Why don't sellers want to give out the vin?

[-]

jckipps@reddit

There's this mistaken belief that VINs can be exploited in a similar way to social security numbers. They can't.

Every legitimate automotive auction site includes the VIN of the cars being sold.

[-]

You can have a dealership cut a key for the vehicle based on the VIN. As long as the key cylinder hasn't been changed, the dealer knows what key code is needed. That means someone stealing a car merely needs a friend at a dealer and they can get keys.

I've done it, to help a friend steal his own car. Girlfriend stole his car and hid the keys before leaving town and basically was trying to get him to have to pay a tow bill to get his car back. I happen to have lots of mechanic friends and most dealerships so I called one up, cut a key, and went over to his house and programmed the key with my computer. All of this was possible because the VIN was known. And was only done cause I personally knew the person, obviously I could do it to any car, but I don't and won't for anyone that comes along asking.

[-]

Moist_Pack_6399@reddit

The dealership can find your vin with just the license plate, so the numbers you're displaying to everybody else.

[-]

mxracer888@reddit

Anybody can look up a VIN based on plates

[-]

Moist_Pack_6399@reddit

So what's your point about not giving out the vin because a dealer could make a new key

[-]

Left_Net1841@reddit

I had a truck stolen with the VIN. Truck was sitting at local garage. It’s not my daily driver and I told the owner I was in no rush and to get to it when they had time. We have done this a few times over the years with our non essential toys. Much to my surprise we spotted it one day at an abandoned school. My husband « that looks like your truck », me « TURN AROUND, THAT IS MY TRUCK !!».

The story goes someone had approached the garage saying they wanted to buy it. Garage said no, she won’t sell it. Criminal gets VIN, walks into MTO, asks for used vehicle package, which includes a BOS. Forges my signature, tells garage he tracked me down and bought it, and drives truck away. Criminal drove truck for over a month, in my name, with my plates, insured by me, until he blew the engine.

I like to think that would be very hard to replicate but who knows. Anyhow I am going to have to sue the garage to fix the truck. I had storage insurance on it which doesn’t cover theft. Criminal got off with no repercussions and doesn’t have a pot to piss in. My only recourse is to have engine rebuilt (it’s a Yukon XL 2500 with the 8.1 so no crate option) and then take the owner of garage to court for the cost. If I said I was pissed off, it wouldn’t begin to describe how I’m left feeling. The truck was mint and this pig trashed it. It had only seen one winter in its life and was truly flawless.

So don’t be so sure that creative, bold criminals can’t make use of a VIN.

[-]

lucidone@reddit

Isn't the MTO to blame here too? How did they get a bill of sale with just your VIN?

[-]

ThumpAndSplash@reddit

Sounds more like a moronic mechanic to me. Legally fuck em into the ground, Mano.

[-]

Left_Net1841@reddit

Unfortunately for them, that is my plan. Why should I be on the hook for the, idk, $10k probably? I was going to approach them to see if he wants to make it right but how could I trust them? So I will pay, spare no expense, and hire a nasty lawyer. C’est la vie

[-]

Malakai0013@reddit

That's like 99.99% incompetence on the folks at the garage. If your truck hadn't been in the hands of people who seemingly couldn't be bothered to just double check if you had actually sold the vehicle, the VIN wouldn't have mattered.

And I'd be remiss to point out that its kinda weird you just left your expensive vehicle at a shop for at least a month. If I'm being honest, their attorney is likely to claim you abandoned the vehicle there, but I'm not sure what the laws actually are around it.

[-]

Left_Net1841@reddit

Yeah I don’t disagree. I trusted them. We used them for 8-9 different vehicles over a 6 year period. Basically ever car we have that is no longer under warranty went to them. I’m still kind of shocked at their negligence. I would estimate we spent…idk…$20k at least over the years? I blew up a VW, that one was spendy and I think one job on the diesel F-250 was up there and my Wrangler was a $5-6k job at one point. That’s why I can’t believe they would be in on it. Why kill a cash cow?

They are a very small town garage and always rammed. The only game in town and for a pretty wide radius. I never pressured them to squeeze me in for a non urgent job.

The legality is that had they asked me to sign a storage contract they may have a leg to stand on if I had left it there beyond whatever the contract dictated. We did not have an agreement of any kind. Just a verbal « let me know when you get to it ».

