2days ago FRSC bayelsa command identified a stolen honda EOD which was being registered for the new plate number. To the 2nd owner, he bought a tokunboh car from lagos, brought it back to bayelsa and went ahead to register for d new plate number. It was dia dat FRSC discovered on dia system dat the car had been registered. Dy pulled d original information on the car nd called d phone number d car was registered with. The original owner picked and confirmed her car was stolen on 9th of september at gunpoint. Meanwhile the new owner purchased the vehicle on the 19th of september. The woman came down to bayelsa with her husband. The car, original owner and d 2nd owner were handed over to police. Kudos to the new vehicle registration scheme. The question is, hw wud one avoid purchasing a stolen vehicle. Wat r d tips or measures one shud take. Wat d signs dat shuyd raise suspicion. Ur input is needed. Anybody can fall victim

No input yet? This can help a lot of people. House, pls contribute

chukel: No input yet? This can help a lot of people. House, pls contribute

don't know o....waiting anyway

Maybe by adequately checking all the documents that came with the car...just maybe but it maybe difficult to detect.

Price may be cheaper, e.g. someone offering a so called 2009 Camry for 900k, be careful of such. Seller may be in a hurry, pleading with you to buy at a very cheap price, be careful. Awoof dey run belle o. One man in Akure took bank loan to buy a "tokunbo" 2004 Nissan Pathfinder for N800k, a car of about 1.5 million. He even go church go share testimony of "God's favour" lo and behold, the car was stolen from Lagos and sold to him in Oshogbo, what saved him was that the dealer who sold the car to him and one of the thieves who snatched the car were caught. However, I heard that he spent more than a million naira for police, lawyers and spiritualists before he was let off the hook.

no one factor is price

I have had plans on so many ocassions to buy a car from Nairaland but never found a good one at the right price and time. Am still searching.

Family and friends have warned me not to buy from nairaland due to 2 issues; fraudsters and stolen vehicles.

I was of the opinion that to absolve myself from prosecution for receiving stolen property, i will ask my seller to join me with the car to a police station where we will demand for a police report and thereafter go to court for change of ownership registration. With that, i believe, i the buyer may be free from prosecution. Ofcourse, police report is a little issue as they may make you pay through your nose. The court i believe charge as little as N200 (in the north o). An option is for the buyer and seller to take the car to any FRSC office to confirm if its not stolen. All these should be carried out b4 money is transfered to the seller. It also means the seller must be willing to leave his business to do that. If the car was bought from a registered auto dealer, then a reciept or an invoice should protect the buyer from prosecution if car is later discovered to be stolen. The auto dealer should be responsible but the Nigerian security system will be so quick to lock you up even with a reciept from the company.

Someone with better experience can tell us if my opinion will work or better ways for us buyers to protect ourselves from the police. On instances like this, the police are known for locking up everybody that has his name mentioned.

For naija used car, only buy from a registered auto dealer, with his complete reciepts acting as transfer of ownership too. I say this because vertually all car documents can be easily faked and be undetected. Just do this to safeguard urself and hope hope for d best.
But if u r buying from individual known to youl , u both should take the car to vio inspection centre before any further dealings.

my suggestion is that when you want to buy a naija fairly used car, copy down the registration number (plate number) and go to the any police station and ask them to help you check if it has ever been reported stolen before. tell them you want to purchase the car, simple. but it will cost you a small bucks sha.

Issyman: my suggestion is that when you want to buy a naija fairly used car, copy down the registration number (plate number) and go to the any police station and ask them to help you check if it has ever been reported stolen before. tell them you want to purchase the car, simple. but it will cost you a small bucks sha.

This does not guarantee that it was not stolen or save you from prosecution. If it were stolen and not immediately reported, not even the police will know. Even if the police tell you it is not stolen a buyer will still be in trouble. Besides the police just told u it is not stolen which will not hold in a court when u are prosecuted. You need a document from the police that it is not stolen.

adanny01: I have had plans on so many ocassions to buy a car from Nairaland but never found a good one at the right price and time. Am still searching.

