Accidented car check records first, then the inspection.
Enter the VIN to see damage records, salvage and write-off titles where available for that car. Then use our inspection checklist before you pay. Full report ₦9,900.
900M+ Vehicles in database
₦9,900 Full report
An accidented car can be repaired and sold as clean. Carlytics checks the 17-character VIN against 900+ million records in US, EU and worldwide databases for damage records, salvage and write-off titles where available. No record found is not proof that a car is undamaged, so this page also shows how to inspect for accident damage yourself. Full report ₦9,900.
What a damage record can show
Some accidents leave a paper trail, especially abroad. Where one exists for the VIN, the report shows it.
Salvage and write-off titles
When an insurer decides a car is not worth repairing, the car can be given a salvage or write-off title. The title follows the VIN, even after the car is repaired and shipped. Where we hold such a title for the VIN, it is in the report.
Auction and sale damage classifications
Damaged cars are often sold through auctions and listings that describe the damage: front, rear, side, water. Where such a classification is held for the VIN, the report shows it with its date.
Registry damage markers
Some countries' vehicle registries mark serious damage. Where a marker exists in the records we hold for the VIN, it is in the report.
No record found is not proof that the car was never damaged. Many repairs are paid in cash and never recorded, so treat the report as step one and the inspection below as step two.
Signs of an accidented car you can see yourself
Look in daylight, with the car clean and dry. Rain and dust hide paint and panel faults.
Panels and paint
- Uneven gaps between the bonnet, wings, doors and boot lid; compare left with right.
- A panel of a slightly different shade, or paint that looks orange-peeled or rippled along its length.
- Overspray on rubber seals, plastic trim, badges or the edges of the windows.
Bolts, welds and frame rails
- Scratched or repainted bolts on the wings, bonnet hinges and doors show the panels were removed.
- Fresh welds, new brackets or filler under the bonnet and in the boot floor.
- Kinks or repairs on the chassis rails: a mechanic sees these best with the car on a lift.
Airbags and electrics
The airbag warning light must come on when you switch on the ignition and go out after a few seconds. A light that stays on, or never comes on at all, can mean deployed airbags that were not replaced properly.
Flood signs
Silt under the carpets, rust on the seat rails, a musty smell and electrical faults point to a flood car. See the salvage and flood car check for more.
Questions for the seller and the mechanic
Ask the same questions every time. A clear answer with documents is worth more than a promise.
For the seller
- Has the car ever been in an accident, here or abroad? What was repaired, and where?
- Which panels have been repainted, and why?
- Can you show the repair invoices and the customs papers?
- What do you base “accident free” on?
For the mechanic
- Are the chassis rails, suspension mounts and floor straight and original?
- Do the airbag system and the safety electronics report any stored faults?
- Does the damage you found match any record in the report?
Our used car checklist puts these questions in order with the paper checks, and the car mileage check covers the odometer.
If the car was accidented: repair, price or walk away
An accident in the past does not always end the deal. A hidden one should.
Light, repaired and declared
A bumper or a door replaced after a small knock, declared by the seller and confirmed by a mechanic, is common on cars of any age. Ask for the invoice, check that the paint matches, and price the car a little lower than an undamaged one.
Structural or airbag damage
Damage to the chassis rails, the pillars or the floor, or airbags that went off, changes how the car protects you in the next crash. Unless a specialist confirms a proper repair, walk away, whatever the price.
Hidden or denied
If the report shows a damage record or a write-off title where available, and the seller said “accident free”, the problem is no longer only the car. A seller who hides one thing may hide others, so treat every other claim in the advert, including the mileage, with the same care.
What the report shows for an accidented car
Here is what to expect from a ₦9,900 report on a car with a 17-character VIN.
In the report
- A factory decode: make, model, model year, engine, fuel, body style and plant.
- Dated mileage records where available for the VIN, from the countries the car lived in.
- Accident and damage records where available for the VIN, for example salvage and write-off titles and auction damage classifications.
- A check against stolen-vehicle databases from the US, the EU and worldwide.
- Safety recall campaigns recorded for the make, model and year.
- Market value, known model issues and running-cost context.
Before you check
- Have the 17-character VIN ready. It is on the windscreen, the door pillar and the customs papers; a plate number alone is not enough.
- Confirm the customs duty status on Nigeria Customs CVMS or on VREG. The report does not cover customs duty.
- Book an independent mechanic to inspect the car before you transfer any money.
No record found is not proof that a car is undamaged or that its mileage is correct.
Checking for accident damage, in order
Records first, then your eyes, then a mechanic.
- 1
Decode the VIN
The make, model and year must match the advert.
