Why Checking The Car VIN is Important Before Paying
When you run a car VIN check, you’re not just typing in a random set of numbers, you're gaining access to a detailed report that reveals the car’s true story.
This simple step helps you see beyond what the seller tells you and gives you the confidence to make a safe purchase. Here’s why it’s worth doing before you hand over any payment:
Confirm the Car’s True Identity
Running a car VIN check helps you to confirm that the car in front of you is exactly what it claims to be.
This is especially important in Nigeria, where some stolen or illegally imported cars are disguised with fake papers or cloned numbers.
By checking the VIN, you’ll know the real make, model, year, and origin of the vehicle. you don’t end up with a car that’s flagged or traced to another country.
Reveal the Car’s Full History
You can’t tell a car’s past just by how shiny it looks. A VIN check gives you access to detailed vehicle history reports, including accidents, repairs, and service records.
This helps you find out if the car has ever been in a serious crash or suffered damage that could affect its performance.
Spot Mileage Fraud Early
Mileage tampering (also known as odometer rollback) is common with imported or used cars. A seller might reduce the mileage to make the car look newer and charge a higher price.
But with a VIN check, you’ll see the car’s actual mileage history recorded over time.
Avoid Buying Flooded or Accidented Cars
Some cars shipped from abroad might have been damaged in floods or major accidents before being “repaired” and resold locally.
A car VIN report shows if a car was ever declared “flooded,” “totaled,” or “salvaged” in another country.
This helps you to avoid cars that may look fine on the outside but have hidden mechanical or electrical problems underneath.Check Ownership and Title History
A VIN check also tells you how many owners the car has had and whether the title is clean or branded.
If a car has had too many owners in a short time, it could be a red flag that something’s wrong, like recurring faults or poor performance.Knowing the ownership history gives you peace of mind and helps you make a confident decision.
Protect Yourself from Legal and Financial Problems
Some cars on the market might look like a great deal but could have hidden issues, like being stolen, marked as “salvage,” or having unpaid loans attached.
If you unknowingly buy such a car, it could be seized or you could face legal trouble later. Running a car VIN check protects you by confirming that the car is free from any legal or financial restrictions before you buy.
Where and How to Run a Car VIN Check
Before you run a car VIN check, you'll have to find the VIN on the car. This unique code is usually found in a few places, including:
- The dashboard near the windshield (driver’s side)
- Inside the driver’s door frame
- Under the hood on the engine block
- On official papers like the vehicle registration
Once you’ve found the vehicle chassis number, here’s how to run your check:
1. Use an Online Platform: Check out websites like tokunbo.io to run a VIN check.
2. Enter the VIN Correctly: Then go ahead to type in the auto VIN number correctly. Ensure to double-check it because inputting a wrong character can bring up the wrong car.
3. Review the Report: TThe vehicle history report will show you accident records, ownership details, title status, mileage, and more. Take a few minutes to go through everything.
4. Cross-Check the Details: Compare the report with what the seller told you. If there’s any mismatch, ask questions before you pay.
With these simple steps, you can close your car deal with confidence, knowing you’ve done all the right checks. Run a VIN Check Today!