Frequently Asked Questions

Unmarked vehicle parts or easily removable identification markings such as VIN and engine numbers offer professional thieves many opportunities. Registration fraud, substitution of identity (re-birthing), chopping of parts and fraudulent warranty claims are some of the major challenges facing investigators and police. With 10,000 microdots sprayed onto motor vehicles we are in effect providing each vehicle with its own DNA! It is a proven fact that a vehicle with this degree of identification becomes less desirable to thieves.

NO. The DataDot system is not a tracking device.

Microdot Technology is not a tracking device, it is a passive system used in Police Investigation for the Identification of original ownership of any Microdotted Asset.

You can contact DataDot on 044 874 0836 and we will refer you to your nearest fitment centre in order for you to have your vehicle fitment verified.

Each vehicle type has a different application specification where 10 000 Microdots are applied to 73 locations covering the engine compartment, vehicle interior and under-carriage.  Microdots are not applied to the exterior paintwork / bodywork of the vehicle. 

Simply report the theft to the SAPS as per the standard procedure stating your vehicle has been microdotted. The SAPS currently have access to a national database of vehicles that have been microdotted and it is standard policing protocol to check this database and flag the vehicle status accordingly.

No – there is a good chance that these parts will not be microdotted. DataDot is fitted to many parts and panels throughout the vehicle according to SANS534-1 and if these panels are replaced, DataDot need not be refitted. If however you or your insurer would like the vehicle to be returned to its original specification you may have DataDot refitted by any DataDot approved fitment centre.

Any change to NATIS/ownership details are available to the SAPS via their system which in turn has links into the national microdot database. Hence when the unique microdot is identified it will be linked to the new owner.

As per standard practice by the insurance companies, the insurance company takes ownership of your vehicle once they have settled your claim. The SAPS will therefore contact the relevant new owner / insurer once the vehicle is recovered.

Please ask your insurer to e-mail your new vehicles full 17 digit VIN number to either info@datadot.co.za or vesa@datadot.co.za and a data enquiry will be e-mailed from the national database in reply to the broker concerned. In addition to this most insurance underwriters and or brokers have access to this information via their links with TU-Auto and Tsohle-Unicode.

Each individual is evaluated on their own merits when it comes to insurance risk. Your broker or insurance underwriters will need to establish your individual rate reduction based on your overall risk profile. The South African Insurance Association certifies this technology and is fully aware of the benefits. In general a 5% discount is available on request.