Three years ago, I decided it was time to upgrade my level by buying my first car. I had worked for about 3 years and saved up some money. The initial plan had been to buy a Tokunbo car. My eyes were set on a Toyota Corolla 2006.

At the time, the Tokunbo of that model was sold for 1.5/6 million naira. My budget was around 1.2 million naira. So, I decided I was going to wait and save up more money so that I can get that model.

But it then happened that it was just at that point that President Buhari came into office and banned the importation of cars via the land borders and started the implementation of the automotive policy. To add to that, the naira went south and the cost of import more than tripled.

By this time, I had saved up to 1.5 million naira but the car’s price had gone up to 1.8 million naira.

I tried speaking to a few friends about it. They all seemed to be surprised why I was hell-bent on buying a Tokunbo when I could get a reliable Nigerian-used car. The two of them I spoke to, told me their first cars were all Nigerian-used cars and they didn’t have any issues with them.

One even told me that his wife bought a Nigerian-used 2008 Honda Accord at the time, and had driven it for two years without issues. In contrast, his Range Rover sport which he bought from the US directly had caused him serious financial trouble, that he was on the verge of selling it at the time.

The other friend told me he has driven 2 cars, none of which were ever a tokunbo car. They were all Nigerian-used and he didn’t find any trouble with them.

In fact, my boss at the time told me his first car was a Nigerian-used car and that I had nothing to fear if the engine was in good shape.

To cut the long story short, that was how I ended up with a 10-year-old Nigerian used car, and it nearly wrecked me. There was no part of that car that I didn’t change before I finally gave up on it a year and a half later.

So, to avoid going through my ordeal, here are 5 mistakes you must avoid when trying to buy a Nigerian-used car.

1. Don’t Buy A Nigerian-Used Car From A Dealer: This is as simple as it sounds. Some car dealers in Nigeria specialise in Nigerian-used cars, and no matter your scepticisms, they will convince you there is nothing wrong with the car.

Some of them will go as far as swearing by their great-grandfather’s grave that the car is in perfect condition. But it is a lie. Their only objective is to transfer the liability to you and collect your money.

So, my advice, buy from directly from the owner.

Click [url]Here To Know Things You Must Do Before Buying A Tokunbo Car In Nigeria[https://www.autosage.ng/things-you-must-do-before-buying-a-tokunbo-car-in-nigeria-2/]

2. Don’t Rely On A Referral: [/b]In my case, one of my friends referred me to the guy who used to sell him his Nigerian-used cars. Because of this, I didn’t bother with some other necessary checks that would have saved me from some future headaches.

So, don’t think because the dealer was referred by a good friend, he will not try to outsmart you and sell you a junk.

Treat the referred seller as though no one in your circle knows him. That would help you to ask all the tough questions needed to unravel the true condition of the car.
[b]
3. Conduct A Thorough Research On the Car’s Model: As I mentioned earlier, it was my first car. So I didn’t know much about cars. And because I trusted my friend who referred me to the dealer, I paid for the car before trying to conduct some research on the car’s model. That was stupid.

Don’t be like me. Read up on the reviews of that model. I recommend Edmunds.com. Find out problems unique to it and how they are solved.

Sometimes the age of the car doesn’t really matter but it matters how long it has been used in Nigeria. A general rule for me is for the car not to be older than 10 years.

A 5-year-old car that has been used for just 3 years in Nigeria will be more prone to technical issues than a 10-year-old car that is just getting into the country.

4. Buy A Toyota Product: At the time I was struggling with my car, I knew a friend who bought a 20-year-old Toyota Camry and was enjoying every bit of it.

But mine was not a Toyota and to avoid the risk of brand misrepresentation, I am not mentioning it here.

But I have also found that Toyota cars are more rugged and generally more reliable than other brands. So, if the Nigerian-used car is what your budget can carry and you can’t wait, just make sure it is a Toyota.

There are more lessons I could share but it will be in part 2 of my next post.

You May Also Like: [url]This Is The Best Way To Avoid Buying A Stolen Car In Nigeria[https://www.autosage.ng/surest-way-avoid-buying-stolen-car-nigeria/]

Noted

If you really want to help others avoid your mistake, the car brand should be mentioned. Why is it difficult to do this?

You made some valid points but rubbished it by saying you we should buy Toyotas.

Is there any valid technical scientific or empirical reason why I should choose a Toyota over a Benz for instance?

He is the follow follow type

MrMcJay:
You made some valid points but rubbished it by saying you we should buy Toyotas.

