Anyone bored and have access to a VIN database?

Wasn't sure where to post this... but I'm considering buying a vehicle and the seller just seems kinda sketchy about it. I know there's a lien on it now but I wanted to make sure that was it. Here's the VIN:

JKAEXMJ139DA23548

If someone wouldn't mind checking that at some point today I would be eternally grateful

 

Doing a Carfax would reveal any hidden secrets about that car (accidents, repairs, etc), I am pretty sure the only thing a VIN does is tell you what the car came with from the factory.

 

What do you feel is sketchy about it? Options? Accidents? Stolen?

 

Yeah just do a Carfax.. That will tell you anything sketchy about repairs ect. If someone here works at a Toyota dealership they could run the vin and wee what warranty work has been done thats about it.

 

Carfax goes by what is reported at the insurance company, IF that even gets logged. Sometimes it will take up to 8 months for that to be done. If a repair is paid for or done without insurance getting involved, carfax will not know.

ANYONE can run the VIN to see what warranty work was done. Heck, I've done it for two people at work who have Tacomas. That's how they found out about the certain recalls on their particular truck. Carfax costs money. Doing it online via Toyota is free. Not even sure if that vin belongs to a Tacoma. It doesn't look like a Tacoma vin.



And it's not just warranty work that you can see. You can see ALL work or complaints that was done or noted at the dealership. You can also tell if it's been reported as stolen, through a different database.

 

Something just seems fishy about the loan on it... The lady seems pretty legit but they had two nearly identical Kawasaki Ninjas and sold both but said the second sale fell through cause the guy's loan didn't get approved. Getting the title involves her driving to Topeka (the state capitol for those of you not familiar with Kansas haha, about a 3 hour drive from here). I just cannot figure out why she wouldn't have gotten both titles at once if she knew she was selling both. On top of that I'm almost positive she said she owned it outright the first time I looked at it. I think everything still seems ok but my dad seems to think something's up and he obviously has much more experience buying and selling stuff than I do. I've never dealt with a bank in buying anything so far so I've just been taking her word for what needs to happen. She now wants to go to her bank with me, I pay off the loan (I think) and get a lien release? form and bill of sale. I take possession of the bike and the title gets mailed directly to me in about 2 weeks when the lien release is processed. Is this legit? I am having trouble seeing where I could get ripped off, unless they plan to hijack me somehow with the cash in hand

Anyway, I just wanted to know if anyone could tell me mostly how much is still owed on the loan by the VIN (I didn't know if that was accessible to anyone else or not if they might work in finance) and if there were any other history things someone who maybe had a carfax subscription could run for me. If it goes through I will have a very nice deal on a very nice bike (and yes, pics will of course be posted somewhere or other)

 

BTW I tried a few free VIN checks (carfax free preview showed 0 results, NICB showed it was neither stolen nor salvaged, haven't found much else)

 

I just went through something last month when I bought a car. The owner said he paid it off last year but they didn't send the pink. Originally it was understood that if I buy it with the bill of sale and we do a transfer of ownership, then it's mine. Now thats with HIM HAVING IT PAID OFF.

At this point you are not sure if it's paid and in order for you to have it transferred to your name the bank that has the lien on it would have to sign it off, with notary in order to release it fully to her. If it is NOT paid off, then they won't do it until it is.

I suggest that she pays it off first, gets you the pink and then she can deposit the money you give to her to make up for the payoff. Don't get any deeper into it than you have to. SHE'S trying to sell the bike, let her do the footwork.

 

Chris, they will issue the pink to the lady and then she has to sign it over to him, since the account is under her name. They don't care who this guy is, or where the money came from. They will not give him any pinks. She has to sign it off and DMV will take care of the ownership change, so no use him going there with her.

 

No, you didn't mention pinks, but isn't the pink the title?? ..... I had assumed you meant so that the bike would then be considered "his", since the money is being paid by him. My apologies.

But yes, I can see going with her to pay it off directly then that way he KNOWS the money was used to pay it free and clear.

The pink would then be sent to her in a few days if they don't give it to her immediately right then and there. But if they do, then I would suggest they go to DMV and have it changed right away in case there are any unpaid parking tickets or violations on it that she needs to clear. Trust me on this one. My friend was just handed the pink and when he went to register it, DMV would not do it until the 2k, in parking violations were paid...by SOMEONE.

 

What she wants to do now:

Me (it will actually be my dad going cause I'm "working" and can't get there before 5) accompany her and her husband to the bank. They're calling it a lien release that we'll get from the bank as well as a bill of sale. We can then take possession of the bike. They have never owned it technically, the bank still holds the title. After the payment clears and is processed, the bank will mail the title directly to me and then I can go register it in my name and pay sales tax and whatnot. I elected to go this route because I have to go to the bank with her either way. Our alternative is that I go with to pay off the loan and she goes and gets the title herself and then transfers it to me. The way I elected to go saves her a trip to Topeka plus the title is never in her hands (safer IMO). Thanks for the heads up on unforeseen fines babytruck... I'll make sure there's a clause in the bill of sale stating that all outstanding fines are paid off. They are going to the bank at about 3 today so I'll keep everyone posted... Hopefully have the bike in my garage tonight.

 

Good luck Matt. Sounds like the way to do it.

 

Well all is well so far. The bank threw a wrench in it at the last second and the owners have to go to the DMV themselves to get the title mailed then sign it over to me. Since they were wrong and (unintentionally, I believe) misled me they are driving to Topeka to pick the title up directly and will sign it over to me once they have it rather than wait forever for the state to mail it to me. As of now I have a loan release, bill of sale, and most importantly this:



My dad rode it to my house and that's the last it's getting ridden until I put my frame sliders on it. I'm gonna teach myself in the back yard before venturing out to get my license. So far I'm satisfied, I'll update when I have the title in my posession

 

Aaaaand title in hand. Her husband drove there today and waited 4 hours in line to get it for me. They also threw in a jacket and gloves in the end. They ended up being real nice stand up folks and proved that there are decent people on craigslist not trying to rip you off.