Trying to sell my car. Possible buyer wants the VIN. Should I?
I put my car on Facebook Marketplace, and have gotten some hits. One such responder (via Messenger) asked a few questions that made them seem legit, and then asked if I would supply the car's VIN. That seemed a little sketchy to me, but I'm not sure why.
I assume they're going to run a CarFax or somesort to get the car's past history, which is perfectly fine. But, my paranoid internet brain says don't give it out over Messenger. Or any other e-communication until I know definitely they're legit.
Am I being undully paranoid here? What's the worst that could happen if I gave them the VIN?
posted by Thorzdad to Grab Bag (6 answers total) 2 users marked this as a favorite
Best answer: It’s one of those things that’s not exactly a secret, so I wouldn’t be too terribly concerned. You can go up to any car in the US and write down the VIN from outside the windshield, so if there was too much risk for title fraud, I think it would be pretty commonly understood by now.
I’ve never bought a used car without running a history report. If you wanted to qualify the buyer, have them meet you to see the car and they can get the VIN, then.
posted by hwyengr at 10:28 AM on May 2, 2023 [9 favorites]
Best answer: Yeah, the VIN alone isn't going to enable them to do anything malicious, and as pointed out above, on any reasonably modern car in the US it's openly visible to passerby. They probably want to run a report, or look it up by VIN to verify trim level, factory options, engine & transmission, etc.
You could use it to qualify a buyer, but especially if it was a car that I was going to have to drive a couple hours to go see, as a buyer that'd make me nope out. For a trip like that, I'd have run a report on the VIN before deciding if it was worth the trip. There's really no harm in giving it out. Most (all?) Carfax-ish reports will also show the condition of the title; if it's clean, salvage, flood/rebuilt etc. All of which a buyer would want to know up-front.
posted by xedrik at 10:44 AM on May 2, 2023 [4 favorites]
Response by poster: Thanks, hwyengr and xedrik. I ended up sharing the VIN.
posted by Thorzdad at 11:02 AM on May 2, 2023
Be careful. The other posters are correct that the VIN is not exactly a state secret, but there is a scam on Facebook Marketplace where scammers try to make you pay for a fake report on a bogus vehicle history site (they will claim Carfax isn't working). They will then flee with the money. Do not pay for someone else's "history report". Example.
posted by Seeking Direction at 12:09 PM on May 2, 2023 [8 favorites]
It’s reasonable for you to run your own report and share it with buyers- I’ve always had that when considering a used car.
Note that you may (?) only be able to print it once (?) I’m actually not sure if that’s true and it seems unlikely, but a couple years ago, a used car salesman was annoyed when I wrote notes on a report printout he gave me, as I didn’t expect him to want it back - he said he would have to pay again to reprint it. So just check that before handing them out!
posted by nouvelle-personne at 12:51 PM on May 2, 2023
In some states, a buyer can go to the state DMV site with a VIN and calculate the cost for taxes, fees and registration. California is one of those states. Buyers use the website to make certain that the registration claimed by the seller is accurate. Some sellers will try to sell a car that has hundreds (or thousands!) in back registration fees, claiming the tags are current, saddling the buyer with a car that is uneconomic to register, or that can't be registered at all.
I won't even go look at a car without knowing the VIN in advance so I can run the DMV registration calculation. Craigslist has a spot to routinely list the VIN on ads for this reason. Repeat used car buyers look askance at sellers who won't provide the VIN. There really is nothing a buyer can do with the VIN to cause the seller harm.
A buyer who asks for the VIN is likely someone who has bought a used car from a private seller before, or has help from someone who has done so. An experienced buyer may be more likely to know what e is seeking, show up with cash, and complete the purchase.
posted by KayQuestions at 7:25 PM on May 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
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FAQs
Yes! Because VIN data is not public record, providing your car's VIN to a potential buyer, whether online or in person, is completely safe. A VIN number can only be used to obtain general information about the service records and history of your vehicle.
