Do I buy the 2008 or 2009 B??

[kdbcom]

A word of warning for security reasons it is a good idea not to include your VIN or registration number on the forum pages.

It is usual to change a couple of your VIN digits to ? or something similar and either mask or blank all or part of your reg number.

I'm afraid it's the world we live in now.

If you have already posted then you can go back and edit this info.

[nest18]

Originally Posted by kdbcom

A word of warning for security reasons it is a good idea not to include your VIN or registration number on the forum pages.

It is usual to change a couple of your VIN digits to ? or something similar and either mask or blank all or part of your reg number.

I'm afraid it's the world we live in now.

If you have already posted then you can go back and edit this info.

I was thinking the exact same thing !!

[Derek Lecours]

Mike !!!
Please do NOT post my VIN. It might give me a heart attack!
Bill, I'll try not to wander anymore because it just gets me into trouble anyway.
Derek

[brad_r]

Hey guys... I took mine off but I do still wonder what the issue is... One could read the VIN off any car in any parking lot whenever they felt like it... what's the security risk exactly? I admittedly have no clue

[nest18]

Originally Posted by brad_r

Hey guys... I took mine off but I do still wonder what the issue is... One could read the VIN off any car in any parking lot whenever they felt like it... what's the security risk exactly? I admittedly have no clue

I think it's more for fraud ... insurance related or even people that steals car ... they could use that VIN#

always be EXTRA careful with what you put on the internet

[kdbcom]

They even steal our number plates over here, put them on their cars so you get their speeding fines & parking tickets. The next trick will be using them for when they drive off without paying for their petrol / diesel from the filling station forecourt which due to the high prices is getting very common.

Brad with your VIN & Number plate they could remotely 'ring' (clone ) your car with a stolen or insurance written off one. This happened to my father-in laws car.
They could get it as you say from a car park but it is possible to mask the VIN with a piece of paper (just tried this) but I am not sure of the legality of this.
Knowing our laws you would probably face a stiffer penalty for doing this than stealing or 'ringing' the car.

Further info on VIN numbers here :- Facts about VIN Vehicle Identification Numbers

[Mike Tee]

Hehe, I have spotted 2050 smart fortwos by VIN, which is 20% of the total in Canada.....

I have every VIN of every smart and B-Class ever imported into Canada. I guess the fraudsters should get to know me then

In North America, covering your VIN is illegal, although I don't know if the US or CDN Feds enforce it (probably not). Parking enforcement is meant to use it, as are police in any investigative work they may undertake.

European smarts, even the new model, do not have visible VINs, and European law does not require it.

Just to get you going, here is my Peugeot 405's VIN:
VF3DA1139KS502323 LOL

[Vise]

So we ended up going with a 2008 B200 Turbo demo (2500kms)... black on black with CVT, we pick it up tomorrow from Downtown MB. Debated waiting for the 2009 but don't think we'd come close to the deal we ended up with so no complaints... it's the wife's car so wanted to minimize the monthly payments so I can afford my new car in the spring. She really didn't care if it was 2008 or 2009 either.

Thanks for the input all, will be back soon to post some thoughts and ask questions I'm sure.