A tampered chassis number is a vehicle identification number (VIN) that has been altered, erased, replaced, or modified to hide a vehicle’s true identity. In the Philippines, tampering, altering, or replacing these numbers is illegal under Republic Act No. 6539 (Anti-Carnapping Act) and LTO Memorandum Circular No. AHS-2008-953, as it is often linked to stolen or illegally rebuilt vehicles. The law aims to prevent car theft, fraud, and the circulation of illegally assembled vehicles, ensuring that every car on the road can be safely and legally traced to its rightful owner.
If you’re wondering what could happen if your car has a tampered chassis number or how to fix it properly, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about it.
What is a Chassis Number?
The chassis number (also known as the Vehicle Identification Number or VIN) is your car’s unique identity — like a fingerprint. It is a set of letters and numbers stamped on the vehicle’s body or frame that tells the LTO, police, and buyers where the car came from, its make, model, and year. If this number is scratched off, re-stamped, or replaced, it becomes impossible to confirm the vehicle’s true identity — which is why tampering is strictly prohibited under Republic Act 6539 (Anti-Carnapping Act) and LTO Memorandum Circular No. AHS-2008-953. If this number is missing, altered, or fake, the vehicle is considered questionable or illegally modified.
What the Law Says
Under Republic Act No. 6539 (The Anti-Carnapping Act), it is illegal for anyone to deface, alter, or tamper with the original or registered serial numbers of a vehicle’s engine, engine block, or chassis.
According to LTO Memorandum Circular No. AHS-2008-953, the following are strictly prohibited:
- Assigning or stamping a new serial number to a defaced engine or chassis.
- Registering or re-registering a vehicle with a tampered, altered, or missing engine or chassis number.
- Adding extra characters or changing the original serial number.
- Using an unnumbered or fake engine block.
These rules exist to prevent car theft, fraud, and illegal vehicle assembly.
Penalties for Tampered or Fake Chassis Numbers
If your vehicle is found to have a tampered, fake, or unregistered chassis or engine number, the following penalties apply:
- ₱2,000 fine for the first offense
- ₱3,000 fine for the second offense
- ₱10,000 fine for every subsequent offense
In addition:
- Driver’s license suspension for 3 months (2nd offense)
- 6 months suspension (3rd offense)
- Permanent revocation (4th offense and beyond)
Once your license is revoked, you will also be disqualified from applying for a new non-professional driver’s license for two (2) years.
How to Check if the Chassis Number Has Been Tampered
To avoid these problems, always check the engine and chassis numbers before buying a used vehicle. Here’s how to check if the chassis number has been tampered with:
1. Do a Visual Inspection
Start by locating the chassis number — it’s usually stamped on:
- The firewall or frame under the hood
- The driver’s side door frame
- The undercarriage or near the front wheel well
Check for these signs of tampering:
- Uneven or freshly engraved markings
- Scratches, grinding marks, or welding around the stamped area
- Inconsistent font or spacing in the letters and numbers
- Painted-over or smoothed-out areas where the number should be
If something looks off, don’t ignore it.
2. Request a PNP-HPG Macro-Etching Test
The PNP-HPG conducts macro-etching tests at the PNP-HPG Motor Vehicle Clearance Office to verify if a chassis or engine number has been tampered with.
This process involves:
- Applying a special chemical solution to the metal surface
- Revealing any original hidden or erased markings underneath
- Issuing a PNP-HPG Clearance Certificate stating whether the number is genuine or altered
3. Check with the LTO
Visit the LTO office where the vehicle is registered and ask for a verification of records. The LTO will check its database to confirm if the chassis number matches the official records.
Provide the following documents:
- Certificate of Registration (CR)
- Official Receipt (OR) of the vehicle
- Valid ID of the owner
If discrepancies are found, the vehicle will not be registered until cleared.
Note: You can also use the LTO Online Portal for initial verification.
4. Ask for the Vehicle’s Source Documents
When buying a used car, always request:
- Original Certificate of Registration (CR)
- Sales Invoice and Deed of Sale
- Bureau of Customs Certificate of Payment (for imported vehicles)
Compare the chassis number on these documents with the actual number stamped on the vehicle. If there’s even a slight difference, it may indicate tampering or replacement parts.
What to Do If Tampering is Confirmed
If the PNP-HPG or LTO finds that your chassis number has been altered or erased, even if you didn’t intend to break the law, may still cause you serious problems such as:
- You risk losing your driver’s license.
- Your vehicle could be impounded for investigation.
- You might even be charged under the Anti-Carnapping Law if the vehicle turns out to be stolen.
- The vehicle will not be registered or re-registered until the issue is resolved.
- You must file a request for restoration of the original chassis number with the LTO.
To request for restoration, you will need to submit the following documents:
- Affidavit explaining how the number was defaced or erased
- Letter-request for restoration
- PNP-HPG macro-etching report and clearance
- Certificate of Registration and source documents
- MVIS inspection report
Only after LTO approval can your vehicle be legally registered again.
Remember: Maintaining your vehicle’s true identity keeps you safe, protects you from scams, and helps keep the roads free from stolen or illegally modified cars.