VIN #s
Super Moderator
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 24,308
Likes: 42
From: SW Virginia
You can request anything but it's up to the dealer or vehicle owner whether or not they give it to you. Some are reluctant to just give out VINs because with a lot of later model vehicles, you can get a key cut for the vehicle by using the VIN. As you can imagine, it's an easy way to have a vehicle stolen. I know because it's happened here within the past two months.
That said, they may be more inclined to give it to you or offer to run the Carfax, OASIS, or whatever else you request if you're serious about buying the vehicle. Many reputable lots here will run the Carfax on request or already have it in the vehicle file.
That said, they may be more inclined to give it to you or offer to run the Carfax, OASIS, or whatever else you request if you're serious about buying the vehicle. Many reputable lots here will run the Carfax on request or already have it in the vehicle file.
Super Moderator
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 24,308
Likes: 42
From: SW Virginia
No problem buddy. That's one of the problems with trying to do long distance business sometimes. Most of the vehicles I've seen on Ebay lately have a vehicle report info bar in the vehicle description. Did the vehicle you looked at have it?
For example, this F-350 has it listed right at the top of the description:
Ford : F-350 : eBay Motors (item 290396267218 end time Feb-26-10 12:14:06 PST)
It says something to the effect of "vehicle history report".
One other thought.....if they were reluctant to give you the VIN, there may also be an underlying reason such as it being a rebuilt wreck or something like that.
For example, this F-350 has it listed right at the top of the description:
Ford : F-350 : eBay Motors (item 290396267218 end time Feb-26-10 12:14:06 PST)
It says something to the effect of "vehicle history report".
One other thought.....if they were reluctant to give you the VIN, there may also be an underlying reason such as it being a rebuilt wreck or something like that.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
I did not know that you could get a key cut from a vin #. That being said I would never buy a used car unless I got the vin#. whenever i am looking for a car I sign up for carfax, you can get it thru AAA. They keep changing there terms, but i would get the unlimited or maybe the 10 for 30 days program. I think the unlimited is gone.however I did buy a new truck in 1996 and it ended up being a lemon. they took it back about 7 months later and gave me a credit for the whole thing that got applied to a 1996. all i had to do was pay about $400 on upgrades. but the truck was a year newer. a few years later i looked up the lemon on carfax and it showed that it got sold as a demo from the dealer. 
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,517
Likes: 3
From: SE Wyoming
They either knew you very well at the dealer or they should not have given you the keys without more info. Normally you have to provide VIN, registration, ID and sometimes another form of paperwork like insurance. I've needed a key cut and even had relatives working at the dealer and couldn't get it done without all those things, 2 of which were locked in the truck at the time so it was a no go.
It is not as easy as just calling up a dealer and getting a set of keys for some VIN, not to mention any vehicle made in the last 10 years also has PATS which requires a key that the vehicle programmed. If a seller won't provide a VIN they should be avoided pure and simple.
Also in reference to the demo, there is nothing wrong with them, it is usually the car that the owners wife or the owner drove for a few months before he/she wanted to drive something else.
It is not as easy as just calling up a dealer and getting a set of keys for some VIN, not to mention any vehicle made in the last 10 years also has PATS which requires a key that the vehicle programmed. If a seller won't provide a VIN they should be avoided pure and simple.
Also in reference to the demo, there is nothing wrong with them, it is usually the car that the owners wife or the owner drove for a few months before he/she wanted to drive something else.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
that key stuff makes more sense now. I agree demos are usually fine. but my truck had the wrong gear in the transfer case so when i went to use it and i had it for a week it was all screwed up. they replaced the gear in it . took about 2 weeks. i got it back and drove it for about 6 months . I was going down the highway and the engine blew. they took the truck back as a lemon. but they must have replaced the engine and sold it as a demo.
Also in reference to the demo, there is nothing wrong with them, it is usually the car that the owners wife or the owner drove for a few months before he/she wanted to drive something else
Also in reference to the demo, there is nothing wrong with them, it is usually the car that the owners wife or the owner drove for a few months before he/she wanted to drive something else
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Sale Creek, TN
Do you mean AAA offers carfax's for their customers?
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 784
From: Simi Valley, CA
On 1990's and newer vehicles, not only can you get the key code from the VIN, but all the part numbers for all the parts for the entire vehicle as well.
All you have to do is waltz into your local dealer, pass along the VIN, tell the partsguy what parts you want, the partsguy types the VIN into the system, and...
VOILA!...all the part numbers appear on the screen.
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