Any reason to give out the vin number ?

[mikerallye]

I have had cars in the past for sale, and sometimes the buyer will ask for the vin number. Is it a safe thing to give out?   

[Alaskan_TA]

The VIN is the cars name. Personally, if the seller will not give it out, I look elsewhere.

Why hide what the buyer or potential buyer can see in person when he shows up? It has never made any sense to me. 

[pink panther]

the buyer probably just wants to see what the car was born with, compared to what it is now. usually thefirst 6 or 7 digits are mostly what people give out

[69bronzeT5]

Exactly what pink panther said. Tell the first 6 or 7 digits. For example if you were selling a '69 Charger....XP29F9B123456....you could only say XP29F9B. That will tell a lot about the car without giving out the sequence number (the security issue is there).

[Super Blue 72]

  I agree with what everyone's said.  If you feel nervous, don't give out the last 6 digits (sequence #). 

I think it's necessary to give out at least part of a VIN.  Could make the difference between a base Challenger and an R/T depending on the year, a Firebird vs a Formula vs a Trans AM, etc... engine options, etc...

[Alaskan_TA]

JH23J0B311229 - No it is not for sale, & no I do not care if the whole world knows what it is.