Red flag to ask for vin#?

[daryl rsv4]

Selling a used vehicle on marketplace to fund my G80 and a potential buyer is asking for the vin #.

Is that a red flag or ok?

[Greg_M3Comp]

I've never had an issue with giving out my VIN in that circumstance. They may just want to run a Carfax report to see the history.

[Brandoch]

It's a red flag when the seller refuses to show the VIN.
The potential buyer can look for:

• Open recalls
• Accident report
• Lien check
• Salvage report
• Check for insurance (in some regions)
• Possible maintance records
• Verify installed options are factory or retrofit

[daryl rsv4]

Thanks guys. I have never sold a vehicle to a private party before so this is all new to me.

For payment, would the safest method be for the buyer to go with me to my bank and send a wire then and there?

[JABCAT]

Originally Posted by daryl rsv4

Thanks guys. I have never sold a vehicle to a private party before so this is all new to me.

For payment, would the safest method be for the buyer to go with me to my bank and send a wire then and there?

When I've sold vehicles private party, the buyer has met me at the bank and paid in cash. The only issue is if it's > $10k the bank makes you fill out a bunch of forms explaining where you got the $ (at least mine did). I type up a bill of sale & have it signed & notarized at the bank.

[jaffles]

I did eft in the driveway. He showed me the transaction as proof on the phone and then text it to me. He then got the key.

[davidrw]

Asking for the VIN is pretty normal most serious buyers just want to run a Carfax AutoCheck and check recalls/options, so I wouldn’t treat it as a red flag. The bigger safety piece is payment: meeting at your bank for a wire check and signing a simple bill of sale before handing over keys keeps things clean and low risk.

[Phillies8008]

I wouldn't have a problem providing the VIN – I know I'd want it. Is there really anything nefarious that could even be done with a VIN? I've alway figured if so dealers wouldn't reveal them on their websites.

[Car-Addicted]

The buyer can't do due diligence on ownership and history of the vehicle or get a insurance policy bid without the VIN

[gjk76]

Originally Posted by daryl rsv4

Thanks guys. I have never sold a vehicle to a private party before so this is all new to me.

For payment, would the safest method be for the buyer to go with me to my bank and send a wire then and there?

Private party sale isn't bad as long as both people are in it for the right reasons. VIN is perfectly acceptable to ask for and provide, usually at the onset of inquiries/negotiations.

As for money, 100% wire, it's so easy to do nowadays. I purchased my '12 E93 back in November 2025 paid with a wire upon taking delivery of the keys and the car. Wire took 2 mins to show up as "pending" in the guys account. Was super simple.

Certified Bank checks would also be acceptable, though just more legwork.

[Phillies8008]

Originally Posted by gjk76

Private party sale isn't bad as long as both people are in it for the right reasons. VIN is perfectly acceptable to ask for and provide, usually at the onset of inquiries/negotiations.

As for money, 100% wire, it's so easy to do nowadays. I purchased my '12 E93 back in November 2025 paid with a wire upon taking delivery of the keys and the car. Wire took 2 mins to show up as "pending" in the guys account. Was super simple.

Certified Bank checks would also be acceptable, though just more legwork.

I think I'd still insist on either cash or wire – bank checks can be forged and you're not going to find out until it's too late.

[gjk76]

Originally Posted by Phillies8008

I think I'd still insist on either cash or wire – bank checks can be forged and you're not going to find out until it's too late.

Agreed on the wire, just not everybody has the ability to do so. That said, a little due diligence goes a long way, Instead of depositing the certified check and hoping the funds clear, call the issuing bank and ask them to verify that the name on the check is a client and that the funds are legitimately available.

[ppointer]

I have been doing wires for most of my purchases. Always getting the VIN prior to purchase. Lets me verify what I am buying. I can get the options list for BMWs. Also, even as the buyer I often author the bill of sale, and the VIN must go on the bill of sale. There is at least one state, Florida, where you don't notarize the signature when you sign over the title, so you are at a dead end without a bill of sale when you take that signed title to another state.

I know from experience that Bring A Trailer requires a scanned copy of the title. Proves the VIN and proves ownership. Autotrader requires the VIN, so I suspect other listing sites like Cars and Hemmings would also require VIN. Then it gets published in the listing.

[daryl rsv4]

Originally Posted by jaffles

I did eft in the driveway. He showed me the transaction as proof on the phone and then text it to me. He then got the key.

What is an eft?

[Phillies8008]

Electronic Funds Transfer

[thebmw]

Originally Posted by daryl rsv4

What is an eft?

I've bought and sold cars, sight unseen for a couple decades. Almost all have been successful experiences, but I did my due diligence.

To be very honest with you, I don't think you are ready to buy/sell privately. You don't know why a VIN is important, how to transact money, or even what EFT is (which is a term that has been around for decades and is easily searchable).

If you encounter someone who is less than ethical, you will not have the experience or know-how to detect it. Consign your car, trade it in, or simply sell it to the highest dealer offer. Selling/buying privately is not for everyone. It looks like you're not selling some rare, showroom car anyway.

[ctdriver320i]

Originally Posted by daryl rsv4

What is an eft?

EFT can go through then bounce back five days later from my experience. If you are saying using a routing and account number.

[No one]

Originally Posted by Phillies8008

Is there really anything nefarious that could even be done with a VIN? I've alway figured if so dealers wouldn't reveal them on their websites.

Nor would manufacturers behind the dedicated little windshield "window" in the lower corner on the driver's side. I recall I saw it even as a configurator option back then, when you could choose more than just the colour (black, the famous only one ).

[ShocknAwe]

Normal.