Don't Buy Blind is an independent project based in Toronto, Canada. It exists for one reason: most bad used-car purchases could have been avoided with ten minutes of checks before the money changed hands.
Why private sales
The big car sites are mostly funded by dealers, so their advice is built around dealer inventory. Private sales on Marketplace, Kijiji and Craigslist are where curbsiders, washed titles, cloned VINs and deposit scams happen, and where a buyer has the least protection afterwards. That's who we write for: the person about to hand cash to a stranger. We also cover the gap between the US and Canada, because a car's history doesn't stop at the border, but most reports and guides do.
On the buyer's side
We take no money from dealers or sellers. That's why we can tell you things like "screen cars cheaply before paying for a premium report" or "this warranty extension still covers the car, ask about it".
What you'll find here
- A free VIN decoder that checks the number is valid and shows where and when the car was built.
- Short guides on the scams and paperwork that catch buyers out, in the US and in Ontario.
- "Years to avoid" guides for popular used models, and a tracker of warranty extensions that still cover used cars.
- A free one-page checklist to take to a viewing.
- 60-second tips on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.
How the guides are written
Every guide is based on official sources (government agencies, regulators like OMVIC and NHTSA, and the federal title database), and those sources are linked at the bottom of each page. We're not mechanics or lawyers, so the guides are general information. When something matters, check the official source and get a professional inspection.
How the site makes money
Through a paid link to EpicVIN, a vehicle history report provider. If you buy a report after using the VIN box, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We also tell you when a report won't help, for example for a car that has only ever been registered in Ontario. Full disclosure.
Contact
Spotted a mistake or have a question? Email dontbuyblind.car@gmail.com.