₦airaland Forum

GAZZUZZ:
let me inform gazzuzzautos

GAZZUZZ:
in view of threads like this , it is imperative that we talk about paper work.


I will cover nigerian used, and foreign used cars on this.

Lets start with nigerian used cars.

After a full inspection and drive test, if you are comfortable with car, inform seller of your willingness to pay for car at agreed price.

Next insist on sighting all original paper work.

Paper work to expect.

1. License

2. Road worthiness

3. Certificate of ownership

4. Allocation of number plate.

5. Receipts of allocation of number plate.

6. Police CMR (if lagos registered)

7. Receipt for police CMR

8. Receipt of vehicle (if available)

9. Custom duty papers. (might not be original copy)

Now ensure you go with a camera phone, and take pics of all documents.

This is where it gets interesting. On the allocation papers, a GSM phone number is there that belongs to the registered owner of the vehicle , call the number (if possible with your number hidden) explain to the person that you are about to enter into a transaction on said vehicle, and ask if the individual selling has express permission to sell vehicle.
(try and record the call if possible)

Next confirm the custom duty by going to any command in the state for verification.

Finally ensure you get a receipt after payment, do not pay with cash, insist on paying into acc with name of seller on the agreement or better still pay into acc of name on vehicle papers. Also write names in full on agreements ensure witness on sellers side writes info in full. Confirm all info from DL or National ID cards. It is your right.

You can further get a court affidavit and police report for the transaction to further solidify it.

After purchase delete any key on system not in your possession.


Next tokumbor cars-

Do not jump at Cheap cars, there's usually a price to pay long term.

Conduct a vin check, pics will show the number of keys car was sold with, next confirm custom duty. Scan car and confirm number of keys registered to vehicle (only high end scanners can do this)

After purchase delete any key from system which are not in your possession..

No one steals a car and pays custom duty for it, unless car was stolen with duty certificate inside car.

GAZZUZZ:
www.nairaland.com/attachments/6278259_img20171118223829_png86b1fdd441cbc5af05ffac683d095ff5

we have covered engine, tranmission/transaxles, underbody, now lets skip to electicals and electronics in general.

In a modernday Vehicle electronics play a primary role in its operation. It is the major reason flooded cars are written off in the USA.

Not every Vehicle is equipped with sofistcated electricals (e.g 2001/2003 corrola, camry) but there are some vehicles with very complex electrical/electronic setups (e.g 2001/2005 peugeot 406, 607, renault, citron). These are cars that can make a grown man cry when poo hits the fan.

In vehicle inspection, certain factors come into play especially when it comes to nigerian used cars.

Let me give you a small example.

2008 camry I4 came into workshop mid 2017, complain was poor fuel economy, poor gear selection, and a host of christmas lights on cluster.

After diagnosis, I. Informed client that car was flooded in salt water, and every thing electrical was gone. My advice was for him to sell car as is.

Client declined advice and requested a repair. I decided to work on fuel economy.

Replaced engine ecu, o2 sensors, reurned thermostat.

Errors reduced, but still some pending evap codes. Problem was evap canister area was rusted and touching any boLt or nut would result in it breaking. So customer accepted fate and decided to use vehicle as is.

Few weeks later vehicle caught fire on its own without engine being on.

This car was bought nigerian used.


Now I am certain seller knew all issues surrounding vehicle but did not disclose to new buyer.

So I wil repeat, if you open bonnet and see wires flying upandan, close it and run.

You can also use tips on finding out if car was flooded.

Electrical issues are mean.

Try and go with a scanner. If you scan and get a lot of "B" codes, somthing is definately wrong.

If a car is electrically complex, it must come extreely neat in its engine harness and inside interior.

There are some things you cannot hide no matter how you try.

Look out for fresh black tape on electrical wiring, open fusebox and compare ratings of fuses, a car that has been electrically abused will have a clumsy fuse box most times, also look out for direct fan connections, a lot of warnings on cluster.

For certain cars electrical issues ca be restored with ease because they contain very few electrical modules, sadly not every car is wired that way.

In a lot of cases previous case of flooding or accidents contributed to present electrical downfall, if you can afford it, copy out vin and contact computerglobal for a vin report.

More tips soon.

luxy44:
Why you no face your mechanic work? You have tried to be a custom/clearing agent here, now you don enter car sales! Telling people how an engine should look like as if a seller will allow them to open the engine.
Stay on your lane, any car buyer that needs your service for inspection will contact you. Stop writing some impossible stuffs here bro.

seems you have a faulty car you cannot sell

Ngcobop please you still have that mind your business meme?

