Back in my day (and it probably still applies). If a vehicle was involved in an RTC and had sustained significant damage a V23 was submitted. Thsi resulted in a marker being placed on the DVLA and subsequently the PNC databases.
If a check was completed and it indicated 'V23 submitted' it instigated a closer look at the vehicle and a bit of digging. I located several 'ringers' by that simple process.
Even if the RTC was minor a 'Minor RTC card' was submitted which also triggered the V23 process.
All very simple. I'm not aware if the insurance industry submitted V23s for vehicles that had not been involved in policing processes.
Move on to present day. Its difficult to get the Police to attend and deal with any RTCs as it is. Everything cut to the minimum. "Exchange details and let your insurance sort it". It was also difficult to reinforce the importance of a simple administrative process and the consequences of not doing so.
So unless insurance companies submit V23s or 3rd part vehicles are being taken to dismantlers there are still endless opportunities for 'ringing' or mass numbers of parts entering the word of dodgy practices.
If you scan the adds you will often see 'damage repairables' advertised as 'unrecorded'.
I recall in the 90s the large scale thefts of hot hatches:. XRs, Cosworths, GTEs and their like. In My area there was a ring that stole the vehicles and took them to a remote area where they were dismantled. Parts sold on. The ring was investigated and a large numer of parts recovered. When I say large I mean an aircraft hanger full. The issue was finding a suitable facility to store such a haul until court cases were concluded. They ended up quite a distance from my base with extra alarms for security. Infact across a county border. If you search for the location of the Memphis Belle film location your question will be answered. (if you are remotely interested :) )
One night the alarm was activated and yours truly dispatched, collecting a key en route. On arrival and entry I was met with the hangar full of car parts. 'Kid in sweetshop' doesnt quite cover the feelings of a true perol head. Anyway it was a false alarm :S
My point is that its not a new phenomenan but the theft of parts in the street seems more blatant and there is always a market for cheap parts.
Motorcycles are being stolen and shipped off to European countries in containers. You can buy your bike back in bits on the interweb.
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