Mercedes-Benz history check with the VIN decoder, for Benz cars in Nigeria.
C-Class, E-Class, GLK, ML or GLE: enter the 17-character VIN to confirm the model, engine and build. The full report adds mileage and accident records where available, theft and recalls. ₦9,900.
900M+ Vehicles in database
₦9,900 Full report
A Mercedes-Benz VIN decoder reads the model code that Mercedes stores in positions 4 to 9 of the VIN and turns it into the exact model and engine. The first three characters show where the car was built: WDB, WDC, WDD, W1K or W1N for Germany, 4JG or 55S for the United States. Carlytics then checks the VIN against 900+ million records in US, EU and worldwide databases. Full reports ₦9,900.
How a Mercedes VIN is built
Three parts: who built it, what it is, and which car it is.
| VIN starts with | What it means |
|---|---|
| WDB, WDC, WDD | Mercedes-Benz, built in Germany. WDC is used for many SUVs. |
| W1K, W1N | Mercedes-Benz, built in Germany, on newer cars. |
| 4JG | Mercedes-Benz, built in the United States: many ML, GL, GLE and GLS SUVs. |
| 55S | Mercedes-Benz, built in the United States: many C-Class saloons of recent years. |
Positions 4 to 9: the model code
Mercedes puts its model code, the Baumuster, in positions 4 to 9. It is the same code printed on the car's data card and it identifies the exact model and engine, not just the class. A C 200 and a C 300 share a badge shape but not a model code. Our decoder reads that code directly, which is why it can tell apart cars that look the same from the outside.
Positions 10 to 17: this car
The rest of the VIN identifies the plant and the serial number. On cars built for North America, character 10 is the model year. European-market cars do not always use it that way, so the report shows the model year, production year and first registration as separate fields where we have them.
C-Class, E-Class, GLK and ML/GLE in Nigeria
The Benz you are looking at was probably built in Germany or the US, and lived in Europe or America before Lagos.
C-Class and E-Class saloons
Most C-Class and E-Class cars start with WDD or W1K (Germany); some recent C-Class saloons start with 55S (US plant). A German-built saloon that lived in Europe often has dated mileage readings from inspections, which the report shows where available. Compare them with the dashboard.
GLK and GLC
Compact SUVs, mostly German-built (WDC). Check the engine in the decode: the same body was sold with several petrol and diesel engines, and a diesel imported from Europe needs the right fuel and parts here.
ML, GLE, GL and GLS
The large SUVs are often US-built (4JG). Their odometers read miles, and cars sold at salvage in the US may carry title brands. The report shows title and damage records where available. See the American used car check.
European history for a Benz
A Mercedes that lived in Europe usually left a trail.
Cars registered in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and other European countries pass regular inspections and appear in listings when they are sold. Each of those can carry a dated mileage reading. Put them in date order: the mileage should only go up. A dashboard in Lagos that reads less than the last European reading needs an explanation and a document, not a story.
German saloons are among the cars loaded for Nigeria at Antwerp and sold as “Direct Belgium”. Our Direct Belgium car check and the car mileage check explain how to read the records. For other makes, use the VIN decoder.
Mercedes recalls
Recalls apply by model and year.
The report lists recall campaigns recorded for the decoded make, model and year. A Mercedes workshop can check from the VIN whether an open campaign was carried out, and can print the car's data card if you want the full factory equipment list.
What the report shows for a Mercedes-Benz
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 a Mercedes-Benz, in order
Quick checks first.
- 1
Get the VIN
Windscreen, door pillar and papers. All three must match.
- 2
Decode it
Model and engine from the model code must match the advert.
- 3
Note where it was built
Germany or the US decides miles or km and which records to expect.
- 4
Read the full report
Mileage and accident records where available, theft, recalls.
- 5
Inspect, then pay
A Mercedes specialist before any transfer.
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
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