Due to the poor economic situation in the country, buying a new car in Nigeria can be expensive, which forces many people to buy used cars. However, buying a used car or tokunbo has many disadvantages because you don't know how reliable they are.
Therefore, if you are buying a used car, you should understand why the owner is selling it and carefully inspect the car inside and out.
Here are Tips to Consider when
buying a Used Car in Nigeria
There are things you should consider before buying a used car in Nigeria. These include:
1. Set a Budget
The budget you set for the used car you want to buy includes the cost of the car, registration, insurance and general car maintenance costs. You need to know whether the car you are buying is for business or personal use. This is to avoid the mistake of buying a car you can't keep.
No matter how expensive a luxury car is, you must first consider the cost of maintenance, repair and operation. Most luxury cars burn more fuel per hour, and if a part breaks down and needs to be replaced, it will drain your pocket while you try to fix it.
After a while, you will find that you are not driving the car, but the car drives you so crazy that you start to realize that you did not cut your clothes according to your fabric.
So when buying a car, try to buy one that you can fuel and maintain without breaking the bank. Look for something cheap that you can easily maintain.
2. Get an Expert
Ask a professional to help you check out the used car you want to buy, not just any street mechanic. You can pay a professional to do a complete job for you. Things that the experts will check include the engine, air system, transmission, cooling system, etc.
3. Make Good Choices
You need to know ahead of time what kind of car you want to buy and what you want to use it for, to make sure it does the job you are buying it for. You can choose a car by the type, brand or price. And be sure to consider the location of the vehicle to see if you can take it to your destination.
It is true that when you want to buy a car, you will want to jump for a mod. Although when you want to buy a car, you would like to jump on the model that you like the most; but first consider the type of roads we have in Nigeria if your car can move there.
You should also consider that there are spare parts in the price of the car. You may like a certain type of car, but that car may be too expensive for you, due to the economic downturn in the country.
Some old car models may not give you what you want in a car, so look for a car that has been updated when you want to buy a car. Go for an affordable and stylish car that will give you what you need; and don't buy a car on a whim unless you know the car well and honestly believe that you can handle the car and be happy with it perfectly.
4. Contact the Seller
You should contact the car dealer for a consultation and inspection. Carefully inspect the car you are buying before paying.
5. Verify the VIN
VIN stands for Vehicle Identification Number, which you need to check to know if the car you are looking to buy is a stolen or damaged vehicle.
6. Identify the Seller’s Reasons
The car dealer you want to buy from has different requirements for selling a car, which you can find out by asking.
7. Ask for Original Documents
Check the car documents and make sure they are original and complete before making any transaction. Get a written purchase agreement and warranty to cover you if you find out later that the car isn't what you thought it was. Since you will never be able to tell if a used car is stolen or not, it is important to get a purchase agreement to protect yourself in case you are sued.
8. Request Permission for Test
Execution
You must ask the seller's permission to test drive the car at least a day or two before paying. This will help you identify the car you are buying.
9. Inspect used Cars Properly
Do a thorough research of the car you are looking to buy. Check the engine, tires, hood, insulation, paint and paint inside the car, to make sure the car is in perfect condition before you buy it.
Check the overall condition of the car you are buying and how it is maintained and maintained. A well-maintained car has no dirt or debris inside. Check the car carefully inside and out. You should also know that every car has problems associated with it, and before buying a used car, you should know the problems that you will face with the car in the future.
Some cars have brake problems, some have shocks, some have engine problems, and so on. Knowing the problem will help you know about it in advance to determine if you can deal with it or not. If you can't resist it, it would be better to look for another type of car that you can trust.
10. Check How Long the Car you want
to Buy has Been Used and If There are any Accident Reports
A car dealer won't tell you publicly if the car you want to buy has been in an accident in the past, but you should ask the people you can about the accident history of your dream car. A car that has never had a problem before cannot look like a car that has had an accident. You can try as much as possible to avoid used cars and used cars.
11. What is the Resale Value of
the Car you Want to Buy?
Knowing the resale value of the car you want to buy is important if you want something that you will only use for a short time. Don't go for a car that will easily depreciate over the years, and go for something you can sell for a lot of money in the next few years. The value of your used car is very valuable because you can resell it at any time.
12. Verify for Leakages
When checking the car's engine and fuel tank, try to look under the car for leaks. If there is a small leak in the gas tank, it will consume more fuel and cost you money.
13. Know who and where you are Buying
a Used Car
You can buy used cars from reputable or unknown car dealers, or even online. But remember that there are many fake ads and scam sites designed to mislead you. Don't buy from new sites. You can use Whois.com or Google Search to get all the information about used car buying websites.
14. Pay for the Car
Be sure to negotiate with the car dealer before paying. If possible, ask other sellers and compare prices to find the cheapest seller. Make sure any car you buy is in pristine condition, especially when it's cheaper than you think. But since you are ready to buy something, it is wise to pay in cash or use electronic means to transfer the money instead of paying in cash.
15. Make Sure You have one or two Witnesses to Present
Do your car trade in a public place with one or two witnesses. This will help you in the future to avoid any lawsuits that may arise.
16. Consider Long-term Benefits
When setting your budget, it's important to understand the long-term cost of ownership. Car insurance rates can vary from one car make, model or even color to another. Fuel economy can vary from hundreds of dollars a year to thousands in a few years. Then repairs can be made without planning on their average annual cost. Sites like Repair Pal have tools and calculators that will help you figure out these costs for all major components and brands.
17. Never fall for the Patriot Act Scam
It is always beneficial for the seller to know your good credit. Unless you are getting financing from a seller or one of its lenders, however, the law does not require you to submit a seller's credit check. Consumer watchdogs warn that some unscrupulous car dealers — of new and used cars — will claim that the Patriot Act requires them to manage the buyer's credit. There is no such rule, and every salesperson trying to convince you in any way is almost always a bad salesperson trying to break the bank.
18. Obtain a Vehicle History
Report
It's hard to imagine anything in a used car that is more important than using it. Carfax and AutoCheck are among the most popular car report services, but there are many others. Which one you choose is up to you, but you should get a car history, which details things like major accidents, number of owners and maintenance history.
19. Investigate Resale Value
When figuring out what to look for when buying a used car, remember that average resale value is a key metric. Cars with low resale value may seem appealing to many car buyers, but cheap used cars often start to have problems only when they reach full value and the warranty expires. On the other side of the spectrum is a very reliable car like the Toyota Land Cruiser.
The fact that many owners keep their Land Cruisers for a long time keeps the resale value high - so high, in fact, that used cars are rarely worth anything until they are.
20. Don’t Fall In Love
A car is like a house and buying one can be an emotional process. And just like at home, it's always best to do your research and resist the urge to get bogged down in seeing the used car you're considering buying. Pursuing a car that appeals to you can cloud your judgment and make you more willing to overlook problems or go over budget.
Final Thought
Buying a used car can be expensive, but a thorough inspection is necessary to ensure that all parts of the car you buy are in good condition. You may end up buying a stolen car, which is possible if you don't do enough research before ordering.
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