Mexico City, March 12 – The Mexico City Congress is taking steps to address the pervasive issue of auto parts theft with a new legislative initiative. Deputy Yolanda García Ortega has introduced a proposal that would require new vehicles sold in the city to have certain auto parts permanently and visibly marked.
Initiative Aims to Deter Theft and Aid Recovery
During a session at the local Congress on Thursday, Deputy García Ortega explained that the initiative seeks to add a paragraph to Article 15 Bis of the Public Vehicle Registry Law. This amendment would specifically mandate the permanent marking of headlights, taillights, and side windows on new vehicles. The goal is to make it more difficult for stolen parts to be resold in the black market and to enhance their traceability.
“Tens of thousands of auto parts thefts are reported in Mexico every year, and what is most alarming is that more than 94 percent of these crimes are not reported. This means that most thefts do not even appear in official statistics,” stated the legislator from the Green Ecologist Party of Mexico (PVEM).
Addressing an Untamed Black Market
García Ortega highlighted the existence of a thriving illegal market where stolen parts are openly sold in informal settings such as street markets, clandestine workshops, and online platforms. The proposed permanent marking is intended to disrupt this illicit trade by making it easier to identify and track stolen components.
The initiative also proposes that the Public Vehicle Registry integrate this auto parts identification into its database. This would allow federal and state security authorities to verify the correspondence between the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and the engraved parts in the field. Furthermore, the system would be designed for interoperability with prosecutor’s offices and customs authorities, strengthening the overall enforcement framework.
“If auto parts were identified, marked, and linked to the vehicle identification number, it would be more difficult for them to end up in the black market,” García Ortega emphasized, describing her proposal as a clear and effective preventative measure against auto parts theft. She added that this would help track stolen parts, discourage illegal dismantling of vehicles, close avenues for the black market, and strengthen security mechanisms.
Next Steps for the Proposal
Following Deputy García Ortega’s presentation, the Board of Directors of the local Congress announced that the initiative would be referred to the Citizen Security Commission for analysis and dictation. If approved by this commission and subsequently by the Plenary, the bill would then be sent to the Congress of the Union for its legislative process.
This initiative underscores a growing concern over vehicle-related crime in Mexico City and represents a proactive step towards enhancing public safety and security for vehicle owners.
