Shopping a Nigerian-feeble car is a major milestone no extra prolonged queues at the bus stop or battling run-hailing prices at some level of peak hours. But whereas the joys is real, so is the danger.
Beneath that brilliant paint job, some second-hand cars are hiding considerations colossal adequate to drain your wallet and your peace of mind.
So ahead of you say trudge to that “neatly feeble” Toyota or Honda, here are nine stable ways to location a actually moral Nigerian-feeble car and avoid falling for a polished disaster.
What’s the story in the back of the car
Every car has a history, and it’s your job to declare it. Ask questions like, has the car ever been in an accident? Is it the first owner selling it? Was it a private-exhaust automobile or feeble for transport products and services?
Then glance for physical signs that either confirm or contradict what the vendor tells you. Uneven paint? Newer-taking a look parts in precisely one part of the car? These may hint at past repairs they’re no longer telling you about. You can also bring a depended on mechanic along to abet read between the traces.
Take a look at all the paperwork effectively
The paperwork isn’t correct formality, it’s the car’s identification. At a minimal, you are going to have to seek information from of:
- Original Proof of Possession
- Updated Automobile Registration
- Roadworthiness Certificate
- Valid Insurance
- Custom Clearance Papers (if the car was imported)
- And the Automobile Identification Quantity (VIN)
The VIN is especially important. It’s usually chanced on below the bonnet or on the dashboard. Make trudge it matches what’s on the papers, any mismatch is a giant crimson flag. Want to dart a step additional? Hasten the VIN thru a verification platform or ask the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) for abet.
Hasten a mechanical test — No excuses
Don’t identify a car by how it looks or starts. Apt because the engine activates doesn’t mean all is effectively. That’s why you are going to have to never purchase a feeble car with out a thorough inspection by a competent mechanic.
Take a look at the condition of:
- Engine and transmission
- Gear arresting smoothness
- Brake performance
- Suspension and steering
- Oil leaks or irregular engine sounds
If it overheats at some level of the test pressure or has danger arresting gears, hasten, no longer walk away from the deal.
Examine the odometer with caution
Some sellers roll back the mileage to make a car appear “brisker.” But a low odometer reading doesn’t always mean a larger car. Stare at the wear and tear on the seats, pedals, and dashboard.
If it doesn’t match the claimed mileage, something’s fishy. A car with forty five,000km mileage shouldn’t have a frail-out internal or sagging seat foam. If available, ask for maintenance data, oil change dates, provider receipts, or even mechanic references.
Watch out for flood or accident damage
In Nigeria, the place flooding is general, many cars have suffered water damage. Sellers normally clean them up correct adequate to fool the average buyer. Be alert.
Things to look (and scent) out for:
- Traditional or damp scent in the internal
- Rust below the seats or carpet
- Mismatched paint across physique panels
- Waterlines contained in the trunk or below the dashboard
- Electrical system faults (general in flood-damaged autos)
If the car has been in an accident or submerged in water, chances are high that considerations will achieve surfacing after you purchase it.
Take a look at the suspension and undercarriage
Nigerian roads are no longer fashion to cars. That’s why you have to test how the car handles potholes and bumps. Take a lawful test pressure and hear for clunks, creaks, or anything that feels off.
Underneath the car, glance for:
- Indecent rust
- Contemporary weld marks (suggesting major repairs)
- Oil or transmission leaks
These signs declare you whether or no longer the car has been thru trauma and how effectively (or poorly) it was repaired.
Idea the electrical system and AC
Riding in Lagos heat with out a working AC? That’s no longer a existence anyone wants. So ahead of taking a search for, test:
- How fast and cold the air conditioning kicks in
- If all dashboard warning lights dart off after starting
- That all windows, lights, aspect mirrors, and wipers work
- That the stereo and energy shops are functional
Electrical repairs can be annoying and costly, especially in the occasion that they’re the halt result of water damage or DIY rewiring.
Take a look at pressure and no longer correct spherical the block
Roar on a real test pressure, no longer correct one lap around the compound. Power on tough roads, in traffic, and at larger speeds. What you’re checking for:
- Serene gear changes
- Braking energy
- Steerage achieve watch over
- Any vibrations, delays, or strange noises
If the vendor refuses a lawful test pressure, that’s usually a bad signal. Either they’re hiding something, or the car isn’t roadworthy.
Accomplish your homework on trace and vendor
Before deciding on any car, research its market value. Ask around, compare prices online, and test spare part availability. Popular brands like Toyota, Honda, or Lexus have a tendency to have larger parts make stronger in Nigeria.
Also, test the vendor. If it’s a private vendor, ask why they’re selling. If it’s a dealer, look up their past transactions and evaluations (trudge, even Instagram sellers). Avoid sellers who strain you to “pay now” or refuse to give you time to mediate.
Bonus Tip: Purchase some handy tools together with your car
You’ve secured a stable car — now equip your self:
- Dash Cam: Capture crazy drivers, shield your self in accidents.
- Battery Tester: Avoid unexpected dead batteries.
- Cleaning Kit: Protect your run taking a look and smelling new.
These small add-ons can make your car trip safer and smoother from day one.
