THINGS TO KNOW BEFOR BUYING A USED CAR
These 8 Tips for buying a used car :
This can become handy when going up against sweet-tongued car dealers and salespeople. It could save you from parting with your hard-earned money for junk car.
Thanks to the stuttering and fumbling of the Nigerian economy, most Nigerians cannot afford to buy a brand new car. So they settle for Tokunbo, the local parlance for a used car.
In fact, used vehicles and equipment are said to be what drives the Nigeria economy. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria imported about 1.2 million cars between 2012 and 2017, and 85% were used vehicles.
Nigeria allows used vehicles as old as 15 years to be imported into the country. While many of the cars are in top shape, many are not.
Also, many Nigerians also buy in-country or Nigeria used cars. These set of cars are usually in worse shape than their Tokunbo counterpart when put on sale. For this reasons, this tip for buying used cars in Nigeria can help you get the best value for your money.
So before you buy a used car, arm yourself with the following valuable 8 tips for buying a used car in Nigeria.
1.Ensure Proper Documentation
This might seem like a no brainer, but not everyone is familiar with how a proper car documentation should look like.
Car documentation should include, the import and clearance documents. Otherwise, you will encounter a lot of problems with Nigeria custom officials. If you are not sure about this, ask a friend or family member who does to accompany you.
2. Consider the Age of the Car
Many potential car buyers are so excited about the prospect of buying a car that they forget about the age the car.
Car salespeople are good at presentation. They often have professional cleaners wash and polish displayed car until they glitter. To the unsuspecting buyer, the cleanness of a used car is a sign of its quality. Well, it is not! Ask the salesperson the year of the car. Then check the blue book to get an idea of its value. That should be the first thing you do.
3. Accident Status of the Car
After ascertaining the age of the car and you are sure you can live with it, ask for the accident status of the car. This should come with the documentation, but sometimes for imported vehicles, they may be removed or doctored for obvious reasons—increase the value of the car.
Ask a car mechanic to go with you to check for signs of accident. An obvious sign would be a car wearing different shades of the same color. If you look closely you can tell.
Check the bumpers, frames, engine interior, etc. for signs of an accident. An accident car could have severe structural damage that will severely reduce its drivability and durability.
Some accidents are minor and does not pose much of a problem. The point is, if you know a car has been in an accident, you can bargain down the price.
4.Mileage
Another of the 8 tips for buying a used car is knowing the mileage of the car. The mileage of the car is just as important as, if not more important than, the year of the ca.
The mileage is a record of how long the car has been driven. The higher the mileage the higher the usage of the car. Thus, the higher the usage of the car, the LOWER the value of the car.
Mileage is so important that many countries make it a crime for people to adjust the mileage of a car.
However, it is common practice for used car importers to reduce the mileage of the cars they are importing to Nigeria. By doing so, they increase the value of the vehicle. Is there a way to know if an odometer mileage has been tampered with? The answer is yes, particularly with newer electronic-controlled vehicles.
Ask the salesperson if the displayed mileage is the original, particularly if you are buying a fairly used car that’s only a few years old.
If possible, take the car to a high-tech car repair shops to check for the original mileage. Roughly a car of 150,000 kilometers in odometer is equivalent to 8-10 years old. Use that as a guide when buying a car.
5. Interior Controls and upholstery
Another important tip for buying used car in Nigeria is checking the interior. Checking the interior is more than merely checking the upholstery, even though you have to do that as well. Here is a checklist of interior inspection:
- Start from the floor of the car. Lift the carpet, if possible, and make sure there is no rust
- Check the upholstery for tear and stains
- Make sure the seat mechanical controls work. That is, all the seats should be adjustable as designed
- Check the dashboard controls. If a light that should not be is on, that’s a sign for trouble
- Check to see that the light controls work
- Make sure the back mirror is adjustable
- Check the A/C to make sure it works
6.Car Exterior Inspection
The exterior of the car is just as important as the interior. Here is checklist for exterior inspection:
- Check the car paint for scratches and shades. Different shades of paint may indicate prior major body damage or accident. Ask for explanation.
- Check all the lights to make sure they are not broken and are working well.
- Check the bumpers for cracks
- Make sure the side mirrors work
- Check the under of the car for rust and other defects
- Check the exhaust pipe and make sure there is no leak
- Take a look at the tires and make sure they are still well treading
- Open and close doors gently to see if they work well. Lock and open opens with inside controls and key fob to make sure they all work
- Take a look at the booth/trunk to make sure it opens and closes properly. Check for spare tire and car jack
- Roll up and down all windows
7. Car Engine Inspection
The car engine is obviously an important component of the car. The obvious sign of an engine problem is oil leak. Car dealers can also wash off the leak to fool you. The most important reason to go with a mechanic or someone familiar with the car type you are buying is the engine. A good mechanic can tell a lot by looking at an engine and hearing how it sounds.
8 Drive Test the Car
Here comes the fun part! You will never truly know the feel and comfort of car until you drive. As you drive take note of the following.
- The sound of the engine
- The stability of the car as it drives
- The steering. Does it work well?
- The breaks. Do they work well?
- Honk the honk to make sure they work.
- Be sure to test-drive carefully and safely
These 8 tips for buying a used car in Nigeria is obviously not exhaustive. But it may be useful for potential car buyers, particularly those with little or no experience in buying a car. It will help you negotiate the right price for the car. If you can think of something else, please add to the comment section for others to benefit. Also, note that these points are informative only, it should not prevent you from buying a car if you so desire. Almost any car can be fixed, if you have the time and the resources.
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