Which condition of the vehicle can indicate it may be stolen?

License plate irregularities can be a significant indicator that a vehicle may be stolen. If a vehicle has mismatched, tampered, or missing license plates, it raises suspicion and prompts further investigation. These irregularities can include things such as a license plate from a different state than where the vehicle is registered, alterations to the plate's numbers or letters, or a lack of proper documentation. Law enforcement officers are trained to recognize these signs as potential indicators of theft, making it essential to check for discrepancies in licensing when assessing a vehicle's legitimacy.

In contrast, a newly washed exterior, shiny headlights, or high fuel efficiency do not directly correlate with whether a vehicle is stolen. While a clean vehicle might seem suspicious if found in a potentially problematic situation, it is not a reliable indicator in itself. Similarly, the appearance of the headlights or the performance metrics of a vehicle do not typically provide any direct clues regarding its ownership status.