Anyhow, the whole thing stinks.

[-]

aj8j83fo83jo8ja3o8ja@reddit

so what happened is a mechanic illegally gave your truck away because they’re stupid. that’s not really stealing your vehicle using the VIN

[-]

Left_Net1841@reddit

Well clearly they are morons, assuming they weren’t in on it, but without the « official documents » I doubt they would have handed him the keys. I mean there isn’t really much I could have done to prevent it, anyone can take a pic of a VIN. In Canada most cars are just straight up physically stolen and gone in a sea can before you have your morning coffee. If you don’t want the hassle of dealing with insurance etc lock them up properly in garage/compound or install bollards.

[-]

aj8j83fo83jo8ja3o8ja@reddit

yeah i get it, i live in Toronto. shit was crazy for a while there, and it’s still pretty bad. somehow my 2007 Volvo with a physical key is harder to steal than a 2024 Highlander… and certainly less desirable

[-]

chandgaf@reddit

Same way idiots blur out their license plate in canada

You cant do shit with that info

[-]

conservitiveliberal@reddit

They also think your license plate csn some how be used to get you. The number you show to everyone every day.

[-]

PeorgieT75@reddit

Even new car dealers put the VIN on their ads.

[-]

Oak510land@reddit

You can also just walk up to any car and look at the windshield and see it.

[-]

Mikey3800@reddit

Some people cover it with a piece of paper. That is especially annoying when the driver’s door has been replaced and the sticker on the door doesn’t match exactly what the vehicle is.

[-]

optimiism@reddit

Sticker doesn’t go on the door, it goes inside the door, on the frame.

[-]

Old_Goat_Ninja@reddit

VIN goes on every panel

[-]

BRING_ME_THE_ENTROPY@reddit

No that’s a thing. I think it was 3M that makes a sticker that comes apart if you peel it off that has the VIN etched into it. If you look for listings on Hondas (especially S2k’s) they all mentioned x/10 VINs in their listing. It means they can prove that, that body piece is original or hasn’t had any body work done that would compromise the sticker.

[-]

Mikey3800@reddit

There are definitely vehicles that have them on the door. That is 100% fact. They are not always on the door frame.

[-]

MycologistAny1151@reddit

I know right

[-]

shotstraight@reddit

First thing, CARFAX is complete shit!!! You can look up recalls through the website below. I h ave done inspections on cars with clean carfaxes that have been not only wrecked before but on one wrangle literally rolled end over end! Carfax can only report what is reported to them, and there are many ways to get around reporting things to them. Don't trust CARFAX get an independent mechanic to do a prepurchase inspection before signing anything or handing over any cash even from a dealer!

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21929390299

[-]

Oak510land@reddit

Eh. I bought a truck and the Carfax showed it was in two fender benders but not salvaged. That's what the seller told me but it was good to know what was reported and informed how much I offered for it.

[-]

yungingr@reddit

Problem is, a lot of independant shops don't report to Carfax - if you would have pulled a carfax report on some of my pickups, it would have looked like it was NEVER maintained, because I did everything myself. Likewise, two of my trucks had bodywork done that was never reported - both done at small independent body shops.

Carfax will only tell you what was done at major shops, it can't tell you EVERYTHING.

[-]

Oak510land@reddit

Agreed but for $50 it tells you what's on the official record which affects the value for sure. I do all my own work as well so all my reports will just show the biannual smog checks, which will also help confirm the odo wasn't rolled back.

[-]

yungingr@reddit

I honestly find little value in the Carfax report when the dealership gives it to me for free, I sure as shit am not going to pay $50 for a spotty record that might only tell me the major things.

[-]

rangeDSP@reddit

Only $50 on a $20k+ car? And if you don't buy one from a dealer, you save $50 and don't get a report?

[-]

BitterBlues87@reddit

They have a free app that is supposed to be for owners of the vehicle, so you can report work that is done and whatnot, but I've used it to check vin reports. Ill just add it to my garage check it out and delete it.

[-]

Oak510land@reddit

How could you tell the owner isn't lying if they just put it in themselves?

[-]

BitterBlues87@reddit

Now I'm not sure if the self reported work would go on the actual carfax or if it's just in the app to track your own cars. I would feel that's the case.

The point was it's a free app to pull any carfax, ive used it the last time I was car shopping.

