[size=13pt]1. Have a budget, and remember in cases of PreOrder, work with verifiable referrals to Preorder agents
2. Check reviews online of the said vehicle so you are sure the car meets what you want from a vehicle
3. Run a VIN check on the vehicle to determine the following
i. Maintenance history of vehicle
ii. Number of owners
iii. Status of the vehicle ie if flooded, salvaged, reported stolen and so on
4. soon as you have receipt of the vehicle PLEASE use OEM engine oils and transmission oils
(that is the vehicle manufacturer requested grades of these oils not what the BRAND the mechanic says is ‘good’. )
5. Wind Screen & Door Glass test.
Look at the stamp on the windshield. If the Vehicle Make stamp is not on any particular Wind screen or Door Glass. That is an indication that it was replaced, find out if it was done properly in the case of windshield, so as to avoid cases of water leaks during the raining season
6. Christmas Light test – If all sorts of light show up on the dash board that is an indication that a lot of error codes and diagnosis need to be done on the Car. The following lights should be paid attention to
i. Air Bag Light – If this light remains on, its an indication that something is wrong with the particular Air Bag. Failure to have it checked by a professional and you could risk it deploying at anytime or not deploying at all
ii. Check Engine light – If this remains on then ‘check engine’.
iii. Pump Light – If this remains on then find out from the Nigerian Car owner at what point the light started coming on.
iv. ABS – If this remains on then it should be scanned and checked for what error code
N/B
a. There should be NO LIGHT what so ever on your vehicle’s instrument panel while the Car is in motion. Any light that comes on should be queried, the mechanic myth ‘ Oga the light no mean anything, you can drive the car like that’. The learned Car owner should be the wiser.
b. Not every mechanic who has an OBD device knows how to use it, or has updated He’s and most of all be sure that the OBD device used can scan codes of you Vehicle Make/Model and Year.
7. Gear Box Test –
AUTO TRANSMISSION:
a. Locate the Auto gear box dip stick and colour of transmission oil on the gauge if its brownish red and not clear red, that is an indication the Car is due for a transmission change (will update on how this should be done, the myth of ‘DO NOT CHANGE TRANSMISSION OIL’ is what it is – a myth)
b. Ask if the Car has been moved from rest that day, better if the response is ‘NO’. If the Car is parked on a flat ground better. Start vehicle and engage gear in ‘D’. If the vehicle slams into Drive with a sound – CAUSTION. While driving pay attention to the Gear Change if its not smooth – CAUTION.
And finally if when you slow down and you feel the Gear dropping gears – CAUTION.
8. AC Test.
i. If the AC is not working, find out why. Compressor change is not always the solution.
ii. If AC works and engine goes off when driving in the afternoon heat, then check your vehicle cooling system as over heating is a possible culprit.
iii. If AC does not cool properly it would need to be checked by a professional and ensure you have the right COOLANT in the compressor once the whole diagnosis is done.
9. Paint Job
Check the thoroughly, ask if the paint was ever changed, if you suspect a colour change on the vehicle.
10. Cooling system test.
i. Open the Radiator Cap and ask the dealer or owner to start the Car. If the water flows in the radiator, that is an indication that the water pump is work. IMMEDIATELY TURN off engine and have the Radiator cap properly replaced.
ii. After you may have owned the tokumbo vehicle if your radiator coolant shorts after 1week then you have a leak, have a professional check your cooling system. Coolant should be changed 1ce a year to get rid of free radicals as well as have the rotary parts in your cooling system in good condition.

CAUSTION
If 3,6,7,10 do not check out that means the vehicle scores 6/10 Its up to you to know if that is a pass mark as these concerns should be part of the pass mark for the tokumbo vehicle, but if 3,6,7,10 are the only areas the vehicle scored PASS, this implies that it scored 4/10 be advised that you bargain for a better prize for the tokumbo vehicle in question.

UPDATED : 15.02.16
[/size]

GAZZUZZ:
nice tips. You should add, don't pay for a car you have not personally inspected, to avoid stories that touch.

