4 websites for verifying used cars in 2025

Buying a used car in Nigeria can be a challenge. Without the right checks, you risk ending up with a vehicle that has hidden faults, a questionable history, or even one that is stolen. Fortunately, there are reliable digital tools that help you verify a car’s history quickly and accurately.

Before investing in any vehicle, verifying its background protects you from common pitfalls such as accident damage, odometer fraud, unpaid loans, or theft. Knowing a car’s past can save you money and hassle later. When checking a vehicle history report, pay attention to the title status—whether it is clean, salvage, or rebuilt. Look out for the number of previous owners, any accident or repair history, mileage consistency, and alerts about theft or flood damage. If anything appears suspicious or inconsistent, it is best to reconsider the purchase.

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The key to checking a car’s history is the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The VIN is a unique 17-character code assigned to every vehicle, acting like a fingerprint that reveals vital information about the car. The VIN can usually be found on the dashboard, visible through the driver’s side windscreen, inside the driver’s door frame, on the engine block, or under the spare tyre. It is also listed on the vehicle registration or insurance documents.

Once you have the VIN, you can use the following websites to verify the car’s details.

NICB VIN Check Tool

The National Insurance Crime Bureau’s VIN Check Tool is free and straightforward. It primarily helps identify whether a car has been reported stolen or salvaged. To use it, visit the NICB website, enter the car’s VIN, accept the terms, and run the search. The tool allows five free searches per day from a single IP address.

VINCheck.info

VINCheck.info offers a basic vehicle report that includes specifications, ownership history, recalls, and price trends. It is useful for a quick overview of the car. Simply go to VINCheck.info, enter the VIN under “Run a Free Vehicle Report,” and click “Check VIN.”

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Carfax

For cars imported from the US, Carfax provides detailed reports covering previous owners, accident history, service records, and usage type. To use Carfax, visit the website, enter the VIN in the search bar, and review the report. Some features may require payment.

AutoCheck

AutoCheck offers a vehicle score that compares the car with similar models. It provides basic free reports but requires payment for in-depth details such as accident and flood history. Visit AutoCheck, input the VIN, and view the free summary or purchase the full report.