Looking at a used car in Cotonou? Before you hand over the money, check what the VIN says. Cars sold in Benin are routinely bought damaged at US and Canadian auctions, shipped over and repaired — and the auction photos show the state that car was really in, whatever the seller in Cotonou is telling you.
Reported accidents, odometer rollbacks, title brands and past owners — get the full history report for any VIN.
See a sample report first →
1C4RJFBG6NC175991 Copart 60487796
87,076 mi · Rear end · Salvage title
1HGCR2F89DA229788 Copart 59409706
161,136 mi · Rear end · Salvage title
JN8AS5MT4CW283704 Copart 59539926
147,413 mi · Side · Salvage title
5NPDH4AE7GH760354 Copart 58474246
145,774 mi · Rear end · Salvage title
3N1AB8CV9RY211076 Copart 51647126
169,585 mi · Side · Salvage title
7YAKN4DA4SY028417 Copart 46208416
19,021 mi · Front end · Salvage title
Population data: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)
On the windscreen at the base of the glass, on the driver-side door pillar, and on the registration document. Check that all three match before anything else — a mismatch ends the viewing.
Especially there. A dealer may hold some paperwork; a private seller usually offers only their word. The VIN record does not depend on either.
Searching the auction archive for a VIN is free. The full history report — accidents, ownership, odometer readings and title brands — is a one-off paid report, no subscription.