Somebody selling my wrecked model 3 VIN in a different car

[drsnooker]

Something shady is going on.
The insurance agency totaled my old model 3. I have been spying on it. Today it showed up in Miami (I'm in Houston)
I can even remote connect to it and everything....

Turns out some auto dealer has it for sale:
2018 Tesla Model 3 / Autopilot Motors Trust | Auto dealership in Miami

But since mine was a white interior this has to be a different car, with my VIN (and computer) in it.
Either way, please don't buy this model 3 VIN: 5YJ3E1EA8JF155257

Or if somebody is in Miami and wants to play detective, check to see if they changed the VIN under the window as well.
GPS location 25.863376,-80.242796

 

[nvx1977]

what insurance company?

 

[RobDickinson]

How was your car wrecked?

Potentially they have moved the computers/battery to a new shell (or one that had a wrecked battery) etc

 

[Kenz]

Notify your insurance company.

 

[drsnooker]

It was progressive. I hydroplaned and hit a concrete barrier. It was sold at auction for 20k in Rosharron.

Tesla Model 3 2018 Purple U vin: 5YJ3E1EA8JF155257 free car history

 

[MichaelP90DL]

Well this is sure gonna be interesting! Keep us all up to date on developments, please.

 

[drsnooker]

I've contacted Tesla and progressive. We'll see what happens.... I'll keep you guys updated.

 

[Ryefry]

If you can remote connect to it you should have some fun with it. Call them and pretend to be interested and while on the phone vent the windows, flash the lights, honk the horn, pop the frunk and trunk.

 

[Candleflame]

i dont get the issue. you totalled the model 3, it got sold, someone restored it. whats the issue?

 

[simplego]

Something shady is going on.
The insurance agency totaled my old model 3. I have been spying on it. Today it showed up in Miami (I'm in Houston)
I can even remote connect to it and everything....

Turns out some auto dealer has it for sale:
2018 Tesla Model 3 / Autopilot Motors Trust | Auto dealership in Miami

But since mine was a white interior this has to be a different car, with my VIN (and computer) in it.
Either way, please don't buy this model 3 VIN: 5YJ3E1EA8JF155257

Or if somebody is in Miami and wants to play detective, check to see if they changed the VIN under the window as well.
GPS location 25.863376,-80.242796

There’s a really good chance that your model 3 was bought by someone who repairs salvaged vehicles. Since you had the nicer interior they likely swapped it into a different car, repaired this one and is now selling it.

 

[sduck]

I think once it's sold at auction, anyone can buy it, refurb it, and resell it with the same VIN. Eventually they'll disconnect you, presumably when the buyer registers it with Tesla so that they'll be able to connect to it. It would probably have to have a salvage title I think though, which maybe they don't have to disclose in the ad - not really sure about this, it may vary from state to state.

(edit: 2 other people typing essentially the same thing while I was)

 

[Xenoilphobe]

I would report it to Miami-Dade County Regulatory and Economic Resources Department as they claim all their cars have "clean" titles. Also it's a third degree Felony to sell a vehicle without disclosure.
Website: Miami-Dade County Regulatory and Economic Resources Department
Email: [email protected]
Phone Number: 786-469-2333

Miami Branch - Office of the Attorney General
Website: Miami Branch - Office of the Attorney General
Phone Number: 305-377-5835
Toll Free: 1-866-966-7226

Florida Rebuilt Title Laws
Rebuilt title in FL is issued to extensively damaged cars (salvage cars) that were restored to a roadworthy condition. Only such vehicles can be legally used on the roads or get insurance in Florida. Such vehicles get a stamp “the vehicle has been rebuilt or assembled from parts, or is a kit car, glider kit, replica, or flood vehicle” on their certificate of title. In addition, a decal stating that the vehicle has a rebuilt status will also be placed on a visible location on a vehicle. It is illegal to sell a repaired total loss vehicle without obtaining a salvage title first. In Florida, the vehicle title is required to attest your ownership and do any essential action to a vehicle, like selling or insuring. Under Florida rebuilt law, a salvage title is issued to damaged vehicles with estimated repair costs 80 percent of its market value immediately before the damage (while it’s 70 or 75 percent in most other states). As a consequence, a rebuilt title motor vehicle in Florida may have suffered more serious damage than in other states.