[-]

BrushYourFeet@reddit

Thanks for sharing.

[-]

Top-Pick-2648@reddit

This is true, my own car was rear ended, ran through all insurance, taken to a legitimate body shop, proper paper work done. Never showed on car fax.

[-]

Equal-Incident5313@reddit

Same as people blocking their license plates. They think they are protecting themselves, yet you have their name and everything is public record, the last thing a person would use to locate them is the LP or even the VIN

[-]

Pafolo@reddit

One is posting it on the internet for everyone to see and the other is giving the into during the sale to the next buyer. These two things aren’t the same.

[-]

largos7289@reddit

If you have the VIN you can technically get a title. You gotta think like a criminal. You go to DMV with no title but say hey I bought a car guy didn't have the title here is the VIN. DMV gives you a form to fill out that needs to be notarized. Here's a hint DMV doesn't actually check or follows up. So the form is supposed to be signed by the seller and the buyer stating that you don't have the title. You can get a notary to do a sig just gotta find the right one. Once that form is "signed" you take that form to DMV and you get a title in your name. Now you own the car legally. So yea no vin, i'll provide you with a carfax if that's what you want, takes like 5 seconds and a bit of extra cash but it's worth it. Because then legally they can say you stole the car, you got a title and now so do they. You gotta prove they are shaddy but they already got your car and spend extra money on lawyers etc...

[-]

turbotaco23@reddit

I’ll play devils advocate here. I know the vin isn’t precious knowledge. By law it’s easily viewable by anyone.

But not every one is sellers or flippers or resellers. It’s just someone looking to offload a car for more money than they can trade it in for. They’re not well versed in pitfalls or common scams so they play it safe.

Also I buy a lot of old junk vehicles and knowing the vin for a lot of vehicles doesn’t mean much. By a certain age the carfax isn’t much help, recall info is out of date.

Mostly I ask for it so I can add it to my insurance before I drive it home.

[-]

Gunk_Olgidar@reddit

They're hiding the service history, branded title, playing at a scam, curb stoning, or don't want to get caught with a stolen car, etc.

[-]

gstringstrangler@reddit

Or, they somehow think you're going to scam them with... Your VIN? This is it in a lot of cases, people are dumb.

[-]

SP92216@reddit

As always the actual answer gets ignored, it’s this. I don’t have a problem giving out a VIN but usually is someone who is just not serious, and if I’m buying a car I’m getting the VIN myself with my phone and a picture.

[-]

GoBeLikeHD@reddit (OP)

I was not going to drive an hr away to get the vin, also buddy wasn't hesitant to give address - this I get lol

[-]

bubbly_area@reddit

How the fuck are you supposed to buy a car if the seller won’t tell you where it is?

[-]

chandgaf@reddit

lmao

[-]

mxracer888@reddit

Do any of the listing photos have the license plate? Cause if they do you can just get the vin yourself

[-]

SP92216@reddit

Yeah. I bought a car basically on the east coast and I was coming from the Midwest. I went and the guy didn’t even let me take it for a check up because it would take too long. After 2 days I asked him to lower it $500 and he did. About the amount to fix whatever was wrong and then drove it across back home no issues. It’s not for everyone and you don’t always win, but if you are knowledgeable and are willing to risk $$$ you can get good deals. I checked the VIN of course once I had a chance to look at it and when I was almost 100 percent I was going to buy it. Also keep in mind that even with the VIN, CARFAX and others don’t always report accurately if you get the VIN you want to start with a google search and see if it was auctioned or in a bad accident before paying anything.

[-]

MarkVII88@reddit

That's all good, but what if you're not local to the vehicle for sale, and want to check recalls and Carfax BEFORE driving hours to check out the car.

[-]

bonestamp@reddit

In Europe, the VIN is considered private... which is silly since it's visible in the front window. But if you look at cars in Europe on ebay (or any other car sales site) the VIN won't be shown, but the same site will show VINs for cars in other countries such as the US.

[-]

GoBeLikeHD@reddit (OP)

This is the conclusion I have come to, they treat it like their Social Insurance Number.

What gets me with this guy was he said the vuyer can check for recalls after purchase 😂

[-]

AnthrallicA@reddit

What is curb stoning? I have never seen or heard this phrase before.

