[CTS_Kenny]

Ok guys, so some of you know I’ve been looking for 3.6 CTS as a DD. So I didn’t buy that blue one I posted about. Unfortunately it had more issues than I wanted to deal with.
Now I’ve found one I really like with only 51K on it. I mean it’s immaculate! Like always I went to take a pic of the VIN in the windshield and low and behold, NOT THERE! At all! Took my phones flashlight and looked and looked and NOTHING!
Has anyone ever seen this? I can’t imagine these days what they could possibly have done. The old days, yes I know how they changed VINS but these days it seems impossible as far as I know. Before you ask, YES I got the vin off the door and it seemed to checkout on the Carfax. Was told a few little lies about 1 owner and had it been wrecked etc….which those ain’t deal breakers, but with the little lies and the NO VIN in the windshield, somethings got me a bit worried. It’s almost as if the dash is pushed one way it the other to where I can’t see it.

 

[pepn3385]

I’d probably follow your gut on that one… not that I’ve seen it all, but that is awkward as hell!

 

[deshars313]

Did you bring it up to the seller? He probably would've lied anyway...

 

[northeast ctsv]

Check to see if the windshield was replaced. Installer may have covered the vin with too much Urethane. I saw this happen a few times but never completely covered.

 

[CTS_Kenny]

Check to see if the windshield was replaced. Installer may have covered the vin with too much Urethane. I saw this happen a few times but never completely covered.

My wife swears the silver plate was there but had no numbers on it. I didn’t see the plate myself, but am second guessing myself now.

Did you bring it up to the seller? He probably would've lied anyway...

I Bought it up to the guy who was selling the car for the old lady who’s car it is. I did speak to her and she seemed on the up and up, but didn’t ask her about the vin. At that point I fogured I’d do some research and figure this out. The door vin came up as this car.

I’d probably follow your gut on that one… not that I’ve seen it all, but that is awkward as hell!

Your’re prolly right! Damn good looking car tho. I mean noyce! Ugh!

 

[SofaKingSlow]

VIN is also stamped/engraved on passenger front strut tower.
Can't fake it and alterations should be obvious.

 

[Ctarb1]

Second the aftermarket windshield, sometimes the position of the window to read the vin can be off as well. As others have said there are numerous other places to check the vin.

 

[CTS_Kenny]

VIN is also stamped/engraved on passenger front strut tower.
Can't fake it and alterations should be obvious.

I remember that now. Wish I’d have thought of that when I was there. Dang it.

Second the aftermarket windshield, sometimes the position of the window to read the vin can be off as well. As others have said there are numerous other places to check the vin.

You are right and yeah I got the one off the door. I guess my concern is, IF it isn’t there( and that’s a great thought on the aftermarket windshield blocking it) then why? Maybe I’m over thinking this. It’s just weird imo
Thanks Ctarb1!

 

[MrSurly]

1. You are NOT overthinking it.
2. It is NOT OK that it's either missing or covered.
3. What kind of crap are you going to get into when a cop looks for it during a stop or inspection or whatever?
4. The only 'legit' explanation would likely be that a windshield had the "window" in its coating for VIN viewing... in the wrong place. If that happened, I'd insist on getting the correct windshield at the seller's cost.

 

[CTS_Kenny]

1. You are NOT overthinking it.
2. It is NOT OK that it's either missing or covered.
3. What kind of crap are you going to get into when a cop looks for it during a stop or inspection or whatever?
4. The only 'legit' explanation would likely be that a windshield had the "window" in its coating for VIN viewing... in the wrong place. If that happened, I'd insist on getting the correct windshield at the seller's cost.

Yes I agree, and I appreciate you reiterating that MrSurly. Wth would I tell the cop? I’ve got to get that solved before moving ahead. I hate that expression if it seems to good to be true, it probably is, bc this definitely seems to be the case here. I will be doing my work. Totally off the wall situation here. Never seen such a thing

 

[RocketSled]

I have never had a cop check my VIN, and I've been stopped plenty of times... but before getting all worked up about this, I'd go back in the daylight and look.

 

[Ctarb1]

Agreed

 

[MrSurly]

Certainly need to verify if/that it’s missing, first.


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[MrSurly]

I have never had a cop check my VIN, and I've been stopped plenty of times... but before getting all worked up about this, I'd go back in the daylight and look.

Or maybe they glanced at it and you didn’t notice?

In Texas, the DPS troopers OFTEN make a point to look for the VIN as well as the windshield-mounted registration sticker and verify the license plate number shown the sticker in small print matches the plate on the car.
All in the same location.
The city cops pretty much don’t look.


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[northeast ctsv]

The old lady owner may have left paper or other junk like an old piece of a registration or inspection sticker that could be blocking the vin.

 

[specialp]

Strut tower VIN as posted earlier is not alterable it is literally carved into the body. Aftermarket windshield is a plausible explanation. Although my replacement windshield from ppg had the slot to show the vin. So ask to see the strut tower vin

 

[RocketSled]

Or maybe they glanced at it and you didn’t notice?

Nope. Not once. Ever. And I've been stopped plenty.

And unless the cop has eidetic memory, a glance isn't going to tell 'em squat... so I'm pretty sure I'd have noticed if he (or she) was trying to read the VIN.

Maybe a "southern states" thing (though I've been stopped in FL when I had a second home there, and also never had the VIN checked)? Up here in the great North East, never. Even the time my wife got stopped in my Dodge Raider, and the cop specifically asked her if she had any weapons in the car because of the M50 machine gun bumper sticker (for a local ammo supplier), no VIN check.

 

[northeast ctsv]

I live in CT. When you buy a car out of state you need to have your vin # verified. The emission test sights that are regular service shops (not state run) are the places that also verify your vin. The inspection guy looks at the vin on the windshield to verify and then sends the paperwork to the state. Without the vin verification you cannot get your car registered.

 

[MrSurly]

My point wasn't that 'everyone has had this happen' it was that IF the VIN is NOT visible in the usual windshield spot then, at some point, it could cause a problem and simply pointing out that it's stamped other places is NOT going to relieve the fact that someone thinks your car is sketchy AF. Then, depending on their job or authority or whatever, it could cause more hassle. I would suggest not buying that problem.

 

[CTS_Kenny]

Ok so I understand and get all of y’all’s points. My wife swears there was a plate there with no number on it. I don’t remember seeing that, but with my memory who the F knows! I did speak to the 71 yr old lady again yesterday and she says she bought the car from Sewell Cadillac in Dallas in Jan 2021. The Carfax verifies that and all of her story not only adds up, but makes perfect sense(long story and I won’t bore yall). I’ve decided I’m going to take the car to Cadillac dealer for inspection and ask them what’s up with this missing VIN on the dash. If I happen to run into a cop somewhere, I wanna ask them what they would do if they ran into this situation out and about.

I agree regardless of whether the car is legit or not that it could definitely cause some issues that might be a PITA somewhere in the future. The car might just be worth it though. Something to ponder for sure