A Lamborghini Urus Performante, practically new, was sent to a damaged vehicle auction for an unusual reason. The SUV, whose new value exceeds R$ 1.3 million (US$ 250 thousand), had only traveled 83 kilometers and was flawless, with no signs of damage.
Despite its perfect condition, the vehicle was classified as 'salvage,' a term equivalent to total loss in the United States, because thieves removed the plate containing its identification number.
This case was disclosed by the auction house IAA, which specializes in insurance company vehicles, in March 2025, as reported by the Carscoops website. News about the car recently resurfaced.
According to Carscoops, the Urus was stolen shortly after leaving the dealership and still has the key and interior intact.
In the United States, the VIN, which stands for Vehicle Identification Number in English, performs the same function as the chassis number in Brazil. This number is engraved in various parts of the body, in addition to appearing on a plate on the dashboard, visible through the windshield.
It is precisely this plate that most state traffic agencies require for verification before registering the car. Without it, the Urus cannot be licensed in most states. If licensing is possible, the new owner must request a new identification and undergo an official inspection.
Even after regularization, the SUV will permanently retain the 'salvage' designation in its documents, which is comparable to the situation of auction cars in Brazil, which tend to have lower resale values.
The specific example belongs to the Performante version, which is the most performance-focused line. It is equipped with a 4.0L twin-turbo V8 engine that generates 666 horsepower and 86.7 kgfm of torque, in addition to having lowered suspension and exclusive aerodynamic components.
For those who prefer to avoid bureaucratic procedures, it is important to note that the auctioned SUV can still be used on closed circuits, locations where mandatory registration does not apply.