[dad911]

@Terry - If you build a car from pieces, NY DMV will inspect it and give you a title. You have to provide documentation of all parts.

I wrecked a 944 turbo, and moved my drivetrain to another 944 that had a salvage title(it was a theft recovery). I brought the car, when finished, to a NY inspection. Had to document all parts, and they put it on a lift, looked for welding (I did not 'clip' the car) and scraped various places under to car to check for original colors. I then received a title in the mail a few weeks later and could register it.

Bottom line is there is never a valid reason for an owner to cut the vin out of a car. That's why it's illegal.

Think about the reciprocal. If You were buying a car would you pay the same amount knowing the VIN was changed? No, it would be worth less, in fact I would never knowingly buy a car that had a VIN changed (worth zero to me). So changing a VIN would be defrauding a future owner.