VMI report
 

Does anyone know where I can get a VMI (Vehicle Master Inquiry) report?

I am exporting a car I just bought to Canada. The Cdn government agency (RIV) wants one of two things to prove that there are no recalls outstanding on the car:

-Letter from MBUSA stating "no open campaigns"
-VMI showing no open campaigns

MBUSA wants $350 to print out the "no open campaigns" letter as a way of punishing people for not buying the car in Canada (and paying a higher price).

Dealer that is doing the PPI for me said "no way - it's confidential" when I asked for a VMI.

So now I am screwed and have to cough up 350 bucks for the MBUSA ripoff fee.

Anyone know where I can get a VMI? Someone could scan and email it, or fax me a copy. I'd gladly return the favor by sending you a few bucks via Paypal (beer can't be easily emailed, so this is my next best option :) :))

Ask the current owner to have one pulled. My local MB dealer gave me mine. The only personal information AFAIR is the radio code. Most of the original radios have been replaced so that isn't an issue.

Dealers don't give them out anymore, not because they are confidential but because they are now charging for them. The VMI is now part of a $50 "information kit". But you have to prove ownership and if you don't have a U.S. address they may well choose not to sell you the $50 kit even if it is a U.S. market car. If you could somehow title in the U.S. first you could probably pull it off.

Seller won't be of any help, as it's a small used car dealer. I negotiated them down on price pretty good, so they are pretty much only willing to take it to the nearest MB dealer for an inspection and that's it. I'm 99% sure if I ask them to get a VMI for me, they'll say no.

The MB dealer nearest to them is the one I called about the PPI and was told 'no VMI'. So if I can't get it from them, I'm sure this used car dealership can't either.

I am trying another MB dealer that is 10 miles further away just in case. Hopefully they will sell the $50 kit to the used car dealership for me, and I can pay the cost when I pay for the PPI.

Any other options? I really hate to pay $350 for a letter. Makes it even worse that the exact same letter used to be free but they decided to gouge people.

Some dealers still give out VMI's only not many. The only thing I can suggest is call around and you may get lucky. Or perhaps go to a local used car dealer and see if he can get one. They often have friends working at the dealership. Anyone with access to the network can pull and print one.

Well if you don't ask them I'm pretty sure the odds go up to 100%. I would ask them if it could save me $350.;)