Selling a car

[M1969]

Is it safe when selling a 2nd hand car to giev a potential buyer the VIN number & doc ref from the V5 form so they can check the cars history prior to seeing the car?

[KJN]

You say potential buyer, if this is somebody who has contacted you and you have met them and have a phone number then I would say ok, if it's just a phone call then personally I would say no.

[M1969]

its a phone call arranging to do a viewing later in the week from a couple of hours away. I always thought you could do a vehicle check from the reg alone so couldnt see why the rest would be required. may I ask why you would be wary?

[M1969]

I do have a mobile number too of the buyer

[KJN]

I personally would be wary in case they clone a car they already have using your cars details,I agree with you people can check a vehicle just using the registration number, I dont know if by supplying the VIN number you can get a more detailed search. ( This is me on my don't trust anybody day answer.) I am guessing the car is of a good value for them to go into this much detail.

[gingejbee]

...and I would prefer a landline number as well as just a mobile number.

[heathfield]

Here's the Northern Ireland government advice on buying a car. It recommends checking that the VIN and registration numbers match the model of car being sold...

http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/checklist.pdf