Family and friends have warned me not to buy from nairaland due to 2 issues; fraudsters and stolen vehicles.

I was of the opinion that to absolve myself from prosecution for receiving stolen property, i will ask my seller to join me with the car to a police station where we will demand for a police report and thereafter go to court for change of ownership registration. With that, i believe, i the buyer may be free from prosecution. Ofcourse, police report is a little issue as they may make you pay through your nose. The court i believe charge as little as N200 (in the north o). An option is for the buyer and seller to take the car to any FRSC office to confirm if its not stolen. All these should be carried out b4 money is transfered to the seller. It also means the seller must be willing to leave his business to do that. If the car was bought from a registered auto dealer, then a reciept or an invoice should protect the buyer from prosecution if car is later discovered to be stolen. The auto dealer should be responsible but the Nigerian security system will be so quick to lock you up even with a reciept from the company.

Someone with better experience can tell us if my opinion will work or better ways for us buyers to protect ourselves from the police. On instances like this, the police are known for locking up everybody that has his name mentioned.

Police and court documents in nigeria as fake document, even the policemen will disregard their own documents.
So do nt count on it.

alpha conde:

Police and court documents in nigeria as fake document, even the policemen will disregard their own documents.
So do nt count on it.

If the police and court would not admit their own documents, what makes you think a reciept from a registered car dealer is a valid document? A police report is always written on a police letter headed paper duly signed by a DPO (all police reports i have seen). I better have that than count on the word of a police officer.

Tnks for ur input. Has anyone had a case of innocently purchasing a stolen vehicle nd how d whole issue played out? We may learn 1 or 2 things from dat. If we can figure out how to kn stolen vehicles and avoid purchasing dem, we wud makE business difficult for car thieves.

Good topic but people have still not yet made important suggestions. I want to buy a car for which I ran an AutoCheck. The AutoCheck reveals that the car was shipped to Cotonou in 2013 but the dealer is claiming that it's toks (in 2016). I will like to investigate whatever caused the 3 years lacuna. I'll like to know if it's Nigeria used & is being diabolically projected as toks. There is no plate number to verify with. my people, your advice is highly needed. The car is a Toyota avalon 2005/06 Touring

Only if this topic can be moved to front page, it would have gathered the attention needed.

dyrocks204:
Good topic but people have still not yet made important suggestions. I want to buy a car for which I ran an AutoCheck. The AutoCheck reveals that the car was shipped to Cotonou in 2013 but the dealer is claiming that it's toks (in 2016). I will like to investigate whatever caused the 3 years lacuna. I'll like to know if it's Nigeria used & is being diabolically projected as toks. There is no plate number to verify with. my people, your advice is highly needed. The car is a Toyota avalon 2005/06 Touring

I don't know how true the auto check is. I believe it's not supposed to tell you what port the car was sent to according to my limited knowledge Sha.

There is no how you can identify a tokunbo car used in Nigeria regularly for long distance. If your report is true, ask the owner what port the car came in through to Nigeria, if he says tin can, then walk away from the deal.

Go under the car, a Nigerian rocked tokunbo would have the plastics covering the body highly misaligned, muddy under neat, engine seat probably soaked with oil like muddy water. Ask the owner when the car came into the country by verifying from the custom document, then do a Vin check, the last time the car was registered abroad crossed checked with the custom clearance date will tell a lot about the car

nurey:


I don't know how true the auto check is. I believe it's not supposed to tell you what port the car was sent to according to my limited knowledge Sha.

There is no how you can identify a tokunbo car used in Nigeria regularly for long distance. If your report is true, ask the owner what port the car came in through to Nigeria, if he says tin can, then walk away from the deal.

