My 1994 Ford F150 XL erroneously comes up as base model based on its VIN number.
Why?
Where does the VIN indicate XL or base?
Is there any conceivable way of getting the VIN decoder system corrected?

 

Not to be rude, but isn't XL base? I know it isn't a custom, but I thought XL was a base model? I had a 1993 XL that was a 4.9L M5OD 4X4, it had zero options. Also, I don't think those decoders on the internet are ever 100% accurate.

 

I'm trying to sell the truck. According to the buyer company's website, there was no XL in 1991-93, but there was in 1994. My truck clearly says XL on both fenders. But when I give them my VIN, their analyzer says it comes back as a base model. And that makes it worth less than half as much to them!

I was hoping there was some way to specifically identify this error or even get it corrected in the VIN system.

 

Well they "buyer" is full of it, because I had a 1993 XL. I thought XL was a base model though. What options does it have? XLT was the fancier model, XL was base, I believe, from 1992-1996. What do you think it's worth vs. what they are telling you? Have you checked on your own?

 

I appreciate your last reply, but in this situation those questions are not relevant. It's very strictly the model/trim that determines the price. Odd I know, but that's the way it is. And they are paying more than anyone else, so they are the only buyer option I have. This is why I'm trying to find a way to have the VIN show correctly.

 

I don't know where the VIN is being looked up, but there is no way that I know of to get it changed, or to show it as an XL. The vehicle indentification number is set by the manufacturer and can't be changed that I know of. It tells the engine, transmission, rear end, whether it's 4X4, even the vehicle color. I realize it's just the trim that the buyer cares about, but if the badges say XL, it can be seen, are the buyers actually looking at the truck, or is this one of those online companies who never see it until they pick it up?

 

Online company that doesn't see it until they pick it up. Do these companies ever back out when they see the vehicle? That would be a lot of wasted effort on their part, so I assumed they wouldn't back out.

Are there other companies that do this? How can I search for them or find them?

 

When I sold an old turd truck, I googled it, looked at a couple of different ones. They didn't back out, but I didn't really care as it was a pile of crap. I can't see them backing out, but nothing would suprise me. Have you tried just selling it yourself?

 

What did you Google? "companies that buy your car sight unseen?"
The one company I found came up by accident, and I'm just trying to figure out how to find another one.

 

I googled "sell my car", but what you just said would probably work. I tried selling it myself, but I hated all the low ball offers.