- 2
Read the full report
Damage records, salvage and write-off titles where available.
- 3
Inspect in daylight
Panel gaps, paint, bolts, airbag light and carpets.
- 4
Mechanic on a lift
Chassis rails, suspension mounts and fault codes.
- 5
Then decide and pay
Only when the records, the car and the seller's story agree.
What we check before you pay for a car in Nigeria
One VIN, the records from the countries the car has lived in. These are the checks that matter most for a tokunbo car, a Nigerian-used car or a new Chinese model.
Accident and damage
The report includes accident and damage records where available for the VIN, such as salvage and write-off titles and auction damage classifications. An accidented car repaired abroad and shipped to Lagos can look clean on the lot; the record from its first life is where the repair shows. No record found is not proof the car was never damaged.
Mileage rollbacks
We put the dated mileage records we hold for the VIN in order, where available, so you can compare them with the dashboard. The weak point on a tokunbo car is the gap between the last reading abroad and the day it reached Nigeria.
Specs & equipment
We decode the factory specification from the VIN: make, model, year, engine, fuel, body and plant. Check it against the advert and the customs papers before you agree a price.
Safety recalls
We list safety recall campaigns recorded for the make, model and year. A car bought abroad and shipped to Nigeria rarely comes with its recall letters, so ask a dealer of the brand to confirm the work was done.
Flood damage
Check whether the car carries flood or weather damage records where available. Flood cars from US storms have been repaired and shipped to Nigeria before, and a flood car can fail electrically long after the sale.
Stolen car check
We check the VIN against stolen-vehicle databases from the US, the EU and worldwide. Cars stolen abroad have been shipped to Nigeria and seized from the buyer, so run this check before any transfer.
Photos
Where available, we include earlier photos of the car, for example from auctions. They can show damage, repairs or a different colour that the seller has not mentioned.
Market value
We estimate a fair market value from comparable cars, so you can tell whether the asking price is reasonable for the year, mileage and specification.
Trusted in 47+ countries, including the ones Nigeria imports from
Carlytics brings together vehicle records from 47+ countries, with 900M+ vehicles in its database, across Europe and North America, plus factory decoding for cars built in China, Japan and Korea. For a tokunbo car, that is where its earlier life was recorded.
Access data from national registries,
insurance databases, law enforcement and more.
How It Works
Carlytics checks a 17-character VIN in seconds by cross-referencing 900M+ records from 47+ countries. Enter the VIN from the windscreen, the door pillar or the customs papers, check the free preview, then unlock the full vehicle history report for ₦9,900.
From VIN to report in a few minutes. Check the free preview before you pay.
Enter the VIN
Type the 17-character VIN (chassis number) from the car or its papers. A Nigerian plate number is not enough on its own.
Check the preview
Confirm the make, model and year match what the seller told you before you pay anything.
Get the full report
Mileage and accident records where available, theft, recalls and value, in one report with a PDF you can forward.
Decide with evidence
Take the report to the inspection, ask the seller about every gap, and only then transfer money.
Why check a VIN before buying a car in Nigeria?
Nigeria spent ₦1.58 trillion importing passenger cars in 2025, and most of them arrived used. A car's history abroad does not follow it to Nigeria on paper; it follows it through the VIN.
Mileage on tokunbo cars
An odometer can be wound back between the last reading abroad and the sale in Nigeria. Dated mileage records, where available, show whether the dashboard fits the car's past.
Accidented and flood cars
Salvage and flood cars are bought cheaply abroad, repaired and sold here as clean tokunbo. Accident and damage records, where available, show what happened before the car was shipped.
Stolen abroad
Vehicles stolen in Canada have been traced to Nigeria and handed back to their owners. A theft check before payment protects you from losing the car and your money.
Year and model on the papers
Customs rules and duty depend on the year of manufacture and the exact model. The decoded year and specification help you test what the papers say.
Ready to check your vehicle?
Enter the VIN number below to get a free instant report.
Sample Vehicle Report
Every Carlytics report covers 24 sections including decoded specs, mileage history, safety recalls, theft status, market value, and cross-border import records. The full report costs ₦9,900 and is available instantly as an interactive page and downloadable PDF.
Here's an example of the comprehensive vehicle report you'll receive. Our reports provide detailed information to help you make informed decisions about any vehicle.
Toyota Corolla (2012)
1.8 L • Petrol • Automatic • Sedan
Vehicle Information
Official records
Vehicle Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if a car is accidented?
Can a VIN show accident history?
Why is there no accident record for my car?
Is "accident free" in an advert proof?
What about flood cars?
How much is the accident check?
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