Check the listing details
Compare photos, mileage, year, chassis/VIN details and price against similar vehicles. Inspect the vehicle and its original documents in person before paying a deposit or holding fee.
Security advice
Buy and sell vehicles with more confidence
Autolist safety basics
Simple checks reduce most vehicle deal risks.
Autolist connects buyers, private sellers, and dealers, but vehicle payments and ownership transfers happen between the parties. Use these checks before you view, pay for, release, or transfer a car.
If something feels wrong, stop the transaction, keep the conversation record, and report the listing or enquiry for review.
Verify the seller
Prefer verified dealers or complete seller profiles. Be cautious if the contact details keep changing or the seller avoids normal Autolist messaging steps.
Meet in a safe place
View the car during the day in a public location, showroom, garage, or trusted inspection centre. Bring someone with you when possible.
Inspect documents
Confirm the logbook, owner identity, import documents, service history, and any financing or insurance records before paying a deposit.
Keep a clear communication record
Use Autolist enquiries and messages to retain questions, viewing arrangements and agreed terms. Be cautious when someone immediately asks you to move elsewhere, follow an unfamiliar link or share financial information. A verified badge does not replace inspecting the vehicle, checking documents or confirming payment.
Report pressure, harassment or suspicious requests
Stop contact if someone is aggressive, asks for sensitive documents or demands an advance payment before inspection. Use the listing report control and keep the listing link and message record. Email safety@autolist.co.ke with the details so the team can review the concern.
Selling safely
Protect your vehicle, documents, and payment.
A genuine buyer should be comfortable with verification, inspection, clear payment steps, and written transfer records.
Keep the deal on record
Use Autolist enquiries and messages where possible so there is a clear record of buyer questions, agreed viewing details, and offer history.
Control test drives
Check the buyer's driving licence in person, agree a familiar route and accompany every test drive. Remove valuables, keep track of the keys and decline a drive if you feel unsafe.
Confirm payment first
Confirm cleared funds directly with your bank or payment provider. Do not release the vehicle on a payment screenshot, pending transfer or unverified cheque, and never refund an alleged overpayment before funds are verified.
Protect your listing photos
Cover number plates and remove personal documents, addresses and valuables from listing photos. Show identity and ownership documents in person rather than sending copies in messages.
Watch for pressure tactics
Pause if a buyer asks you to rush paperwork, ship the car before payment, use unusual payment channels, or move the conversation to suspicious links.
Warning signs
A price that is far below market value without a clear reason.
Requests to pay a deposit before seeing the vehicle or documents.
A seller who refuses inspection, video calls, or normal identity checks.
Payment screenshots, overpayment stories, or refund requests before funds clear.
Pressure to click unfamiliar links or continue the deal outside normal contact channels.
Documents where the names, chassis/VIN, number plate, or vehicle details do not match.
Elaborate import-agent stories, repeated excuses to avoid a viewing, or pressure to use an unfamiliar payment service.
Verify documents in person
- Ask to see the original logbook and confirm that the owner name and vehicle details match.
- Check the chassis/VIN, number plate, make, model, and colour against the vehicle and paperwork.
- Confirm ownership and registration information through the official NTSA/eCitizen process before payment.
- Do not send copies of your National ID, passport, logbook, KRA PIN, or banking information through ordinary messages.
Avoid phishing and fake Autolist messages
Type autolist.co.ke directly into your browser. Be suspicious of messages that create urgency, ask you to reveal a password or one-time code, or send you to an unfamiliar login or payment page.
Autolist will not ask you by email, SMS, or WhatsApp to send a vehicle purchase payment, reveal your password, or refund an alleged overpayment. Platform charges cover Autolist services only.
If you suspect fraud
- 1Stop communicating and do not send additional money or documents.
- 2Preserve the listing URL, enquiry history, receipts, phone numbers, and screenshots.
- 3Use the listing report control so the Autolist team can review the account and advertisement.
- 4Change your Autolist and email passwords if you entered credentials on a suspicious page.
- 5Contact your bank or payment provider immediately if money or payment credentials may be at risk.
- 6Report financial loss, theft, threats, or identity misuse to the appropriate Kenyan authorities.
For Platform support, email support@autolist.co.ke.
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