Sharing vin number

[HP2]

Hey guys,

I'm selling one of my vehicles, not any of the Dodges. We haven't met in person or had a phone call yet, all communication has been through direct messaging. Fortunately they haven't asked me to use some BS vin site, but they have asked for the vin directly. I suppose he probably want to run a Carfax or similar report. However, I'm a bit reluctant to do so. What do I risk by providing this and have any of you done this with or without issue?

[pschlosser]

Hey guys,

I'm selling one of my vehicles, not any of the Dodges. We haven't met in person or had a phone call yet, all communication has been through direct messaging. Fortunately they haven't asked me to use some BS vin site, but they have asked for the vin directly. I suppose he probably want to run a Carfax or similar report. However, I'm a bit reluctant to do so. What do I risk by providing this and have any of you done this with or without issue?

I don't really know what you risk. I see images of vintage VIN tags and fender tags online, with the VIN number partially blocked out.  By doing so, one cannot use the DMV to tell them where the car is registered.  As far as I know, that is the only risk.  The risk of your car's street address being known and potentially getting located and stolen.  

If someone were to come and actually VIEW the car, I would expect the VIN tag would be fully viewable and available, so it's hard to say what the risk may be in YOUR case.  

Carfax on these 50-year-old cars is kind of irrelevant, unless it's been in a bonafide accident in the last decade... 40 years after it was made.  News about what accident the car was in maybe... in the 1980s is long gone, and not available via carfax.  

I am with you, be reluctant.  Be wary.

If they DO show up for a visit, ask to see the money, first thing.  Have someone hiding in the tress, nearby, with a sniper rifle.  Stuff these days can get pretty spooky.

Give him a partial vin, if that is what he wants, but omit the last 6 digits.  That is all he really needs.  Tell him, before they close the deal, AFTER he views the car, he is welcome to use the full VIN and confirm it's not stolen.  Much more prior to him being there in person, with the cash, again, I vote be on the safe side.

That said, I have, on occasion, gone to view a car without a pink slip, without a title, just a bill of sale.  On one occasion I purchased, the car was indeed stolen.  So they may have a point, but not for a car that isn't a collectors item.  A collector car warrants discretion and caution, on both sides of the transaction.

If this not a vintage muscle car, like your wife's minivan or something, I'm not sure there is much risk in giving them the VIN prior to meeting in person... but why?

[Katfish]

What would it hurt?
Seems necessary if you want to sell.

[RUNCHARGER]

As a buyer I would want it to check for any stories before wasting too much time checking it out. If you look in the right places you can see if there are any stories tied to the vin.

[HP2]

This is one of my later models, a 2001, not any of my classics.  It does have a clear title and as the second owner, I have a pretty good handle on its history. It isn't stolen and never had any registration issues. I'd expect pulling a report is so they can find out if the prior owners service records were/are consistent with the mileage that aligns with my claim as well as to find out about any previous accidents, which there is one, that maybe on its record.

Thanks for the feedback.

[Racer57]

Probably wants to verify the vin so there's no misunderstanding when/if he shows up.

[torredcuda]

I see both vin tags and license plates blocked out in pics but both are visible anytime a vehicle is out in public. Most DMVs no longer give out owner info with just a vin. Sure there is always a slim chance of someone up to no good but if you have ownership documentation I see no reason to be worried.