[size=13pt]You know when tokumbo is involved TRUST plays a BIG role, as alot is done by proxy via PreOrder Gurus and that is why I will update Tip 1.

Thanks for the input [/size]

MrChilaka:
[size=13pt]1. Have a budget, and remember in cases of PreOrder, work with verifiable referrals to Preorder agents
2. Check reviews online of the said vehicle so you are sure the car meets what you want from a vehicle
3. Run a VIN check on the vehicle to determine the following
i. Maintenance history of vehicle
ii. Number of owners
iii. Status of the vehicle ie if flooded, salvaged, reported stolen and so on
4. soon as you have receipt of the vehicle PLEASE use OEM engine oils and transmission oils
(that is the vehicle manufacturer requested grades of these oils not what the BRAND the mechanic says is ‘good’. )
5. Wind Screen & Door Glass test.
Look at the stamp on the windshield. If the Vehicle Make stamp is not on any particular Wind screen or Door Glass. That is an indication that it was replaced, find out if it was done properly in the case of windshield, so as to avoid cases of water leaks during the raining season
6. Christmas Light test – If all sorts of light show up on the dash board that is an indication that a lot of error codes and diagnosis need to be done on the Car. The following lights should be paid attention to
i. Air Bag Light – If this light remains on, its an indication that something is wrong with the particular Air Bag. Failure to have it checked by a professional and you could risk it deploying at anytime or not deploying at all
ii. Check Engine light – If this remains on then ‘check engine’.
iii. Pump Light – If this remains on then find out from the Nigerian Car owner at what point the light started coming on.
iv. ABS – If this remains on then it should be scanned and checked for what error code
N/B
a. There should be NO LIGHT what so ever on your vehicle’s instrument panel while the Car is in motion. Any light that comes on should be queried, the mechanic myth ‘ Oga the light no mean anything, you can drive the car like that’. The learned Car owner should be the wiser.
b. Not every mechanic who has an OBD device knows how to use it, or has updated He’s and most of all be sure that the OBD device used can scan codes of you Vehicle Make/Model and Year.
7. Gear Box Test –
AUTO TRANSMISSION:
a. Locate the Auto gear box dip stick and colour of transmission oil on the gauge if its brownish red and not clear red, that is an indication the Car is due for a transmission change (will update on how this should be done, the myth of ‘DO NOT CHANGE TRANSMISSION OIL’ is what it is – a myth)
b. Ask if the Car has been moved from rest that day, better if the response is ‘NO’. If the Car is parked on a flat ground better. Start vehicle and engage gear in ‘D’. If the vehicle slams into Drive with a sound – CAUSTION. While driving pay attention to the Gear Change if its not smooth – CAUTION.
And finally if when you slow down and you feel the Gear dropping gears – CAUTION.
8. AC Test.
i. If the AC is not working, find out why. Compressor change is not always the solution.
ii. If AC works and engine goes off when driving in the afternoon heat, then check your vehicle cooling system as over heating is a possible culprit.
iii. If AC does not cool properly it would need to be checked by a professional and ensure you have the right COOLANT in the compressor once the whole diagnosis is done.
9. Paint Job
Check the thoroughly, ask if the paint was ever changed, if you suspect a colour change on the vehicle.
10. Cooling system test.
i. Open the Radiator Cap and ask the dealer or owner to start the Car. If the water flows in the radiator, that is an indication that the water pump is work. IMMEDIATELY TURN off engine and have the Radiator cap properly replaced.
ii. After you may have owned the tokumbo vehicle if your radiator coolant shorts after 1week then you have a leak, have a professional check your cooling system. Coolant should be changed 1ce a year to get rid of free radicals as well as have the rotary parts in your cooling system in good condition.

CAUSTION
If 3,6,7,10 do not check out that means the vehicle scores 6/10 Its up to you to know if that is a pass mark as these concerns should be part of the pass mark for the tokumbo vehicle, but if 3,6,7,10 are the only areas the vehicle scored PASS, this implies that it scored 4/10 be advised that you bargain for a better prize for the tokumbo vehicle in question.

UPDATED : 15.02.16
[/size]

Nice write up