You know, there used to be a time when tokunbo cars were not that popular in Nigeria. Some people never even considered buying a tokunbo car, much less comparing it to a brand-new car. But we aren’t in that time, so let’s face reality.
Today, tokunbo cars are a rave in Nigeria and they have been since the ’80s. A tokunbo ( which is Yoruba for “coming from overseas”) car is rated higher and better than a Nigerian used car, even though they are both used cars.
Well, the reason for this is quite understandable. Generally, it is believed that a tokunbo car must have seen better times in whatever foreign country it came from. There, most likely, aren’t any bad roads to give the car a hard time. However, a Nigerian used car would most likely have tasted the rigours of being on a bad road.
Anyway, there are things you should know before buying tokunbo cars in Nigeria, especially if you intend to buy a long-lasting one. Here are a few tips on how to buy good tokunbo cars in Nigeria. So, let’s get to the juicy stuff.
Buying Good Tokunbo Cars in Nigeria
Buying a car, used or new, has been made quite easy today. You may decide to buy online or offline. Just be sure to know which option is better for you; online or offline.
Also, when trying to buy a tokunbo car in Nigeria, you have to be smart. You must approach it with great caution as if your life depends on it because it might. Imagine buying what you thought was a good tokunbo car, which, in fact, isn’t. In your mind, you have the car to tread upon any Nigerian road, no matter how bad or dangerous. But the day the car would fail you, you’d feel betrayed.
Some tokunbo car dealers in Nigeria today are nothing but petty cheats. If you bought a car from them, you could be buying a car that has been through hell and high water. However, this is not to say that you can’t find good Toyota cars for sale in Nigeria. And this brings us to the first tip.
What To Know Before Buying Tokunbo Cars In Nigeria
● Research everything before taking any action
Make use of the internet. Do a lot of research on the kind of car that you want. Read customers’ and experts’ reviews of the car. From the research, you would most likely know if a car is good for you.
Also, research the credibility of the car dealership you’re planning to deal with. There are a lot of credible websites where you can buy cars with the rest of your mind. Carmart Africa is an example of such a website.
● Do not be deceived by looks
What you see online might not be what you find in reality when you’re checking out the car.
Check the body of the tokunbo car for any scratches or any signs of bad times. Check for panel beating marks. Check for the cracked windscreen. For anything that your eyes can see, make sure you do a proper check on it. Open the car and check the interiors too. If you find any signs of rough usage on the car, that’s a red light; turn around and go.
Start the car and see if you’re feeling any discernible vibrations. If you are, that’s another red light. If the car is an automatic transmission car, try to shift the gear to drive or reverse while firmly pressing down the brake pedal. If there are any sudden jerks or movements, that’s another red light.
Step out of the before turning off the engine and check the exhaust fumes. If you’re seeing the slightest signs of soot, that’s another red light.
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● Confirm the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of the car.
No two cars in the world have the same VIN. VIN is a unique 17-character code that all cars possess. Checking the VIN can reveal things about the car to you. It can be used to check warranty claims, registration, and some other important things. The internet has made it easy for Documents To Collect When Buying A Tokunbo Car In Nigeria
● Ensure that all necessary documents are in order
I can’t stress this enough. Do not run the risk of buying stolen cars. Make sure the tokunbo car has all the proper documents, including custom papers.
Final words
Do all these and be safe. Do not jump the steps. You can find a lot of tokunbo cars for sale in Lagos it anywhere else in Nigeria. If you have any questions or enquiries, drop them in the comments section below.
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