Former British police officer Ben Pearson reveals ways to tell if a car has been stolen, including a 'keyless' sign of theft that can be as simple as a set of suspicious keys. “High-end models generally come with basic keys or advanced keys. If you see a high-end vehicle that is operated with a basic key, it might be worth looking again," Pearson told The Sun newspaper.
Watch out for minor damage to the trunk or any lights, as some thieves enter the car through the trunk. Fraudsters have devised other clever ways to avoid arrest, including license plates. "Sometimes thieves replace the license plates of a stolen car with those of another vehicle. Be wary of cars with license plates that look unauthorized, don't match the type of vehicle or are from a remote location," said Pearson.