Free VIN check for any Tokunbo car in Nigeria.
Enter the 17-character VIN (chassis number) from the dashboard, door jamb, or engine bay. Get a free VIN number lookup — make, model, year, engine specs, and assembly origin. No login required.
Dashboard plate
Through the windshield, driver's side base.
Door jamb sticker
Inside driver's door frame — must match dashboard.
Chassis stamp
Stamped on chassis rail under the bonnet.
Boot / under seat
Some models stamp under boot carpet or front seat.
Our free VIN decoder uses the NHTSA public database. A free VIN number lookup returns make, model, year, engine specs, drive type, body class, and assembly plant — everything you need to verify what a Tokunbo car actually is before buying.
Most Tokunbo cars in Nigeria come from the US, Canada, or Mexico — all within the NHTSA database. The chassis number checker confirms whether the seller's description matches the vehicle's manufacturer-recorded specifications.
A free VIN lookup returns what the car was when it left the factory. For what has happened since — accidents, odometer rollback, title status (salvage, flood, rebuilt) — you need a paid vehicle history report from Carfax or AutoCheck. For any Tokunbo purchase above ₦5 million, a paid history report is strongly recommended.
VIN Plate Swapping
A dashboard plate from a clean-title car is installed in a salvage or flood-damaged chassis. The plate decodes correctly; the car is structurally compromised.
Title Washing
A salvage title is re-registered in a less strict US state, then exported to Nigeria appearing as clean-title. A Carfax reveals the original history.
How to Protect Yourself
Match VIN in all three physical locations. Run a Carfax (~$40–50 USD). Commission a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic before paying.
Yes. 100% free using the NHTSA public API. No account or login required. Run as many free VIN checks as you need.
The VIN identifies a specific vehicle for spec verification, history checks, registration, insurance, and recall notices. In Nigeria the VIN (chassis number) is required for registration and ownership transfer.
Yes. Our free VIN decoder returns make, model, year, engine, body type, drive type, and origin from the NHTSA manufacturer database at no cost.
A valid VIN is exactly 17 characters — letters (A–Z, no I, O, Q) and numbers. Position 9 is a mathematical check digit. If incorrect, the VIN has been tampered with. Our tool validates this automatically.
Usually means a European or UK vehicle — outside the NHTSA database. We decode the model year from VIN position 10. For European vehicles, contact the manufacturer's official VIN service.