Stupid question, but here I go:

by "Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
Published 07/28/2017 at 22:40

Tags: fake news
STARS: 1

Asking for a VIN from a private seller on a modern model that is known to get wrecked slightly more often than say a Malibu is perfectly reasonable, right? If I were met with a “no” or ignored, it would be logically to assume something was not the up-and-up...

I’ve found two of the same model at a dealership (although certainly not a conveniently located one...) that have similar miles and clean CarFaxes, so I have some fallback if I was really committed to the idea of *THAT* car. I prefer dealing with private sellers, but I’m gonna cover my ass.

Especially because I’m shopping for something far outside of my comfort zone.

Replies (9)

"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
07/28/2017 at 22:43, STARS: 5

It’s a reasonable question, and I would be suspicious if the seller said no.

"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
07/28/2017 at 22:45, STARS: 8

If the seller isn’t all that knowledgeable, and is a little paranoid, they might not want to share - but I’d explain why you need it, and they ought to understand. If not, then, yeah, it’s sketchy.

"Wagon Guy drives a Boostang" (gimmeboost)
07/28/2017 at 22:51, STARS: 1

I would think asking for a VIN so that you can run a Car-Fax on something is perfectly reasonable. They do want to sell their car, or they wouldn’t have listed it for sale. I can understand not putting it in an ad, but notgiving it when asked would seem suspicious to me.

"Quadradeuce" (quadradeuce)
07/28/2017 at 23:08, STARS: 3

It’s not only reasonable, it’s essential. Not disclosing a VIN is like selling a house without letting you know the address. It’s step #1 in making an informed purchase.

"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
07/28/2017 at 23:27, STARS: 0

You already know your answer. No VIN, no deal.

"TheHondaBro" (wwaveform)
07/28/2017 at 23:31, STARS: 0

Scion tC.

"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
07/28/2017 at 23:33, STARS: 1

Audi wagon? Doesn’t matter if you get the VIN, that car will see you no matter what! 

"RPM esq." (rpm3)
07/29/2017 at 04:41, STARS: 0

As a seller, I would think it was weirder if a prospective buyer didn’t ask me if I had the CarFax on hand or the VIN so they could run it.

"ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com" (ita97)
07/29/2017 at 11:55, STARS: 0

I’ve asked for the VIN when it wasn’t included in the ad. I considered it a pretty standard question to ask about a prospective car.