Following

Sometimes it is better to run from minor dents and scratches if you don't have anybody to physically check before auction

Mine was a sweet story because the person was on ground. Vehicle was listed 'as does not start', however that was when the car was brought to the auction. It only needed the key be reprogrammed which was done and my contact assured me that he even started the car himself. The 'does not start' label scared people away and he was the only one that bid and also won the bid at a very cheap price . And I have been enjoying the car for over a year now without any issues

GAZZUZZ:



4var.....

Following.............with my popcorn beside me...

Bought a car on iaai,had just minor dents and scratches,but stated as run and drive. Car was clean enough for me. When the car got to Lagos port,it didn't start,it was discovered that the car a had burnt out gasket. Had to change it and plug coils. Car is doing fine till now.

krisrock:
Mine was a sweet story because the person was on ground. Vehicle was listed 'as does not start', however that was when the car was brought to the auction. It only needed the key be reprogrammed which was done and my contact assured me that he even started the car himself. The 'does not start' label scared people away and he was the only one that bid and also won the bid at a very cheap price . And I have been enjoying the car for over a year now without any issues

I bought a Car like dis Dis...This is just thr best car to buy if one is being Lucky to get it

Hmmmm.
I get one long story.
Early 2016,searched for a car on copart.Saw.
mild rear impact.
Had an acquaintance over there in d US bid for it and got it at an appreciable price.
Sent to shipper/Grimaldi. Got bill of Laden,ship was supposed to dock in Lagos on d 21st day,it actually reached on d 18th.
Already paid agent 900k he charged.Agent called me n said ship has docked but he didn't see my car,that shipper probably didn't load it into d ship.
Lots of back n forth calls,Grimaldi now agreed car was mistakenly offloaded at Ghana,that it will come with another ship in a week.
1 week turned to 1 month.They finally said they couldn't find any ship coming to Naija, that it was taken back to New York and will come in another 3 weeks.
Finally, it came to Lagos(2 months after it should've).Agent now called me n said "oga,your motor get problem, custom increased their fees".He already paid d duty etc d 1st time car was supposed to come 2 months ago.
I called ppl who work in d port and they said customs no increase anything. I took evening flight to Lag n went wt a customs officer friend to Tin can d following morning.
Turned out d crook(agent) paid for a 2007 while car was 2009 then used biro to alter d 7 to a 9.
Unfortunately 4 him,d custom officers he did d wayo wt had been changed during that 2 months hiatus.
Customs now imposed all manners of fines and penalties on d car meaning I was supposed to pay nearly another 1m.Wanted to make trouble wt d agent(customs were also looking for him to lock up) but his colleagues there reminded me he has nothing to lose and car is mine and d more it stays d more d demurrage.of cos,him done disappear though I knew he was around.
Rallied round and borrowed from parents, siblings and paid off d fines and bribes.Them comot motor,it was already vandalized. Booth was empty,all these branded Mercedes aux cord,star logo on d front grille,trafficators etc were already stolen.Car was intact when it was bought,I had pictures.
Hired battery and started d car,drove to where I stayed in Festac,went to Ladipo and Trinity to buy jack, spare,wheel spanner,rear bumper ,star logo,etc.
Drove car to d east after a few days.Zero customs wahala on d road cos I pay and overpay sef.
Summary,d high BP no be here.
Will i go that route again,hell yeah,I'm a forking risk taker, adrenaline junkie but preorder no be for d faint hearted ooo.
When car wouldn't crank at d port,I assumed something expensive was already stolen but na battery finally.
car came at 67k miles,almost zero issues since,just suspension shii and oxygen sensor (prolly bad fuel)
Forgive my long epistle

It depends on the vehicle. If its a regular one like Toyota, Lexus, Benz, Honda e.t.c, I won't even think of pre-order.

One, as a result of the volume of these vehicles coming into the country, I am sure of getting a very good one with little patience.

Two, the headache that comes with it is not worth it. Better to have someone else undertake the risk and pay him 100-200k extra for doing that. Besides, more often than not, after fixes have been made, the total cost that brings it to ones doorstep is almost the same with the price you would have gotten an already imported one; that's if you dont even spend more.

Unfortunately, I'm a sucker for scarce vehicles. If I had the means, I'll engage manufacturers to make special vehicles for me alone . I don't like anything that doesn't feel special and that's the only reason I'll be forced to go the pre-order route when buying vehicles.

I have pre-ordered cars and also bought here in Nigeria.....Lot of experiences i would have loved to share but no time to type now. The core truth is that nothing in life is guaranteed. You may find a trustworthy car dealer and shit will still go wrong.

rationalmind:
It depends on the vehicle. If its a regular one like Toyota, Lexus, Benz, Honda e.t.c, I won't even think of pre-order.

One, as a result of the volume of these vehicles coming into the country, I am sure of getting a very good one with little patience.

Two, the headache that comes with it is not worth it. Better to have someone else undertake the risk and pay him 100-200k extra for doing that. Besides, more often than not, after fixes have been made, the total cost that brings it to ones doorstep is almost the same with the price you would have gotten an already imported one; that's if you dont even spend more.

Unfortunately, I'm a sucker for scarce vehicles. If I had the means, I'll engage manufacturers to make special vehicles for me alone . I don't like anything that doesn't feel special and that's the only reason I'll be forced to go the pre-order route when buying vehicles.

Buying from here has it's own risks too except you have above average knowledge about cars.
If you spend 2 days in Tin can you'll understand 85% or even more of the cars coming into Naija are severely damaged cars.
No wonder ppl buy clean looking cars but na mechanic workshop from day 1.