Shopping for a Nigerian-used automobile is a serious milestone no extra lengthy queues on the bus cease or battling ride-hailing costs throughout peak hours. However whereas the joy is actual, so is the danger.
Beneath that shiny paint job, some second-hand automobiles are hiding issues sufficiently big to empty your pockets and your peace of thoughts.
So earlier than you say sure to that “neatly used” Toyota or Honda, listed below are 9 strong methods to identify a genuinely good Nigerian-used automobile and keep away from falling for a elegant catastrophe.
What’s the story behind the automobile
Each automobile has a historical past, and it’s your job to uncover it. Ask questions like, has the automobile ever been in an accident? Is it the primary proprietor promoting it? Was it a private-use automobile or used for transport providers?
Then examine for bodily indicators that both affirm or contradict what the vendor tells you. Uneven paint? Newer-looking components in only one part of the automobile? These might trace at previous repairs they’re not telling you about. You may also deliver a trusted mechanic alongside to assist learn between the traces.
Verify all of the paperwork correctly
The paperwork isn’t simply formality, it’s the automobile’s id. At a minimal, you must request:
- Unique Proof of Possession
- Up to date Car Registration
- Roadworthiness Certificates
- Legitimate Insurance coverage
- Customized Clearance Papers (if the automobile was imported)
- And the Car Identification Quantity (VIN)
The VIN is particularly necessary. It’s normally discovered below the bonnet or on the dashboard. Be certain that it matches what’s on the papers, any mismatch is a big crimson flag. Need to go a step additional? Run the VIN by way of a verification platform or ask the Federal Street Security Corps (FRSC) for assist.
Run a mechanical examine — No excuses
Don’t choose a automobile by the way it seems to be or begins. Simply because the engine activates doesn’t imply all is nicely. That’s why you must by no means purchase a used automobile with no thorough inspection by a reliable mechanic.
Verify the situation of:
- Engine and transmission
- Gear shifting smoothness
- Brake efficiency
- Suspension and steering
- Oil leaks or odd engine sounds
If it overheats through the take a look at drive or has hassle shifting gears, run, not stroll away from the deal.
Study the odometer with warning
Some sellers roll again the mileage to make a automobile appear “more energizing.” However a low odometer studying doesn’t all the time imply a greater automobile. Have a look at the wear and tear and tear on the seats, pedals, and dashboard.
If it doesn’t match the claimed mileage, one thing’s fishy. A automobile with 45,000km mileage shouldn’t have a worn-out inside or sagging seat foam. If obtainable, ask for upkeep information, oil change dates, service receipts, and even mechanic references.
Be careful for flood or accident injury
In Nigeria, the place flooding is frequent, many automobiles have suffered water injury. Sellers typically clear them up simply sufficient to idiot the common purchaser. Be alert.
Issues to look (and odor) out for:
- Musty or damp odor within the inside
- Rust below the seats or carpet
- Mismatched paint throughout physique panels
- Waterlines contained in the trunk or below the dashboard
- Electrical glitches (frequent in flood-damaged autos)
If the automobile has been in an accident or submerged in water, likelihood is excessive that issues will maintain surfacing after you purchase it.
Take a look at the suspension and undercarriage
Nigerian roads aren’t variety to automobiles. That’s why you have to take a look at how the automobile handles potholes and bumps. Take a correct take a look at drive and hear for clunks, creaks, or something that feels off.
Beneath the automobile, examine for:
- Extreme rust
- Recent weld marks (suggesting main repairs)
- Oil or transmission leaks
These indicators let you know whether or not the automobile has been by way of trauma and the way nicely (or poorly) it was repaired.
Examine {the electrical} system and AC
Driving in Lagos warmth with no working AC? That’s not a life anybody needs. So earlier than shopping for, examine:
- How briskly and funky the air con kicks in
- If all dashboard warning lights go off after beginning
- That each one home windows, lights, facet mirrors, and wipers work
- That the stereo and energy retailers are useful
Electrical repairs might be annoying and costly, particularly in the event that they’re the results of water injury or DIY rewiring.
Take a look at drive and never simply around the block
Insist on an actual take a look at drive, not only one lap across the compound. Drive on tough roads, in visitors, and at greater speeds. What you’re checking for:
- Clean gear adjustments
- Braking energy
- Steering management
- Any vibrations, delays, or unusual noises
If the vendor refuses a correct take a look at drive, that’s normally a foul signal. Both they’re hiding one thing, or the automobile isn’t roadworthy.
Do your homework on worth and vendor
Earlier than deciding on any automobile, analysis its market worth. Ask round, examine costs on-line, and examine spare half availability. Well-liked manufacturers like Toyota, Honda, or Lexus are inclined to have higher components assist in Nigeria.
Additionally, confirm the vendor. If it’s a non-public vendor, ask why they’re promoting. If it’s a vendor, search for their previous transactions and critiques (sure, even Instagram sellers). Keep away from sellers who strain you to “pay now” or refuse to offer you time to assume.
Bonus Tip: Purchase some useful instruments together with your automobile
You’ve secured a strong automobile — now equip your self:
- Sprint Cam: Seize loopy drivers, defend your self in accidents.
- Battery Tester: Keep away from surprising useless batteries.
- Cleansing Package: Hold your journey wanting and smelling contemporary.
These small add-ons could make your automobile expertise safer and smoother from day one.