Car VIN number

[MoneyGuy]

Darling daughter is selling her car and an interested buyer has contacted her and asked for the car's VIN number. Is it okayi to give that info out or could it possibly be a scam? She's wondering if this could be dangerous in any way????

[ricosuave]

the buyer wants to run a scan on it to see its history - usually its OK, but what I usually do is go to the registry and for $10, they will provide a VIN report, which you can show the buyer...

i have also wondered how dangerous it is, since the VIN is visible to anyone who looks at the cars...

[MoneyGuy]

Yes I know that he'd probably use the VIN to determine if it's been in an accident. That's probably at least 98% likely, but I'm wondering if there might be something else going on.

[ricosuave]

Is the guy local, or has she communicated with them (IE has phone number, address, etc)?

if so, its probably OK, but if it is a buyer from out of city or province or something, I'd be wary...

[ricosuave]

just found this too...
http://www.google.ca/search?q=giving...ient=firefox-a

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by ricosuave

if so, its probably OK, but if it is a buyer from out of city or province or something, I'd be wary...

why?
Is there any reason to be wary?

I can't imagine there's anything to worry about. A lot of used car adds list the VIN in the add, and any used car dealership will certainly give you a VIN. I don't know for sure, but can't imagine there is any harm when millions of car owners openly list their VINs.

I would never buy a used car without checking the VIN to getting a carfax report. If you're not gonna give the guy the VIN, he will think you're hiding something, and you'll likely have a tough time selling.

[Winsor_Pilates]

what kind of car? I'm looking to buy!

[ricosuave]

^ well, I'm just a bit paranoid from buyers like Nigeria and all that... LOL

I've certainly asked for them myself before, but who knows what kind of scams might be floating around overseas!

[MoneyGuy]

It's a Toyota Corolla. Potential buyer communicated by email to an ad my daughter ran on some website.

[zhulander]

It's possible that they could use the VIN to cut a key.
Is the car parked somewhere the majority of the day with a for sale sign?
Have her purchase a car proof from the registries and just scan/email any potential buyers the report (with partially blurred VIN of course).
When they see the car in person they can see the original report.
Saves everyone time and weeds out flaky buyers.

[Ironhorse]

Originally Posted by zhulander

It's possible that they could use the VIN to cut a key.

Only partially true, and a bit unlikely for a Corrolla.

http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/vin.asp

[First Lady]

The most likely reason is to run a lien search. If you buy a vehicle that has a lien (loan) against it; the cheque should be made out to both parties.

If you only make it out to the person and they do not pay out their loan, the bank has the option to go after the new owner for either the outstanding amount or repo the vehicle.

[TimSJ]

they probably want to do a carfax or a car proof.. shouldn't really be an issue to suppy the vin.. Afterall all anyone in the world has to do is walk by your car and look at the windsheild to see what the vin is.. nothing much they can really do with just the VIN