Go under the car, a Nigerian rocked tokunbo would have the plastics covering the body highly misaligned, muddy under neat, engine seat probably soaked with oil like muddy water. Ask the owner when the car came into the country by verifying from the custom document, then do a Vin check, the last time the car was registered abroad crossed checked with the custom clearance date will tell a lot about the car

Thanks nurey. The AutoCheck actually said the car was shipped to Benin Republic in Feb, 2013 (it didn't say Cotonou port exactly) and it was last registered abroad that same 2013. From the custom clearance paper, the car reportedly came into Nigeria through Seme border (dealer confirmed this also) and the date was May 2016.

Below is the VIN check report:

Hello,

This Autocheck report has been provided at no cost by AuctionExport.com your key to the North American auto auction:

2005 Toyota Avalon Limited / Touring / XL / XLS
One ownerOne ownersCalculated Owners: 1
Class: Mid Range Car - Premium
Engine: 3.5L V6 EFI
Country of Assembly: United States
Vehicle Age: 11
Calculated Owners: 1
VIN: 4T1BK36BX5U018322
Year : 2005
Make : Toyota
Model: Avalon Limited / Touring / XL / XLS
Style/Body: Sedan 4D
This vehicle's AutoCheck Score
57 - 76 69
The AutoCheck Score is a summary of your vehicle's history. It lets you compare similar vehicles with ease.
About the AutoCheck Score
This vehicle qualifies for Buyback Protection
Buyback
Safeguard your investment with AutoCheck Buyback Protection. It reduces the risk in buying a used vehicle.
About Buyback Protection

Accident Check
Reported Accidents: 1

Title and Problem Check
Your vehicle checks out

Odometer Check
Your vehicle checks out
Last Reported Odometer: 137,830

Vehicle Use and Event Check
Specific vehicle use(s) or events reported
View Detailed Vehicle History
Accident Check
Not all accidents / issues are reported to AutoCheck

Information Reported: AutoCheck shows accidents reported to AutoCheck for this 2005 Toyota Avalon Limited / Touring / XL / XLS (4T1BK36BX5U018322). Below you will find the date and location reported for the accident. Not all accidents or damage events are reported to AutoCheck.

Accidents Reported on This Vehicle
Accident No. Reported Date Location
1 06/13/2008 JOHNSON COUNTY, KS
Reported accidents or damage events are a result of vehicle collisions or other non-collision incidents such as vandalism or theft. Not all accidents or damage events are reported to AutoCheck.

Title and Problem Check
Your vehicle checks out: AutoCheck's database for this 2005 Toyota Avalon Limited / Touring / XL / XLS (4T1BK36BX5U018322) shows no negative titles or other problems. When reported to AutoCheck, these events can indicate serious past damage or other significant problems, and disqualifies the vehicle for AutoCheck Buyback Protection. Check the Vehicle Use and Event Check for reported accidents that can affect vehicle safety and value.

0 Problem(s) Reported: 15 Title/Problem areas checked:
No abandoned title record
No damaged title or major damage incident record
No fire damaged title record
No grey market title record
No hail damage title record
No insurance loss title or probable total loss record
No junk or scrapped title record
No manufacturer buyback/lemon title record
No odometer problem title record
No rebuilt/rebuildable title record
No salvage title or salvage auction record
No water damaged title record
No NHTSA crash test record
No frame/unibody damage record
No recycling facility record
Odometer Check
Your vehicle checks out: AutoCheck examined the reported odometer readings reported to AutoCheck for this 2005 Toyota Avalon Limited / Touring / XL / XLS (4T1BK36BX5U018322) and no indication of an odometer rollback or tampering was found. AutoCheck uses business rules to determine if reported odometer readings are significantly less than previously reported values. Not all reported odometer readings are used. Title and auction events also report odometer tampering or breakage.

