Except a few that are lucky in the past, buyers of these days will acknowledge the uncertainty surrounding used cars purchasing, especially now that Nigeria Government has extended life span of imported used cars to 15years. Today, purchasing a car has gone beyond taking a local Mechanic or a friend to a car dealership. The emergence of desperados in the industry has drawn pre-purchase inspectors’ attention to the present ugly trend. Buyers are now skeptical in attitude. I have had series of pathetic stories from recent buyers, who spent additional 50% of the total cost or sometimes more on used cars they bought within three months.
The most recent story was October 2010 when two friends, Kazeem and Jude bought their imported used cars. While the former got a pocket friendly deal, accident free and fuel economy 2005 Honda iv-tec, the latt-er, who believe in experience was not only given a doctored custom papers, but also had to spend additional N200,000 ($1,300) on a car he had bought the same week. The said extra money was spent on; fixing, procurement of original Nigeria custom papers and registration of motor vehicle.
For you not to fall victim in the hands of these desperados, I have listed below “top 12 questions you need to understand before purchasing used car”. These questions would guide you through purchase process.
1. Firstly, ask yourself if you could ever imagine how much of gambling you’re involving if you choose a Tokunbo Car or imported used car?
2. Are you truly sure of your kind of model or you just want to get a car?
3. Do you think you can differentiate between imported used Cars and Lagos Used?
4. Are you sure the foreign Plate number is not going to motivate your buying decision?
5. Can you truly affirm that the car has not been worked on and repainted?
6. Can you count on the car dealership guarantee that the car is accident free?
7. Is your mechanic “go ahead and pay” guaranteed?
8. Or you think you and your friends’ experience about cars could mean expertise?
9. Or you are just a Person with “what ever comes my way” attitude?
10. How are you sure that the car was not cleared in Coutonou, and smuggled into Lagos?
11. And who told you that the document you would be presented is not doctored by the desperados, who want to deceive you that the car came in through Lagos port?
12. Do you even know that there are professional pre-purchase inspectors who could close their eyes, and tell you if a car is an accident one or not?
These and many more are questions that could help you to understand the intricacies involved in purchasing a used car.
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