[-]

Gunk_Olgidar@reddit

A licensed dealer attempts to sell the car on the side of the road by the curb, not on their own dealership lot, so as to disguise themselves from being a dealer.

That's why you ask to see the owner's ID and that it matches the name on the title and the address matches the place where you're at, and the face on the ID matches the person you're looking at. If it doesn't then that Facebook Marketplace car you found WAY below market price might be a curb stone sale or other shenanigans.

A google search says:
Curbstoning is the illegal practice of an unlicensed dealer posing as a private individual to sell used vehicles, often hiding problems like a salvaged title or mechanical issues. These dealers operate "off the books" to avoid taxes, regulations, and consumer protections that apply to licensed dealerships, leaving buyers without recourse if something goes wrong after the sale.

[-]

AnthrallicA@reddit

WOW, that's shady AF lol. I appreciate your explanation.

[-]

NeitherStory7803@reddit

Because you can get ahold of a vin and get a duplicate title.

[-]

24STSFNGAwytBOY@reddit

Because people use your vin to find out personal info like your address where the vehicle is stored so they can come steal it.Pretty obvi really.🫣

[-]

GoBeLikeHD@reddit (OP)

Public vin searches doing give out address, they barely give the name of the shop that did repairs lol

[-]

24STSFNGAwytBOY@reddit

Nobody is talking public when it comes to sophisticated scammers Einstein.

[-]

MelodicNecessary3236@reddit

Red flag

[-]

Exotic_Call_7427@reddit

"No, I will not give you the vehicle's VIN because then you can see the truth about the vehicle"

[-]

reddituseAI2ban@reddit

Because they are selling a vehicle with way higher mileage.

[-]

Sudden_Brush7494@reddit

In my experience they either don't know anything about cars and think it's like some sort of vehicle PIN number (lol) so they're cautious, or as others have suggested, they don't want you to know the history (or its a scam).

I had a guy selling a Honda Odyssey locally and he was reluctant to give me the VIN. I got it eventually and saw his service history. It was clear that he failed emissions, went to the Honda dealer, they either diagnosed it and/or did something minor, and he tried to pass emissions again and failed. When I asked him about emissions he said he didn't bother because he was getting rid of the car but the CarFax told a different story. When I asked him what the dealer's diagnosis was he stopped responding.

[-]

VOKEY_PUTTER@reddit

Same as people who BLACK OUT their license plates. They probably drive around every day for hours on end so anybody can see their license plate. It is extremely difficult to find out the personal information from somebody’s license plate as it’s protected under state law and DMV.

[-]

SDplinker@reddit

Scammers or idiots. 95% of FB marketplace

[-]

JCC114@reddit

To someone that is not selling vehicles on the regular it comes off as odd request like your trying to scam them. I know first time I was asked I had to pause and think if there was any way it could be a scam. That is it though. If they don’t sell or buy private party often they are concerned don’t scam they are aware of.

[-]

PinkGreen666@reddit

In the Tacoma like $15k usd? lmao

[-]

RunninOuttaShrimp@reddit

Because they're scamming

[-]

angrycanadianguy@reddit

That or dumb. I’ve had multiple people express concerns that I could do something nefarious with it 🤦

[-]

Individual_Agency703@reddit

Hey nice avatar.

[-]

RunninOuttaShrimp@reddit

Thanks you too

[-]

Butt_bird@reddit

They are either scammers or paranoid. Some people get the front of their houses blurred out on Google maps. People are weird.

[-]

91-BRG@reddit

For the same reason people block license plates. They think there is personal information to gain

[-]

reedzilla76@reddit

I don’t buy the carfax. The buyer can buy it and I’ll reimburse them if they wanna buy the vehicle.

[-]

bonestamp@reddit

It's extremely rare, but I guess you can technically steal a vehicle with a VIN... Dealers can create new keys/fobs from a VIN, but for obvious reasons this ability is very carefully monitored and tracked. A large theft ring was caught a few years ago when they were using a dealer in Mexico to make new keys.

https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/high-tech-vehicle-theft

[-]

Manual-shift6@reddit

The VIN plate is visible in the lower portion of the windshield, so why people think it’s some “secret, protect at all costs” number is something I don’t understand. It is publicly visible.

[-]

bonestamp@reddit

Ya, it's weird. Ebay shows the VIN in America and many other countries, but if you look at Europe they do not show the VINs because it is considered private there.

