CARTRUST
CHECK VIN
01. VEHICLE VERIFICATION

HISTORY
YOU CAN
TRUST

Buying a used car? Check its past before you pay. Enter the chassis number to see the auction record, accident and damage records, mileage readings and recalls on file for it.
02. WHY CHECK

WHY GET A REPORT

A used car's past isn't always visible on the forecourt. A report puts what's on record in front of you, whether you're buying or selling.

If you're buying

  • Buying from a yard or dealer

    Check that the mileage and auction grade match what you've been told, before you pay a deposit.

  • Buying from a private seller

    Make sure the car in front of you is the one in the records: same chassis number, model and year.

  • Importing from Japan

    See the auction grade, photos and recorded mileage before you pay the exporter, not after the car lands.

  • Checking the auction sheet

    Auction sheets can be altered before a car is resold. We show the original sheet from the auction, so you can compare the grade, mileage and damage notes with the copy you've been given.

  • Negotiating the price

    A recorded accident, a repair grade or high mileage is a fair reason to ask for a lower price.

  • Financing the car

    Lenders want to know what they're financing. Attach the report to your CarTrust financing application.

If you're selling

  • Selling privately

    Share the report with buyers so they can see the history for themselves. Serious buyers call first.

  • Backing up your mileage

    Recorded odometer readings support the mileage you're advertising.

  • Trading in or selling to a dealer

    Know what the dealer will find before you start negotiating.

Check a vehicle

A report shows what's on record for the vehicle, not a guarantee of its condition today.

03. METHOD

HOW IT WORKS

01

ENTER VIN

Type your chassis number in the search box

02

WE SEARCH

We look up the vehicle's records by its chassis number

03

PICK A PLAN

Choose the report level that fits your needs

04

PAY YOUR WAY

Card, mobile-money or crypto, fast and secure

05

GET YOUR REPORT

View your report online or download it as a PDF

MORE FROM CARTRUST

Everything around the car you're buying

A history report is the start. Get the car inspected, valued and financed, or run checks for your whole business.

Inspection

A vetted inspector checks the actual car in person: paint, engine, OBD and mileage, with a scored Buy, Negotiate or Walk-away report.

Book an inspection

Valuation

A certified valuer assesses the car on site and gives you its fair market and forced-sale value, accepted by banks and insurers.

Request a valuation

Financing

Apply online in about 10 minutes. We review your application and pass it to a financing partner, and you track every step.

Apply for financing

Business

Dealers, importers, fleets and insurers: check hundreds of chassis numbers at once, from one shared wallet at volume prices.

CarTrust for business
04. VIN REPORT

WHAT'S INCLUDED

What we look for, matched to the vehicle by its chassis number.
10%

Estimated increase in vehicle value

Buyers pay more when a vehicle comes with a verified VIN check. Add trust, add value.

View Sample Report
01

Vehicle identity check

Confirms chassis number, make, model, year, and engine details against manufacturer records.

02

Usage history

Shows how the vehicle was previously used: private, commercial, rental, or government fleet.

03

Registration timeline

Lists past registration dates and regions where the vehicle was registered.

04

Recall alerts

Checks if the manufacturer has issued any safety recalls for this model and year.

05

Safety assessment

Includes available crash test ratings and safety equipment details for the model.

06

Specs overview

Engine size, transmission type, fuel type, drive train, and key dimensions.

07

Auction photos

Original auction listing photos showing the vehicle's condition at time of sale (when available).

08

Summary insights

A plain-language summary highlighting key findings and potential red flags.

09

Auction history

Past auction listings including sale dates, grades, and final prices (when available).

10

Mileage verification

Compares odometer readings across records to flag potential rollback or inconsistencies.

11

Full report access

Downloadable PDF with all findings. Accessible anytime from your dashboard.

What a report can't tell you

  • How much history we hold depends on the vehicle. Cars sold through Japanese auctions usually have the most; others may have little or none.
  • No record of an accident or problem doesn't prove there wasn't one, only that nothing was recorded in the sources we check.
  • A report shows the vehicle's past, not how it is today. Have it inspected before you buy.
Book a pre-purchase inspection
05. VIN LOCATION

WHERE CAN I FIND MY VIN?

Your Vehicle Identification Number can be found in several places.
1

Dashboard / Windshield

Look through the bottom corner of the windshield on the driver's side. The VIN is on a small metal plate.

2

B-Pillar / Door Jamb

Open the driver's door and check the frame where the door latches, usually on a sticker with tyre info.

3

Engine Bay / Firewall

Look for a metal plate or stamping on the firewall separating the engine from the cabin.

4

Vehicle Documents

Check the logbook, insurance certificate or an inspection report.

06. TESTIMONIALS

WHAT BUYERS SAY

"Saved me from buying a car with hidden accident damage. The report showed everything clearly."

James Mwangi

Verified Buyer

"As a dealer, I check every car before purchase. CarTrust is fast, reliable, and very affordable."

Sarah Wanjiku

Car Dealer, Nairobi

"Payment was instant and the report came through within seconds. Highly recommend!"

Peter Ochieng

Verified Buyer

07. FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

View all questions in the Help Centre →

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READY TO CHECK YOUR VEHICLE?

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