Is there any valid technical scientific or empirical reason why I should choose a Toyota over a Benz for instance?

Or over a Bmw. Even if dem dash me a Toyota, na to sell am sure pass!

Thanks for the info.

AutosageNaija:
Three years ago, I decided it was time to upgrade my level by buying my first car. I had worked for about 3 years and saved up some money. The initial plan had been to buy a Tokunbo car. My eyes were set on a Toyota Corolla 2006.

At the time, the Tokunbo of that model was sold for 1.5/6 million naira. My budget was around 1.2 million naira. So, I decided I was going to wait and save up more money so that I can get that model.

But it then happened that it was just at that point that President Buhari came into office and banned the importation of cars via the land borders and started the implementation of the automotive policy. To add to that, the naira went south and the cost of import more than tripled.

By this time, I had saved up to 1.5 million naira but the car’s price had gone up to 1.8 million naira.

I tried speaking to a few friends about it. They all seemed to be surprised why I was hell-bent on buying a Tokunbo when I could get a reliable Nigerian-used car. The two of them I spoke to, told me their first cars were all Nigerian-used cars and they didn’t have any issues with them.

One even told me that his wife bought a Nigerian-used 2008 Honda Accord at the time, and had driven it for two years without issues. In contrast, his Range Rover sport which he bought from the US directly had caused him serious financial trouble, that he was on the verge of selling it at the time.

The other friend told me he has driven 2 cars, none of which were ever a tokunbo car. They were all Nigerian-used and he didn’t find any trouble with them.

In fact, my boss at the time told me his first car was a Nigerian-used car and that I had nothing to fear if the engine was in good shape.

To cut the long story short, that was how I ended up with a 10-year-old Nigerian used car, and it nearly wrecked me. There was no part of that car that I didn’t change before I finally gave up on it a year and a half later.

So, to avoid going through my ordeal, here are 5 mistakes you must avoid when trying to buy a Nigerian-used car.

1. Don’t Buy A Nigerian-Used Car From A Dealer: This is as simple as it sounds. Some car dealers in Nigeria specialise in Nigerian-used cars, and no matter your scepticisms, they will convince you there is nothing wrong with the car.

Some of them will go as far as swearing by their great-grandfather’s grave that the car is in perfect condition. But it is a lie. Their only objective is to transfer the liability to you and collect your money.

So, my advice, buy from directly from the owner.

Click [url]Here To Know Things You Must Do Before Buying A Tokunbo Car In Nigeria[https://www.autosage.ng/things-you-must-do-before-buying-a-tokunbo-car-in-nigeria-2/]

2. Don’t Rely On A Referral: [/b]In my case, one of my friends referred me to the guy who used to sell him his Nigerian-used cars. Because of this, I didn’t bother with some other necessary checks that would have saved me from some future headaches.

So, don’t think because the dealer was referred by a good friend, he will not try to outsmart you and sell you a junk.

Treat the referred seller as though no one in your circle knows him. That would help you to ask all the tough questions needed to unravel the true condition of the car.
[b]
3. Conduct A Thorough Research On the Car’s Model: As I mentioned earlier, it was my first car. So I didn’t know much about cars. And because I trusted my friend who referred me to the dealer, I paid for the car before trying to conduct some research on the car’s model. That was stupid.

Don’t be like me. Read up on the reviews of that model. I recommend Edmunds.com. Find out problems unique to it and how they are solved.

Sometimes the age of the car doesn’t really matter but it matters how long it has been used in Nigeria. A general rule for me is for the car not to be older than 10 years.

A 5-year-old car that has been used for just 3 years in Nigeria will be more prone to technical issues than a 10-year-old car that is just getting into the country.

4. Buy A Toyota Product: At the time I was struggling with my car, I knew a friend who bought a 20-year-old Toyota Camry and was enjoying every bit of it.

But mine was not a Toyota and to avoid the risk of brand misrepresentation, I am not mentioning it here.

But I have also found that Toyota cars are more rugged and generally more reliable than other brands. So, if the Nigerian-used car is what your budget can carry and you can’t wait, just make sure it is a Toyota.

There are more lessons I could share but it will be in part 2 of my next post.

You May Also Like: [url]This Is The Best Way To Avoid Buying A Stolen Car In Nigeria[https://www.autosage.ng/surest-way-avoid-buying-stolen-car-nigeria/]

Is a toyota a must buy? Another kazeem with a techno and data on the loose

Shame d devil name that car that reck u,even d 1st letter.