0 Problem(s) Reported: Mileage Date Reported
42 05/20/2005
137,326 11/05/2012
137,830 12/08/2012
137,830 01/28/2013
Vehicle Use and Event Check
Information Reported: AutoCheck shows additional vehicle uses or events reported to AutoCheck for this 2005 Toyota Avalon Limited / Touring / XL / XLS (4T1BK36BX5U018322). This includes reported vehicle uses such as rental or lease, and events such as whether the vehicle has been reported to have had a loan/lien or duplicate title issued. Other events show if the vehicle has a reported accident and how many calculated accidents or if it has been reported stolen or repossessed. It is recommended to have pre-owned vehicles inspected by a third party prior to purchase.

0 Event(s) Reported: 6 Vehicle uses checked:
No fleet, rental and/or lease use record
No taxi use record
No police use record
No government use record
No livery use record
No driver education record
1 Event(s) Reported: 9 Vehicle events checked:
1 Accident record(s) reported through accident data sources
No corrected title record
No duplicate title record
No emission/safety inspection record
No loan/lien record
No fire damage incident record
No repossessed record
No theft record
No storm area registration/title record
Detailed Vehicle History
One ownerOne ownersCalculated Owners: 1 Below are the historical events for this vehicle listed in chronological order. Any discrepancies will be in bold text.
Report Run Date: September 30, 2016 4:24:35 EDT

Vehicle: 2005 Toyota Avalon Limited / Touring / XL / XLS (4T1BK36BX5U018322)

Event Date Event Location Odometer Reading Data Source Event Detail
03/14/2005 Independent Source VEHICLE MANUFACTURED AND SHIPPED TO DEALER
05/04/2005 CLINTON, MO Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
05/20/2005 CLINTON, MO 42 Motor Vehicle Dept. TITLE (Title #:PA871858)
05/10/2007 CLINTON, MO Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
06/13/2008 JOHNSON COUNTY, KS State Agency COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE (Case #:200800228550)
MINOR TO MODERATE DAMAGE REPORTED
05/20/2009 CLINTON, MO Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
05/28/2011 LIBERTY, MO Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
01/05/2012 LIBERTY, MO Motor Vehicle Dept. TITLE (Title #:TJG63040)
11/05/2012 FL 137,326 Auto Auction REPORTED AT AUTO AUCTION
12/08/2012 FL 137,830 Auto Auction REPORTED AT AUTO AUCTION
01/12/2013 FL Auto Auction REPORTED AT AUTO AUCTION
01/28/2013 FL 137,830 Auto Auction REPORTED AT AUTO AUCTION AS DEALER VEHICLE
02/19/2013 JACKSONVILLE, FL Independent Source VEHICLE EXPORTED TO BENIN

macIB:
Maybe by adequately checking all the documents that came with the car...just maybe but it maybe difficult to detect.

m in support of u

.

Just ask the seller.. "Did you steal it? "

Issyman:
my suggestion is that when you want to buy a naija fairly used car, copy down the registration number (plate number) and go to the any police station and ask them to help you check if it has ever been reported stolen before. tell them you want to purchase the car, simple. but it will cost you a small bucks sha.

u get mind NPF no get database of anything abi na does files where dn full shelves u expect dem to open hmm Bro u need to cough up dollars common thieves data dey don't have na stolen vehicle dey get

dgitrader:
For naija used car, only buy from a registered auto dealer, with his complete reciepts acting as transfer of ownership too. I say this because vertually all car documents can be easily faked and be undetected. Just do this to safeguard urself and hope hope for d best.
But if u r buying from individual known to youl , u both should take the car to vio inspection centre before any further dealings.

Nice write
But got confused at where the car should be taking to vio.
For what pls just need clarity.

Explain

Is Autojosh still sleeping ?

Nice info

A laxity on our Nigerian authorities who do not keep records.
Once you input a vehicle's VIN number on whether Road safety,VIO,insurance or even police database,it should be able to tell you if the vehicle was stolen or previously registered but being passed on as a Tokumbo.