[-]

skyHawk3613@reddit

They’re probably hiding something in the vehicles history

[-]

ridinderty@reddit

The best is when people take a picture of their vehicle for sale and cover the license plate with their thumb. LOL, gets me every time

[-]

Hersbird@reddit

Go look at the vehicle and write it down or take your own picture. The VIN is placed on a car for the whole world to see for a reason.

[-]

GoBeLikeHD@reddit (OP)

It's an hour away, why waste time and gas to kick tires.
FB Market Place, many people won't give the address until an hr or two before meeting - this guy only gave cross streets.

[-]

CrazyButRightOn@reddit

Drive by and take a photo of it.

[-]

Whack-a-Moole@reddit

People are worried about getting scammed. Find out where to steal a vehicle from, make a fake title, etc. I'm sure that's super rare, but it's a mindset none the less.

It's an old truck. Come and buy it or don't. There's plenty more takers without investing time in tire kickers.

[-]

Big_Albatross1222@reddit

It’s a truck with 180k miles on it, especially being 20 years old anyone interested in it should check the vin to see about accidents and maintenance reported to carfax. And to check for recalls.

[-]

Whack-a-Moole@reddit

It's a truck with 180k - of course it's got things wrong with it.

[-]

Big_Albatross1222@reddit

Except it shouldn’t have anything wrong with it if it were properly maintained. I’ve got multiple cars with over 200k miles and none have an issue and everything works perfectly. If it’s been neglected that lowers the value and the buyer should be aware of what services the vehicle has had at a dealer or shop. Major things like engine/drivetrain replacements should be known prior to purchase. Recalls are good to know about too, such as the airbag recall on mid 00s mopars. I wouldn’t want to buy one that the recall hasn’t been done on because it shows the owner is too lazy to take their car in for free work that could save their life which means they’re too lazy to do any other important maintenance.

[-]

Much_Profit8494@reddit

You know what the best way is to determine if a truck was well maintained or not?

Go look at the fucking thing, and do/get a in person inspection.

Carfax MIGHT tell you if it's been wrecked and repaired at a body shop that reports to carfax. - That's pretty much it.

[-]

GoBeLikeHD@reddit (OP)

But a seller refusing to give the vin before I drive am hour to see it makes me not want to waste my afternoon seeing a lemon.

[-]

Big_Albatross1222@reddit

Well since body work is typically insurance jobs it’s reported to carfax. And it’s more so about recalls and wrecks than any kind of actual maintenance although it helps if it’s been in a shop consistently that reports to carfax.

[-]

HalfFrozenSpeedos@reddit

Ringing, cloning vehicle identities and more are well known issues....

[-]

GolfShred@reddit

It's really a time saver. The first message I send is. Hello, I'm interested in your vehicle. Can you please share VIN#?

If they don't, I block that seller and move on.

[-]

Tony-cums@reddit

Yeah. Because of recalls lolololol.

[-]

Responsible-Shoe7258@reddit

You don't need a VIN to look up recalls against a certain model, or engine. You should have basic knowledge of a particular vehicle if you intend to buy one.

[-]

GoBeLikeHD@reddit (OP)

Sellers don't put in all the info and extracting something as simple as engine size can be like pulling teeth.

[-]

Responsible-Shoe7258@reddit

For sure. It's a jungle out there

[-]

Tony-cums@reddit

I was being sarcastic. The seller was hiding a shady past or a bad title.

[-]

Responsible-Shoe7258@reddit

Fair enough. I've run across a lot stinky cruddy stuff too.

[-]

Rightintheend@reddit

Knowing that a certain model has three calls, because they all do, does nothing. It matters if the vehicle is at those recalls fixed or not.

[-]

Responsible-Shoe7258@reddit

It might sway your decision to look at that model or engine....

[-]

Consistent-Day-434@reddit

You need the vin to determine. If a recall has been done.

[-]

Responsible-Shoe7258@reddit

I'm talking about doing your research before you start shopping....You are absolutely right, once you've narrowed it down to to one or two prospects.

[-]

Consistent-Day-434@reddit

You do realize that if you're looking at a particular vehicle on a lot that would literally be doing your research on it ..

[-]

Responsible-Shoe7258@reddit

Yes, and if I'm serious about that vehicle, I'll get the VIN and hammer it through DMV, NHTSA and IIHS for recalls. I don't sweat VIN number stuff until I find the right vehicle.

