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8 Red Flags That Mean You Should Never Buy That Used Car - Car Talk - Nairaland

Nairaland Forum › Nairaland General › Car Talk › 8 Red Flags That Mean You Should Never Buy That Used Car (13547 Views)

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8 Red Flags That Mean You Should Never Buy That Used Car by Monderides(op): 4:27pm On Aug 04
Every week, thousands of Nigerians buy used (Tokunbo) cars.

Unfortunately, many only discover hidden problems after they've paid.

Some of these problems can cost hundreds of thousands—or even millions of naira—to fix.

Here are 8 red flags you should never ignore before buying a used car:

🚩 Fresh paint hiding accident repairs

🚩 Thick black engine oil

🚩 White, blue, or black exhaust smoke

🚩 Dashboard warning lights that won't go off

🚩 Uneven tyre wear

🚩 Missing service history

🚩 Strange engine or suspension noises

🚩 A seller who refuses an independent inspection

A car can look spotless on the outside and still have serious mechanical issues underneath.

Always inspect before you buy.

What other red flags have you personally encountered when buying or inspecting a used car in Nigeria?

Let's help others avoid expensive mistakes.

(Image attached.)

P.S. If you're buying a car online, take your time, verify the documents, and never rely on photos alone. A proper inspection can save you from buying someone else's problem.

Re: 8 Red Flags That Mean You Should Never Buy That Used Car by id4sho(m): 5:46pm On Aug 06
White, blue, or black exhaust smoke grin


Run from oily exhaust tongue
Re: 8 Red Flags That Mean You Should Never Buy That Used Car by Monderides(op): 12:09pm On Aug 07
id4sho:
White, blue, or black exhaust smoke grin


Run from oily exhaust tongue
very true but often ignored
Re: 8 Red Flags That Mean You Should Never Buy That Used Car by londonerr: 12:41pm On Aug 10
You are superficially correct but I can assure you that it's deeper than these....why is nairaland ads taking up unnecessary space and becoming intrusive?
Re: 8 Red Flags That Mean You Should Never Buy That Used Car by Kingpele(m):
I fail victim around 10 years ago ,I bought Honda baby boy from my guy that was based in Germany, he told me stories of how he doesn't have to keep the car in his garage, since he doesn't come back to Nigeria as often like before ..very nice car I paid for it ..till today I haven't seen that guy again..from one problem to the other...it nearly finished my savings...I sold it out to a friend too ...I was surprised to see my guy at same mechanic shop where I used to repair the car ...well he later sold it to another person I don't know ....
Re: 8 Red Flags That Mean You Should Never Buy That Used Car by Oblongata: 12:48pm On Aug 10
When you hear ‘The ac just need gas’, run o!
Re: 8 Red Flags That Mean You Should Never Buy That Used Car by Nobody: 12:49pm On Aug 10
Kingpele:
I fail victim around 10 years ago ,I bought Honda baby boy from my guy that was based in Germany, he told me stories of how he doesn't have to keep the car in his garage, since he doesn't come back to Nigeria as often like before ..very nice car I paid for it ..till today I haven't seen that guy again..from one problem to the other...it nearly finished my savings...I sold it out to a friend too
reason why I hate Nigerian
Re: 8 Red Flags That Mean You Should Never Buy That Used Car by thesolutions(m): 12:50pm On Aug 10
It's cars week. Let's talk about cars ladies.
Re: 8 Red Flags That Mean You Should Never Buy That Used Car by seunjungle1(m): 12:58pm On Aug 10
From friend to friend to friend.
Can you do me a favour by help me to ask that your friend you sold to, If he has also succeeded by selling to another friend...I want to check something


