Anybody know who to call to verify that an engine number isn't registered as stolen?

could try asking the police however if it turns out that it is it could be bad news for you.......

try asking the RAC ?

probably the DVLA, they must know if its stolen or they wouldnt catch them being used in kit cars.

or the manuf.?

JoelP, I rang the DVLA this morning as I am all worried now!! They said that they could check if a registration was related to a stolen car but not a specific engine number. Without the registration the person at Swansea that I spoke to said that it was not possible to trace using their database.

I checked one of my engines as I had written down the reg no. of the car it came out of (the seller still had it) and that came out ok no bad history, although it was still registered to the seller and I know the car was broken up when I got the engine!!!!

The other engine though was bought already out of the car (apparently car was scrapped) so no idea on that one other than it was an Astra GTE!

I may ring the police anyway, I would rather risk losing the engine beforew I rebuild it than after!

I think that the VRO insist on reciepts to try and combat theft (which is good!!) but I don't get the impression that they can do a lot about tracing engine numbers, unless they are reported on a police list or something?

As far as I know, duplicate engine numbers may well exist as different manufacturers use different systems, and reconditioners use their own systems too. It is time it was all integrated really, then there would be no question (just more red tape though!!)