How To Register A Rebuilt Vehicle in Fl
Obtaining a rebuilt title in Florida is a must is you want to legally drive the vehicle. The process of titling a rebuilt vehicle is much like in other states:

• Salvage title or Certificate Of Destruction (to assert the ownership)
• Florida Title application form
• Pass a mandatory inspection at the DMV. The major purpose is to check the identity of the vehicle and the parts used and make sure it conforms to mechanical standards. Be ready to provide receipts for repair works and replacement parts used in the reconstruction.
• Pay all the necessary fees. The basic title fees are $77.25 for vehicles titled in Florida and $85.25 for those previously registered in another state or country $85.25
• If the you want to title a previously junk vehicle as a builder and your vehicle is a custom one or a street rod you will have to fill out a Statement or Builder where you affirm that “the vehicle will not be used for general daily transportation but will be maintained for occasional transportation, exhibitions, club activities, parades, tours, or other functions of public interest and similar uses” as this is required according to section 320.0863, Florida Statutes. Otherwise, you title application will be rejected. You will also have to list major parts used in repairs such as any fender, bumper, hood, rear quarter panel, cowl assembly, trunk lid, door, deck lid, floor pan, catalytic converter, airbag, engine, frame or transmission, as well as the VIN of the source vehicle. This applies to all rebuilt vehicles except for motorcycles.

Rebuilt Title Disclosure in Florida
Actually, it’s FL certificate of rebuilt title and the rebuilt status decal that serve to inform prospective buyers about the salvage history of a motor vehicle in Florida. Although it’s a third-degree felony in Florida to knowingly misrepresent the status of a vehicle to a prospective buyer, every year many buyers become victims to dishonest dealers to conceal the salvage history. In addition, it’s not enough to know that the vehicle has a rebuilt title - you want to find out WHY is was given a salvage title to estimate it’s real value.
That’s why you should always do VIN checks and get vehicle history reports before buying a Florida rebuilt title. Once the vehicle is totaled, its title becomes permanently branded. If a FL vehicle has a normal title and the VIN history checkshows a salvage or water damage history, you have probably run into a car selling scam.

 

[glide]

It’s not your car anymore.

 

[OCR1]

It shows having 14,479 miles on it. Is that about what you had on it when you had your accident?

Do the pictures match the car you owned?

 

[gaswalla]

Yes - interesting. Seems plausible that a third party put parts together from a couple or more salvaged Model3s and created a fully functional vehicle. Very easy to do with the modular build.
But, the Vin on the window and door sill probably don’t match the computer vin. Also wonder how many miles the battery and drive unit register. Definitely should be flagged as a salvage sale since they are using OPs salvaged vin.

 

[gaswalla]

The pics show the 9k mile reading as OPs crashed car

 

[simplego]

It shows having 14,479 miles on it. Is that about what you had on it when you had your accident?

Do the pictures match the car you owned?

The pictures show 9401 vs the auction ones of 9365.
There’s a discrepancy in mileage from the post and with what’s on the actual car.

 

[simplego]

Yes - interesting. Seems plausible that a third party put parts together from a couple or more salvaged Model3s and created a fully functional vehicle. Very easy to do with the modular build.
But, the Vin on the window and door sill probably don’t match the computer vin. Also wonder how many miles the battery and drive unit register. Definitely should be flagged as a salvage sale since they are using OPs salvaged vin.

This vehicle sold with its original title (very unusual) not a salvaged one, therefore technically this vehicle is no salvaged (it has a clean title even though it has been in an accident).

 

[gaswalla]

The car does not seem to be receiving updates, so looks like Tesla believes it’s a salvage

 

[Dr. J]

This vehicle sold with its original title (very unusual) not a salvaged one, therefore technically this vehicle is no salvaged (it has a clean title even though it has been in an accident).

Under Florida rebuilt law, a salvage title is issued to damaged vehicles with estimated repair costs 80 percent of its market value immediately before the damage (while it’s 70 or 75 percent in most other states).

Possibly because the estimated repair cost is only 76.4% of retail value?
Estimated Retail Value: 44921

Estimated Repair Cost ≈ 34329
Tesla Model 3 2018 Purple U vin: 5YJ3E1EA8JF155257 free car history