Ever been excited about a car deal that seemed too good to be true? I have. One Saturday morning I saw a clean Toyota Axio listed online at a “crazy good” price. I contacted the seller, arranged a meeting in Nairobi West and even took the car for a test drive. Everything felt right — until I decided to run a quick check on NTSA TIMS.
That one decision saved me from buying a car under police investigation.
If you’re planning to buy a car in Kenya — especially from a private seller — verifying ownership isn’t just smart. It’s necessary. Let me walk you through the exact process of how to check vehicle ownership using NTSA TIMS — and share some key lessons I learned the hard way.
What is NTSA TIMS?
The Transport Integrated Management System (TIMS) is an online platform managed by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA). It handles everything from:
- Vehicle registration and transfers
- Logbook issuance
- Driver’s license management
- And — most importantly for us buyers — car ownership verification
Why Verify Car Ownership?
Let’s be honest — buying a car in Kenya can feel like navigating a minefield. Between fake logbooks, cloned plates, unpaid loans and outright stolen cars, it’s easy to get scammed if you don’t do your due diligence.
Here’s what verifying car ownership helps you avoid:
✅ Buying stolen vehicles
✅ Buying a car with duplicate or fake logbooks
✅ Paying for a car that’s not owned by the seller
✅ Getting stuck in legal battles after the transaction
Lesson learned: If someone refuses to let you verify ownership, walk away. No car deal is worth the risk.
What You Need Before Starting
To run a vehicle search on NTSA TIMS, you’ll need:
- The vehicle’s registration number (e.g., KDL 345H)
- A registered TIMS account (linked to your ID or business PIN)
- Access to internet and your phone for OTP verification
- About KES 550 for the search fee
How to Verify Vehicle Ownership on NTSA TIMS
Step 1: Visit the NTSA TIMS Portal
https://tims.ntsa.go.ke. I recommend doing this on a laptop for a smoother experience but it also works on mobile.
Step 2: Log Into Your TIMS Account
Use your ID number, E-Citizen credentials or create a new account if you haven’t registered. It takes less than 5 minutes.
Pro Tip: Make sure your phone number is updated. You’ll receive a One-Time Password (OTP) during login.
Step 3: Go to ‘Vehicle Search’
Once you’re inside:
- Click “Vehicle Registration”
- Click “Vehicle Search”
- Enter the car’s registration number (e.g., KDL 345H)
Step 4: Pay the Vehicle Search Fee
You’ll be prompted to pay KES 550 via M-PESA or card. Keep your transaction ID, just in case.
Step 5: Download and Review Results
Once payment is confirmed you will get:
- Legal owner’s full name
- Vehicle make, model and year
- Logbook status (active or under process)
- Chassis and engine numbers
- Any restrictions or alerts on the vehicle
You can download this as a PDF — I highly recommend saving for your records.
Real Talk: What I Found During My Car Search
So, back to my story. When I ran that Axio’s number through TIMS, I found two red flags:
- The listed owner’s name didn’t match the seller’s ID
- The logbook status was “Disputed Transfer Pending Investigation”
Imagine if I had transferred the money before checking!
Bonus Tip: Use TIMS When Transferring Ownership Too
TIMS also handles ownership transfers, the seller can initiate the process and you as the buyer can accept — all online. This keeps things clean and official.
Warning: If someone claims they’ll “give you the logbook later” or “they’re selling for a relative,” don’t proceed without verification.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Just Trust, Verify
If I hadn’t done that NTSA check, I could’ve lost thousands of shillings — stuck with a car I’d never legally own.
So here’s my advice: always verify car ownership before you pay a cent. The process takes less than 10 minutes and could save you from years of regret.
Whether you’re buying from a friend, a dealer or someone on the street — TIMS is your best friend.
Quick Recap Checklist
| What to Check | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Registered owner’s name | Must match seller’s ID |
| Logbook status | Should be “Active” |
| Chassis & engine number | Match physical car details |
| Vehicle history (if imported) | Look for damage, theft, or disputes |
| Willingness of seller | Refusal is a red flag |
Want to see how to transfer ownership on NTSA TIMS? Or how to check imported vehicle history using a chassis number? Drop a comment or message and I’ll guide you step by step — no guesswork.