Kingpele:
I fail victim around 10 years ago ,I bought Honda baby boy from my guy that was based in Germany, he told me stories of how he doesn't have to keep the car in his garage, since he doesn't come back to Nigeria as often like before ..very nice car I paid for it ..till today I haven't seen that guy again..from one problem to the other...it nearly finished my savings...I sold it out to a friend too
Re: 8 Red Flags That Mean You Should Never Buy That Used Car by advanceDNA: 1:01pm On Aug 10
Oblongata:
When you hear ‘The ac just need gas’, run o!
Run because of AC ??…. just factor the cost of buying new compressor …. AC is a small issue if engine and transmission are okay
Re: 8 Red Flags That Mean You Should Never Buy That Used Car by spiSeyi: 1:02pm On Aug 10
The problem with most people is lack of patience and they rush into buying cheap cars bcs of the pressure to impress, oppress or even feel among . Buying Toks or 9ja used this days is just like using your money to buy problem grin. If you buy a used car of 20yrs with over 6000 mileage and above you are likely to waste 3-4x the money you used to purchase it to fix it.
Be patient grow your wealth, multiply your money and get a durable EV or even latest gas powered vehicle.
An EV of 17 M (Chinese Tokunbo which have a very few milage of 1-500 miles) will last up to 5 years without coughing
If it is not EV count me out any journey outside my state and neighboring state is flight ✈️ undecided
Re: 8 Red Flags That Mean You Should Never Buy That Used Car by Riversides2003(m): 1:06pm On Aug 10
That means you will never buy a used car as Tokunbo
Re: 8 Red Flags That Mean You Should Never Buy That Used Car by RollinTNDA: 1:06pm On Aug 10
One 2nd hand car has blood stain on the rug at the back seat. Hmmmmm
Re: 8 Red Flags That Mean You Should Never Buy That Used Car by Riversides2003(m): 1:08pm On Aug 10
Just go to coscharis or Innoson motors cos you will always see this type of car 98% of the time
Re: 8 Red Flags That Mean You Should Never Buy That Used Car by Passionate888: 1:11pm On Aug 10
Engine oil wey don stay long for car go thick and black na
Re: 8 Red Flags That Mean You Should Never Buy That Used Car by Bluna: 1:13pm On Aug 10
seunjungle1:
From friend to friend to friend.
Can you do me a favour by help me to ask that your friend you sold to, If he has also succeeded by selling to another friend...I want to check something
This reminds me of a trader who was paid by a buyer with fake naira notes. Instead of discarding the fake currency, he also used it to pay another trader.

grin grin
Re: 8 Red Flags That Mean You Should Never Buy That Used Car by phr0nesis(m):
Kingpele:
I fail victim around 10 years ago ,I bought Honda baby boy from my guy that was based in Germany, he told me stories of how he doesn't have to keep the car in his garage, since he doesn't come back to Nigeria as often like before ..very nice car I paid for it ..till today I haven't seen that guy again..from one problem to the other...it nearly finished my savings...I sold it out to a friend too
The guy who sold it to you is not your friend, and you are also a big enemy of the person you sold it to.
Re: 8 Red Flags That Mean You Should Never Buy That Used Car by Kingpele(m): 1:38pm On Aug 10
Hahaha Hahaha chai nawooh
Re: 8 Red Flags That Mean You Should Never Buy That Used Car by OnyeObowo1: 1:42pm On Aug 10
Kingpele:
I fail victim around 10 years ago ,I bought Honda baby boy from my guy that was based in Germany, he told me stories of how he doesn't have to keep the car in his garage, since he doesn't come back to Nigeria as often like before ..very nice car I paid for it ..till today I haven't seen that guy again..from one problem to the other...it nearly finished my savings...I sold it out to a friend too ...I was surprised to see my guy at same mechanic shop where I used to repair the car ...well he later sold it to another person I don't know ....
Lmao 🤣🤣 the ozozo continue to spread the gospel
Re: 8 Red Flags That Mean You Should Never Buy That Used Car by dododawa1: 1:42pm On Aug 10
I need car







oooooooooooo
Re: 8 Red Flags That Mean You Should Never Buy That Used Car by marlow1962(m): 1:43pm On Aug 10
All those ac chilling and nothing to fix, buy and drive men will avoid this thread cheesy
Re: 8 Red Flags That Mean You Should Never Buy That Used Car by HacheNoire: 1:44pm On Aug 10
Let me add to it!

Buying a high performance car without knowing where to get high performance fuel. The car will hit the workshop frequently.

Why mechanics have been building houses from Benz, Audi and BMW owners.
Re: 8 Red Flags That Mean You Should Never Buy That Used Car by Samuels90: 1:54pm On Aug 10
Kingpele:
I fail victim around 10 years ago ,I bought Honda baby boy from my guy that was based in Germany, he told me stories of how he doesn't have to keep the car in his garage, since he doesn't come back to Nigeria as often like before ..very nice car I paid for it ..till today I haven't seen that guy again..from one problem to the other...it nearly finished my savings...I sold it out to a friend too ...I was surprised to see my guy at same mechanic shop where I used to repair the car ...well he later sold it to another person I don't know ....
😂😂😂 You are all bad friends. una just de plug una sef for yawa.
Re: 8 Red Flags That Mean You Should Never Buy That Used Car by Urgent1Million: 2:04pm On Aug 10
If you see green smoke, just know that the car was previously used by an alien.
Re: 8 Red Flags That Mean You Should Never Buy That Used Car by AbujaLagos: 2:07pm On Aug 10
Oblongata:
When you hear ‘The ac just need gas’, run o!
I no go make that mistake again. I spent over 300k to fix the ac
Re: 8 Red Flags That Mean You Should Never Buy That Used Car by skydancer: 2:09pm On Aug 10
The easiest one is to tell them to just drive it over inspection center, and use camera and snap the entire underneath before you even come physically.
Re: 8 Red Flags That Mean You Should Never Buy That Used Car by professore(m): 2:42pm On Aug 10
Okkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
1 2 Reply

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