic. What happened next? The police said it was an illegal operation, and the car was directly disposed of. He tried to pull strings through connections, but it was impossible—even after paying the fine, he couldn’t get the car back. Since then, I’ve reminded everyone to drive legally, as the risks of using cloned plates are too high. Once caught, you lose the car, and it may even affect your personal credit or lead to legal consequences. Remember to verify the authenticity of license plates when buying a car, and don’t easily fall for sweet talk from middlemen. Safe travel is the priority—if the car gets impounded, just let it go and start fresh with a legitimate one.
