Silent Treatment when asking for VIN

[Clemson]

I'm expanding my search for a 4runner. I have found several nice vehicles in the 150-170k mile range for 4-5k on craigslist. Every time I ask for undercarriage pictures and the VIN, the seller stops responding? Is that not a normal request?

 

[HammerHead]

I'm expanding my search for a 4runner. I have found several nice vehicles in the 150-170k mile range for 4-5k on craigslist. Every time I ask for undercarriage pictures and the VIN, the seller stops responding? Is that not a normal request?

That is a normal request and if they don't answer I'd just move along. Just tell them you want to run a CARFAX report. Shouldn't be a big deal

 

[jgue467]

If no underneath pics, there Is a reason ya' know?

Look for southern vehicles and that problem won't exist, yeah shipping can be $700+ but hey no rust! :cowboy:

 

[Yukon4Runner]

Yep, photos of the undercarriage and a VIN are normal requests...if they go silent, just move along.

 

[JayRolla]

If they wont answer for VIN, 90% of the time its a salvage title.

 

[Clemson]

Thanks. I'm located in SC. Rust should not be too bad unless the vehicles come from somewhere else. I'll keep moving along. I know these low milage vehicles will sell fast, so maybe people closer by are not bothering with pictures. I would think anybody would want to run a carfax, just to see what it says.

The search sucks.

 

[Sean K.]

Thanks. I'm located in SC. Rust should not be too bad unless the vehicles come from somewhere else. I'll keep moving along. I know these low milage vehicles will sell fast, so maybe people closer by are not bothering with pictures. I would think anybody would want to run a carfax, just to see what it says.

The search sucks.

I'd be hesitant to give a VIN until I knew the buyer was very serious and if he wanted the VIN, I wouldn't give him my home address and instead meet them somewhere....you can call the dealer with the VIN and pick up a key.

 

[Clemson]

I'd be hesitant to give a VIN until I knew the buyer was very serious and if he wanted the VIN, I wouldn't give him my home address and instead meet them somewhere....you can call the dealer with the VIN and pick up a key.

I have not even looked into any vehicles from dealers/car lots yet. Everything I have inquired about have been from private sellers. The dealers posting on Craigslist worry me.

 

[Sean K.]

I have not even looked into any vehicles from dealers/car lots yet. Everything I have inquired about have been from private sellers. The dealers posting on Craigslist worry me.

Oh, I don't think there's a single thing wrong with asking for it....or running a Carfax.....I was just explaining why a seller might be reticent to give you that information.

 

[rkntoy]

If they have pics of the license plate you don't need a VIN for CarFax.

 

[Sean K.]

If they have pics of the license plate you don't need a VIN for CarFax.

Well, except in AZ where the plate can potentially stay with the owner, not the vehicle when sold....so you could have various numbers of vehicles attached to one plate number.

 

[Tyler James Inc]

If they have pics of the license plate you don't need a VIN for CarFax.

I've switched plates on several cars, as well as kept plates when selling vehicles.
Where can you find info on a vehicle from the plate?
I don't hesitate to give anyone the VIN for a vehicle I'm selling.
1- The dealer needs proof the vehicle is yours before they will cut you a key from the VIN.
2- If they find where I live, have a key made AT A DEALER that will have cameras etc, and can successfully steal my vehicle- by all means, take it! [emoji23]

Asking for a VIN and undercarriage pics is normal.
$4-5k for 150k mile rigs, however, is not normal...

 

[Clemson]

I've switched plates on several cars, as well as kept plates when selling vehicles.
Where can you find info on a vehicle from the plate?
I don't hesitate to give anyone the VIN for a vehicle I'm selling.
1- The dealer needs proof the vehicle is yours before they will cut you a key from the VIN.
2- If they find where I live, have a key made AT A DEALER that will have cameras etc, and can successfully steal my vehicle- by all means, take it! [emoji23]

Asking for a VIN and undercarriage pics is normal.
$4-5k for 150k mile rigs, however, is not normal...

Not normal as in high or low?

 

[Sean K.]

I've switched plates on several cars, as well as kept plates when selling vehicles.
Where can you find info on a vehicle from the plate?
I don't hesitate to give anyone the VIN for a vehicle I'm selling.
1- The dealer needs proof the vehicle is yours before they will cut you a key from the VIN.
2- If they find where I live, have a key made AT A DEALER that will have cameras etc, and can successfully steal my vehicle- by all means, take it! [emoji23]

Asking for a VIN and undercarriage pics is normal.
$4-5k for 150k mile rigs, however, is not normal...

And yet people get keys from dealers without providing such proof. I wasn't saying it was a huge risk...just a reason why someone may not be forthcoming with that info.

 

[Tyler James Inc]

Not normal as in high or low?

That's SUPER low price if it was in Oregon.
'99+ with 180k will sell for $5,500 in a heartbeat- with a branded title. The market here might be higher due to having zero rust issues whatsoever- but I don't know. My '97 doesn't have any rusty bolts underneath- much less any frame rust.

And yet people get keys from dealers without providing such proof. I wasn't saying it was a huge risk...just a reason why someone may not be forthcoming with that info.

I was not aware of such events, as whenever I have gotten a key made, there wasn't a chance they would even give me the time of day without proof. I suppose I am a little naive on this.

 

[Clemson]

Vin Numbers are printed on the windshield of BMW's. I was not aware that they were something to keep secret.

 

[Sean K.]

That's SUPER low price if it was in Oregon.
'99+ with 180k will sell for $5,500 in a heartbeat- with a branded title. The market here might be higher due to having zero rust issues whatsoever- but I don't know. My '97 doesn't have any rusty bolts underneath- much less any frame rust.

I was not aware of such events, as whenever I have gotten a key made, there wasn't a chance they would even give me the time of day without proof. I suppose I am a little naive on this.

It's kinda like getting a "fake" real driver's license issued by your state DMV....all it takes is one dishonest employee.

 

[Sean K.]

Vin Numbers are printed on the windshield of BMW's. I was not aware that they were something to keep secret.

They're on the dash of most all vehicles and have been for years. Which is why you see a lot of folks putting electrical tape over them.

 

[Clemson]

I hope this is not a common concern. I'm not driving three hours to check something out without a Carfax and some assurance the frame is not rusted.

 

[csp]

Carfax isn't that accurate. I traded in a vehicle that had hit a deer at 70mph and had $14k in damage to. Carfax showed it as clean with no collision work ever done to it.