[-]

1453_@reddit

No VIN, no sale. Move on.

[-]

FrostyMission@reddit

Either they are scammers or they are worried you are. Most people are ignorant when it comes to stuff like this and in today's day and age a lot of folks are paranoid.

[-]

Top-Pick-2648@reddit

I have run into this too, like really? If I need a vin a can goto a parking lot and get as many as I would like for whatever car I want.

[-]

OHMEGA_SEVEN@reddit

You do not ever trust a Carfax report provided by the seller, It's a known scam.

If the sleeler actually lists the car on CarFax's website, that's different, but any seller handing you a printed CarFax is extremely sus.

People that don't offer the Vin are hiding something, there's no reason to bother with them.

[-]

geopimp1@reddit

Some people believe a fake title can be made with it. And depending on the state, it can.

[-]

spcbeck@reddit

I will add an example of an opposite situation to what most people have posted, since it sucked for me.

I parked my car in major US city that has a very confusing street layout (you can maybe guess). I then preceded to go out and get completely sauced at a bar. Trying to do the right thing, I took public transportation home, leaving the car on the street downtown. The next morning, I went to where I thought it was parked, and it was gone. I then preceded to walk up and down nearly every street in this downtown area for hours - no luck.

I called the police, who directed me to the police tow line - they said they had no record of my car being impounded, and they actually specifically told me I should report the car as stolen sooner rather than later. So I did that, which apparently is directly sent to Carfax as well.

Queue my friend calling me about 2 hours later, telling me he knew exactly where my car was. I go to the police station, fill out all the paperwork to indicate it was never stolen and I recovered it.

Carfax's website says with a provided police report, they are willing to remove these from their reports. Well, that's not actually the case. They've been giving me the run around for months, and have refused to remove it from the report. Dealerships will buy the car, but at about a 30% discount. Private sale is near impossible.

So on a Craigslist ad, I've been only providing the VIN once the person expresses interest, as my car is somewhat desireable.

[-]

Large_Fudge6833@reddit

I'm currently in the market for a Lexus ES & Toyota Avalon on FB marketplace. I'm asking for the VIN prior to looking at the car because I want to look up the service history on Lexus and Toyota .com. If the cars do not have a decent service history, I'm not going to waste my time going to look at them. I just started looking so the verdict is out on how sellers are going to respond, If they won't provide the VIN, I'm not going to even bother.

[-]

tads73@reddit

If the above comments about untruthfulness are true, its a good one question test.

[-]

niksa058@reddit

20 people who now each other controlling 70%btc and with scc out they r playing puts and calls,good luck figuring moves

[-]

rean2@reddit

Cause they want the most value out of the car and hope someone stupid will pay without checkin the VIN

[-]

SP92216@reddit

The real answer. People don’t know, this is like the “pre-purchase inspection” that everyone in Reddit seems to get, but in reality no one is willing to do, it’s BS and a waste of time. If you are going to use the VIN for a report you should be in front of the call and almost buying it. Just like when you list a car for $4900 and someone says “I’ll give you $4,300 cash” it’s meaningless unless you are sitting in front of me with the cash, and even then I will say no if you are lowballing.

[-]

milolai@reddit

there's a lot of stupid people who believe someone is going to do something nefarious with the VIN of their 12 year old rusty pos.

[-]

Much_Profit8494@reddit

"Scamming" doesnt make much sense to me. - It literally takes less than a minute to find a REAL vin number online for a scammer to pass off.

Personally I think it's just people who are sick of "time-wasters" on facebook marketplace.

It's been my experience that people who are serious about buying a car will just set up a meeting and come look at it. (especially a dirt cheap beater like you are describing).

The ones that want to discuss price, service history, etc, before they have even seen the car are never serious, and they are never going to show up.

[-]

NEALSMO@reddit

I recently sold a vehicle that I had on OfferUp and CL. Besides only being low ballers, anyone who offers a price before looking at the vehicle in person don’t follow through. When someone makes an appointment to meet before talking money are the serious ones. They can get the VIN when in person, but I’m not against sharing it with someone who asks. Posting it in the ad may give it to someone using it for a scam post somewhere else.

[-]

Much_Profit8494@reddit

When I was selling that RSX I eventually just got so frustrated with all the low-balling time wasters I just gave in.

