stolen about a year ago? Has insurance claims all been cleared and the case closed by police? Since it's been such a long time, the current person selling the car, might be the 3rd or 4th person down the supply chain of stolen car syndicate, or he could even be an innocent party alltogether... U can try to send a spy as a buyer but I dont really see the point in this.. how much information would you be able to gather, and how many infiltrating questions do you think you can ask, before the seller becomes suspicious of your intentions.. Best advice would be to check with police what to do, of course only after double checking if it is actually your car...