Made sense until no 4.

I won't use my sweat and buy Toyota. Them swear for me? I want a car I sit and and smile not some bland take me from A to B piece of metal and plastic.

AutosageNaija:
Three years ago, I decided it was time to upgrade my level by buying my first car. I had worked for about 3 years and saved up some money. The initial plan had been to buy a Tokunbo car. My eyes were set on a Toyota Corolla 2006.

At the time, the Tokunbo of that model was sold for 1.5/6 million naira. My budget was around 1.2 million naira. So, I decided I was going to wait and save up more money so that I can get that model.

But it then happened that it was just at that point that President Buhari came into office and banned the importation of cars via the land borders and started the implementation of the automotive policy. To add to that, the naira went south and the cost of import more than tripled.

By this time, I had saved up to 1.5 million naira but the car’s price had gone up to 1.8 million naira.

I tried speaking to a few friends about it. They all seemed to be surprised why I was hell-bent on buying a Tokunbo when I could get a reliable Nigerian-used car. The two of them I spoke to, told me their first cars were all Nigerian-used cars and they didn’t have any issues with them.

One even told me that his wife bought a Nigerian-used 2008 Honda Accord at the time, and had driven it for two years without issues. In contrast, his Range Rover sport which he bought from the US directly had caused him serious financial trouble, that he was on the verge of selling it at the time.

The other friend told me he has driven 2 cars, none of which were ever a tokunbo car. They were all Nigerian-used and he didn’t find any trouble with them.

In fact, my boss at the time told me his first car was a Nigerian-used car and that I had nothing to fear if the engine was in good shape.

To cut the long story short, that was how I ended up with a 10-year-old Nigerian used car, and it nearly wrecked me. There was no part of that car that I didn’t change before I finally gave up on it a year and a half later.

So, to avoid going through my ordeal, here are 5 mistakes you must avoid when trying to buy a Nigerian-used car.

1. Don’t Buy A Nigerian-Used Car From A Dealer: This is as simple as it sounds. Some car dealers in Nigeria specialise in Nigerian-used cars, and no matter your scepticisms, they will convince you there is nothing wrong with the car.

Some of them will go as far as swearing by their great-grandfather’s grave that the car is in perfect condition. But it is a lie. Their only objective is to transfer the liability to you and collect your money.

So, my advice, buy from directly from the owner.

Click [url]Here To Know Things You Must Do Before Buying A Tokunbo Car In Nigeria[https://www.autosage.ng/things-you-must-do-before-buying-a-tokunbo-car-in-nigeria-2/]

2. Don’t Rely On A Referral: [/b]In my case, one of my friends referred me to the guy who used to sell him his Nigerian-used cars. Because of this, I didn’t bother with some other necessary checks that would have saved me from some future headaches.

So, don’t think because the dealer was referred by a good friend, he will not try to outsmart you and sell you a junk.

Treat the referred seller as though no one in your circle knows him. That would help you to ask all the tough questions needed to unravel the true condition of the car.
[b]
3. Conduct A Thorough Research On the Car’s Model: As I mentioned earlier, it was my first car. So I didn’t know much about cars. And because I trusted my friend who referred me to the dealer, I paid for the car before trying to conduct some research on the car’s model. That was stupid.

Don’t be like me. Read up on the reviews of that model. I recommend Edmunds.com. Find out problems unique to it and how they are solved.

Sometimes the age of the car doesn’t really matter but it matters how long it has been used in Nigeria. A general rule for me is for the car not to be older than 10 years.

A 5-year-old car that has been used for just 3 years in Nigeria will be more prone to technical issues than a 10-year-old car that is just getting into the country.

4. Buy A Toyota Product: At the time I was struggling with my car, I knew a friend who bought a 20-year-old Toyota Camry and was enjoying every bit of it.

But mine was not a Toyota and to avoid the risk of brand misrepresentation, I am not mentioning it here.

But I have also found that Toyota cars are more rugged and generally more reliable than other brands. So, if the Nigerian-used car is what your budget can carry and you can’t wait, just make sure it is a Toyota.

There are more lessons I could share but it will be in part 2 of my next post.

You May Also Like: [url]This Is The Best Way To Avoid Buying A Stolen Car In Nigeria[https://www.autosage.ng/surest-way-avoid-buying-stolen-car-nigeria/]

Did you buy it from the company in the picture you used? If yes, please call or flash me on 08021417286