The car was listed for 10K, and the conversations would go something like this:

Them - "Will you take 5K"?

Me - "Yep, When will you be picking it up?"

Them - *Crickets chirp.

Eventually the person that bought it paid 9K, and simply set up a time to come look.

[-]

glitterfaust@reddit

I’m a nitpicky buyer and I ended up with a pretty great car. I live in an area where there isn’t a car market. If I have to drive 4-6 hours for a car, you best believe I’m getting a car fax and an inspection on it

[-]

kycard01@reddit

When 50%+ of cars on FB are branded titles, I’m spending 20 seconds to pull a carfax before wasting an hour+ on a car I’m serious about.

[-]

jeharris56@reddit

They have something to hide. Anyway, when you show up to inspect the vehicle, it's super easy to take a pic of the VIN, and look it up.

[-]

invariantspeed@reddit

Some might foolishly think of it as doxing themselves. (Depending on the car and locality, some pretty detailed location information can be gleamed.) Not every private, non-shop seller might realize how important that info is (regardless of them not wanting to over share). If they don’t want to plaster the VIN all over the internet in the listing, fine, but they should give it in the DMs for serious inquiries. 2 Anyone who says "once someone buys it they can check out recalls" is being shifty. They’re basically asking you to buy sight unseen. An informed buy means running the VIN, doing a test drive (cold!), and doing a pre-purchase inspection. Anything less than complete cooperation on the part of the seller is a pretty big red flag. Sight unseen only makes sense for someone selling a bunch of cars which they cannot and do not want to offer any guarantee of quality but need to move the vehicles quickly (e.g. a police auction), and the lack of information should heavily depress the price. You basically have to assume the vehicle is in about the worst condition possible. Putting any of that presumed repair money towards buying the car is a poor idea. These sellers are doing you a favor. Take their advice and don’t trust them.

[-]

NuclearPopTarts@reddit

Correct. I understand a seller not plastering the VIN in photos.

But if the seller won't share the VIN with you when you message him?

Run.

[-]

Bob-Roman@reddit

The only explanation is Blue Sky.

They don’t want you to have the VIN so they can cut a fat hog.

[-]

ANYTHING_WITH_WHEELS@reddit

You’d be a fool not to do a vin check before any vehicle purchase.

If something doesn’t feel right.. then it’s most likely not right. Continue your search and don’t look back.

[-]

AccomplishedLie9265@reddit

Iv bought a ton of vehicles and never checked a vin. Never been seriously burned either. Just on the ones that had more rust than I thought and that's my fault for not inspecting them better. Never gave a vin to anyone interested in a vehicle either. If they are that interested they can come take a look and take a picture or write it down themselves

[-]

NoStandard7259@reddit

They don’t care. Someone asking for a vin is going to ask more questions about the car and be more observant which usually means a slower sale or less chance of a sale happening. They would rather quickly sell to someone who won’t ask questions and just wants to car. Pretty crap way to sell a car if you ask me

[-]

stefanlikesfood@reddit

The two times I sold a car I didn't have it listed on the post. Soooo many bots asking for it, not sure what they'd do with it now but at the time it made me scared so I kept it hidden.

[-]

ViveIn@reddit

People just don’t know it’s ok to

[-]

Substantial_Team6751@reddit

People are afraid of all sort of irrational things these days. Like they blur out their license plate number but yet they drive the car around in public where anyone can see it.

[-]

mistdaemon@reddit

There are many reasons why.

I suspect most don't want to give it out because they think that something nefarious can be done with it, so somewhat of a privacy issue, but mainly an ignorance issue. You might be able to educate some by suggesting that they do a search whether there is any issue in giving out the VIN when selling a vehicle.

They might not know what all an autofax (cheaper than carfax, as long as you get the correct domain) shows and why it is reasonable for every buyer to look at it before buying. So again an ignorance issue.

Some don't want to give it out because they are trying to hide the vehicle's history. So a scammer issue.

The example you give is quite funny, so the person doesn't think that a buyer should know if there are recalls on the vehicle before buying? That attitude is one to run away from. What else don't they want people to know until it is too late?

[-]

SyntheticOne@reddit

Agree with OP whole heartedly.

In today's market, the Carfax provided by the seller is a minimum requirement.

I for one will not be spending my money on a car that I am curious about.

[-]