Is it bad if someone knows your car VIN? ›
VINs are sensitive information and car owners should treat them like social security numbers. People shouldn't give out their VIN unless they deal with a trusted associate like a family member or friend. Exceptions apply if, for example, they're trying to sell their vehicle.
Why would someone ask for a VIN number? ›
The VIN check can reveal structural damage and major vehicle repairs. A seller may not disclose the complete history of the car. Or, if they're not the original owner may be unaware of its history. Let a VIN check help fill in the gaps.
Is it okay to give VIN on Craigslist? ›
When shouldn't I give out my VIN? You shouldn't include your VIN on any public listings or advertisem*nts, such as Craigslist, Autotrader or eBay. This can leave you especially vulnerable to the practice of VIN cloning (see more from Rig Dig here).
Should I give my VIN to a mechanic? ›
A VIN number helps a mechanic determine the specific parts a car will need without a need for a labor intensive manual search in today's extensive and varied range of vehicles on the road.
Is it sketchy to give out your VIN number? ›
Is It Safe To Give A Stranger My Vehicle Identification Number? Yes! Because VIN data is not public record, providing your car's VIN to a potential buyer, whether online or in person, is completely safe. A VIN number can only be used to obtain general information about the service records and history of your vehicle.
What can happen if I give someone my VIN number? ›
To answer the introductory question: Yes. It is completely safe to give out your VIN (it is within plain sight, after all). Sharing your VIN when selling your car is critical to you getting the best value for your vehicle.
What can someone see with a VIN number? ›
A VIN displays the car's unique features, specifications and manufacturer.
Can a scammer do anything with a VIN number? ›
PHOENIX — It's a scheme people won't know they're a victim of until it's too late. Crooks "cloning" legitimate vehicle VIN numbers so they can fraudulently obtain the car's title and then use that to get money from a title loan company.
Is VIN personal information? ›
The VIN is not a personal data per se, but it can be personal if more additional data is available that makes a person associated with that VIN identifiable.
VIN helps the buyer verify the information provided by the seller. However, it is not necessary to upload the VIN. A seller not providing a VIN does not mean that it is a dishonest listing, it just means that they are not able to provide proof that the information given in the listing is accurate.
Should I ask private seller for VIN? ›
Get the VIN from the seller before you look at the car. Then run a free vehicle history report or pay for a more detailed report from a third-party company like Carfax or AutoCheck. Be aware of title issues: Make sure the title is in the name of the seller.
What does the VIN number tell you? ›
A VIN is usually composed of:
17 characters including digits and capital letters, that acts as a unique identifier for your car. The VIN number tells you when and where the car was built. It tells you the manufacturer, year, make and model, and the trim level including unique features and specifications.
Why do car dealers want your VIN number? ›
That said, where the VIN holds the most value is that the number is used by everyone from dealerships to insurance companies to government agencies to track a vehicle's history.
Why do body shops ask for VIN? ›
In addition to learning more about the car, the body shop uses the VIN to keep track of repairs done to the vehicle for future reference by the owner or the body shop.
What does give me the VIN do with the cars? ›
Give Me The Vin is a rapidly growing company with a unique twist on auto wholesaling. We buy vehicles from every day people, refurbish them and sell to major auto auctions. We fulfill the need for our customers to sell their vehicles in a fast, easy and simple way.
What can someone do with my car VIN? ›
You know, anybody can walk past your car and copy down the VIN number because it's right there in the windshield. Once they've copied your VIN number, they can apply for duplicate papers, and those papers can be used on another car that has been stolen or may have been reconstructed.
What can a vehicle VIN number tell you? ›
The VIN number tells you when and where the car was built. It tells you the manufacturer, year, make and model, and the trim level including unique features and specifications. Your car's VIN number can be used to track recalls, registrations, warranty claims, thefts and insurance coverage.
Should you hide your VIN number? ›
You responded, and one suggestion that came in more than half a dozen times was to hide or cover the VIN on the dashboard. Unfortunately, covering it is no longer a strong theft deterrent. A vehicle's VIN is available to anyone using your licence plate number.
