With the increase in the VIN cloning incident, many clients frequently ask us – “is it safe to share VIN numbers with potential buyers?” Well, being the number one car removal in Sydney, we have come up with all your answers. So, keep on reading this article.
Giving up the VIN number while selling an automobile is generally safe. However, depending on how you sell your car, this approach may be both advantageous and harmful. In general, it is best to only disclose the VIN to a prospective buyer or a licensed dealer.
But what are the advantages and risks of disclosing your VIN? Let’s examine all the crucial information that might guide your decision-making.
What actually is a VIN number?
The 17-character code that identifies your specific car is called the Vehicle Identification Number. Think of it as your DNA or fingerprint. Details about the car’s history, place of manufacturing, model, exact make, and trim levels can all be found in VIN. It is used to link various information, including licence plates, insurance, registration, and owners.
If you are the sole owner of the vehicle, you can find the VIN on the registration. However, one should be aware of VIN cloning, which is used by many thieves nowadays to get rid of the charges of larceny.
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VIN vs. VRN: What’s the difference?
Both the term VIN and VRN (Vehicle Registration Number) are quite common. However, many don’t know the actual difference between them.
VIN and VRN are alike in the sense that they both are exclusive and unique for one vehicle. However, the major difference among them is that the Vehicle identification number remains the same for one vehicle whereas the registration number can be subject to change.
VRN is equivalent to a license plate number; hence you can make it uniquely yours. While travelling to a new state or country you need to change the number plate. But, VIN remains the same as your fingerprint.
What exactly is VIN cloning?
The process of VIN cloning is extremely complicated and unethical. This is when someone steals a vehicle without the owner’s knowledge, possibly at a parking lot or dealership, and records the VIN so they can use it to change the paperwork.
The stolen car subsequently receives a legal VIN plate from a registered vehicle, typically from a completely different area, in order to hide the theft.
Another method of VIN cloning involves the theft of a VIN plate from one vehicle, and its subsequent welding to the frame of another vehicle of the same make and model.
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Is it really safe to share your VIN number?
Are you planning to get a new car by selling your old one? Although selling a car or any automobile is difficult, it is always good to have some basic idea to avoid any adversities in future.
Your Vehicle identification number will not be at secure as, say, your credit card number or home address. Actually, it is visible to anyone passing by and is seen through the windscreen of most vehicles. Again, the question arises is it really safe to share it with your buyers?
There is no doubt that using this method can help you finalize a deal more quickly and boost the transparency of the transaction. However, some infrequent but serious dangers may discourage you from going public with your VIN on the web.
Hence, always verify the authenticity of a buyer’s interest in purchasing the vehicle before disclosing the VIN number. However, you must disclose the VIN number if you are selling or trading your car with a dealer.
What benefits do I get by sharing my VIN with potential buyers?
• Improved Sales: Customers always want to see the vehicle identification number (VIN) so they can check the vehicle’s history. By doing this, consumers can be certain that they are choosing the best price and that the seller won’t set it too high.
• Greater Faith in One Another: A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) provides information about the vehicle’s age, manufacturer, model, and previous owners. Because of the seller’s openness, the buyer can be assured that they are not being taken advantage of.
• You can get genuine buyers: Sincere buyers who won’t try to trick or con you will be drawn to you if your relationship is built on openness and honesty.
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What are the things to consider before sharing your VIN?
- It’s important for sellers to be wary of frauds like VIN cloning. Just make sure you have your paperwork in order and a valid title, and you are good to go.
- It’s best to meet potential buyers in person and only give them the VIN if they seem serious about making a deal.
- Don’t put your VIN in ads on the internet or on signs, brochures, or vehicles.
- Make sure the VINs on the paperwork and the vehicle match when seeking to purchase a secondhand vehicle.
- Also, you should be careful when sending your VIN by text message or email.
- Don’t put a listing for your car for sale on forums or websites like Craig’s List.
- In addition to looking up the car’s past, a prospective buyer may want to check the make, model, and other information. You may initially feel this is unnecessary, but it is vital to safeguard the buyer against fraud.
- Make sure you trade with trusted dealers in Sydney.
Can a VIN number be used to obtain personal information?
Even if the title connects the owner with the VIN, no personal information can be obtained from the paperwork. They are authoritative sources for vehicle data but reveal nothing personal about the owner. No information about your bank account, credit card, or social security number will ever be made public.
Nobody will be able to contact you even if your name will be on the title and address. The only means to contact prior owners in the event of wrongdoing is through law enforcement. To put it another way, your data is secure.
How can I check the VIN?
If you are on the other side of the transaction and are the one purchasing the vehicle, checking the VIN is essential. You may get all the information you need to make a decision on the price of the car from this. You can get the VIN in following ways:
•Check online, thanks to the many options the internet provides.
• If you don’t like looking through windscreens, look up a vehicle using its license plate number.
• Additionally, a VIN decoder is available. It is a helpful app that aids in number decoding.
• You can look at a number of really intriguing products that can help with VIN decoding.
To sum up
Sharing your VIN appears to be both secure and professional. It shows your excellent intentions and makes you more credible. Since this information is not classified as highly secret, you can freely share it. Additionally, it won’t compromise the security of any of your private information.
Car Removal Cash for Car Sydney is one of the most trusted Car removals in Sydney, where you can share your VIN without any doubt. This will only lead to more transparency and openness among our clients.