Car selling question?

[Grayfox54]

I currently have a car listed for sale locally. First time I've privately sold a vehicle in many, many years. Ok, maybe stupid question, I just never heard of it before.
I've got a prospective buyer wanting me to send him the VIN number before he comes to look at it. is there a legit reason for this or is it some kind of scam?
Need a quick answer. I kinda got the guy holding a wouldn't want to miss the sale if its OK.

[FUJIMO]

He's wanting to plug it into a search engine to see what free information is on the web most likely.

[FUJIMO]

I usually vet ppl quite a bit before I give ANY information so maybe a phone call between you two to feel him out ? I do quite a bit of stuff locally online and manage

[gregintenn]

I’m guessing he’d like to run it through Carfax to see if there are any reported accidents that have been repaired. I don’t know what harm someone could do with your VIN number. They could get it looking through your windshield at the WalMart parking lot.

[peejman]

Web title search or insurance quote is my guess. 

[Grayfox54]

Ok, thanks. He seems legit and I sent him the number. Now I hope he buys it. 

[RED333]

Um,  can I hold the title, 

[tacops]

4 hours ago, gregintenn said:

I’m guessing he’d like to run it through Carfax to see if there are any reported accidents that have been repaired. I don’t know what harm someone could do with your VIN number. They could get it looking through your windshield at the WalMart parking lot.

Greg pretty well nailed it.  I buy vehicles regularly and request the VIN to complete a history check.

[GlockSpock]

Also of note, most of the time large dealerships will list the VIN information on the listing. It isn't like it's a secret per se.

[Grayfox54]

Oh well, just file for future reference. He didn't buy it. 

[gregintenn]

19 minutes ago, Grayfox54 said:

Oh well, just file for future reference. He didn't buy it. 

Unless he found something wrong, those are the people who piss me off.

[Grayfox54]

Just a tire kicker. Barely even looked at it good. 

[Capbyrd]

When I bought my bike, I was buying from a private seller in St Robert MO.   I asked him for a copy of the title so that my bank could do up the loan paperwork.  He got scared and thought I was a scammer.   It took a while to convince him otherwise and it eventually worked out cause I still have the bike.  But caution never hurts.  It will certainly weed out anyone that isn’t serious. 

[jpx2rk]

VIN #'s are a matter of public record if you know how to find it, think of all the extended warranty junk mail you receive for the NEW car you bought 6 months ago.