Questions to ask a private seller before you go see the car

By Don't Buy Blind · Updated November 1, 2026 · Sources listed below

Ask the questions by message before you drive out, so you have the answers in writing. The most important: Is the car registered in your name? What's the VIN? Is there money owing on it? Has it been in an accident? Can my mechanic inspect it? A genuine seller answers these easily. Excuses about the paperwork, the VIN or an inspection are your cue to move on.

Ownership and paperwork

Ask	Why it matters	Red-flag answer
Is the car registered in your name?	Ontario.ca tells buyers to make sure the seller is the legally registered owner	"It's my brother's", "I'm selling it for a friend"
Can you text me the VIN?	You can check the history and recalls before you go	"I'll show you in person", a VIN that doesn't match the ad
Is there any money owing on it?	Canada's Financial Consumer Agency warns that a lien can stay with the car after a sale	"It's nearly paid off" with no plan to clear it
Do you have the title / ownership in hand?	No paper, no sale	"It's at the bank", "I'll mail it"
(Ontario) Do you have the UVIP?	Private sellers must provide it	"You don't need that"

History and condition

How long have you owned it, and why are you selling? A short ownership with a vague reason is worth a closer look.
Has it ever been in an accident or had body work? Ask for the shop's invoice if it was repaired.
Do you have service records? The FTC suggests asking for the maintenance record and, if the seller is new to the car, talking to the previous owner.
Any warning lights on now? "It just needs a sensor" usually means it needs a diagnosis.
Any leaks, noises or anything that doesn't work? Asking directly gives an honest seller room to tell you.
Has it been used for rideshare, delivery or towing?
Any open recalls or warranty work done? Ask for proof that recalls were completed.

Check the VIN on the car you're looking at

See where it was built and its model year, then check its title history for salvage, flood, odometer and theft records.

The viewing and the sale

Can I see it cold, in daylight? Ask them not to start it before you arrive.
Can my mechanic inspect it? The FTC's guide says you can ask a private seller for this. A refusal tells you a lot.
Where can we meet? Ideally at the address on the ownership, or a busy public place.
How do you want to be paid? Discuss it now so there are no surprises. See our guide to Marketplace scams before paying anything.

Signs it isn't a real private seller

OMVIC, Ontario's dealer regulator, describes curbsiders as unlicensed dealers posing as private sellers, who may sell cars that are damaged, odometer-tampered or stolen. Signs often linked to curbsiding:

The name on the ownership doesn't match the seller, or the car was registered very recently
The same phone number appears in ads for several different cars
The seller asks "which car?" when you call

The FTC's warning signs for fake online car sales also apply: pressure to decide fast, a story about why you can't see the car, a request for payment by gift card or wire transfer, or extra fees after the sale.

Questions

What's the most important question to ask a private seller?

Whether the car is registered in their name, and to text you the VIN. Those two answers let you check ownership, liens, history and recalls before you go.

Is it rude to ask for an inspection?

No. It's normal, and the FTC recommends it. Offer to take the car to a shop near the seller and pay for it yourself.

Should I pay a deposit to hold a car?

Not before you've seen the car and the ownership in person. Deposit requests for cars you haven't seen are a common scam pattern.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Rules change, so check the official source before you rely on a detail.