You are noticed, and ignored.

luxy44:
Why you no face your mechanic work? You have tried to be a custom/clearing agent here, now you don enter car sales! Telling people how an engine should look like as if a seller will allow them to open the engine.
Stay on your lane, any car buyer that needs your service for inspection will contact you. Stop writing some impossible stuffs here bro.

luxy44:
Why you no face your mechanic work? You have tried to be a custom/clearing agent here, now you don enter car sales! Telling people how an engine should look like as if a seller will allow them to open the engine.
Stay on your lane, any car buyer that needs your service for inspection will contact you. Stop writing some impossible stuffs here bro.

luxy44:
Why you no face your mechanic work? You have tried to be a custom/clearing agent here, now you don enter car sales! Telling people how an engine should look like as if a seller will allow them to open the engine.
Stay on your lane, any car buyer that needs your service for inspection will contact you. Stop writing some impossible stuffs here bro.

luxy44:
Why you no face your mechanic work? You have tried to be a custom/clearing agent here, now you don enter car sales! Telling people how an engine should look like as if a seller will allow them to open the engine.
Stay on your lane, any car buyer that needs your service for inspection will contact you. Stop writing some impossible stuffs here bro.

dokiOloye:
Demeanor

a bloody one sef

GAZZUZZ:
I actually jumped this step, it is very important before going to inspect a vehicle, it narrows down the decision making.

Background research on availability/Price of parts.




You see a topic like this and you jump at it

This particular vehicle is prone to 2 problems.

A failing cooling Fan Harness, this causes the Fans to fail, and the engine to overheat.

Also Front impact causes the radiator's expansion tank to come into contact with the compressor, most users do no realize on time and after driving a few weeks overheating occurs.

Engine is made of aluminium (top and bottom) severe overheating and it begins to rattle, smoke and does not do very well with rebuilds.

Price Tag of engine N600,000 (tokumbor)

The second problem associated with this same type of vehicle is its air conditioning.

The compressors Fail at about 40-50,000km, Most technicians are scared of putting the factory spec setup, and use manual compressors, this causes premature belt wear, engine drag, and messy wiring.

Cost of toks compressor N60,000

New compressor N150,000

Next example

Toyota camry 2007-2009 V6.

Major issue to look out for Failing transmission

Cost of TOKs N550,000

Another popular example
Honda accord 2003-2007 V6

Major issue to look out for, Failing transmission.

Note the problems associated with transmission failure on most cars are easily avoidable if proper preventive maintenance is carried out and driving habits are normal.


So basically before buying any car, do a small research into the cost of its most expensive parts, ensure you verify that the Vehicle you are about to buy does not have those issues, and if it does, factor it into the cost of vehicle, then weigh your options, Does it fit your budget after paying for parts and labour?


On to the next 1....

GAZZUZZ:
Red flags to look our for in an engine when buying a car.

Preferably do not rush to start engine, check engine oil level via dipstick, if engine oil colour is very new, be careful! Engine might have been recently rebuilt. Most people who want to sell their cars, do not bother with engine oil changes, and just want to sell of and allow new user do the needful.

Engine oil level should preferably be close to the upper mark on the dipstick, if on the lower mark, engine is either burning oil or leaking oil.

Oil colour should not be black, this signifies abuse by user or a sludge buildup or oil burn.
Engine oil colours to look out for are clear, brown, honey gold, dark brown.

Try and avoid black.

Next do a visual inspection of engine, look out for fresh silicone gum.

When engines are built stock, there is a particular colour/weight of silicone gasket maker used on mating surfaces.
www.nairaland.com/attachments/6233514_img20171106142931_jpeg0f50b2a0e57bbbb3b12afec76c8210bd

www.nairaland.com/attachments/6233515_img20171106142942_jpeg2c871e3d1e304f20cdc615a3327149a8

When engine is brand new, colour is off-white / light grey.

Now what you are looking out for is stock silicone over flow from oil pan, timing chain cover, and possible oil pump areas if visible.

In this part of the world we do not have easy access to same type of factory silicone used so if engine has been worked on in the past, you might get to see colours like black, blue, clear, white...... if you find this on areas like timing chain cover, engine oil pan, it signifies previous work on engine.

Also look out for no silicone . Sounds funny, but yes. When working some technicians clean off excess flow of silicone after it cures, giving a better aesthetic look. No silicone on mating surface means engine was worked on previously.

Samples engine with previous work
www.nairaland.com/attachments/6233555_img20171109125131_jpeg238bab782d37106ef0072e0d23f66344

www.nairaland.com/attachments/6233549_img20171109130341_jpeg036cf61c0d9ced210aaa33fcef65cf90


www.nairaland.com/attachments/6233554_img20171109130332_jpeg01bc0b8683b039465f9d45f7bef6d984

Next inspect the head gasket...

All engines leave the factory with steel type head gasket. It is extremely flat and made out of metal.

https://www.dragzine.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2016/04/2016-04-04_19-48-37.jpg



In most cases when an engine is rebuilt or if it suffers overheating, the gasket is replaced with composite type, usually made from graphite. This gasket is thicker and can be easily identified.

https://www.victorreinz.com/img_cpm/002/images/TSI/tsi_3_Weichstoff-Zylinderkopfdichtung_mit_gespiesstem_Traegerblech_EN_large.jpg


Next inspect for engine oil leaks....

Some oil leaks are expected in high mileage engines, from valve cover gaskets and oil seals. But the cost of fixing a oil leaks vary. While it might cost you about 5k for a valve cover oil leak and take about 30mins to replace on a 4cylinder, a crankshaft oil leak coming from the flywheel area of a V8 will require and engine drop and might cost you over 50,000 in labour costs so it is essential to avoid the costly leaks

Let me also mention that finding transmission oil leaks from flywheel area in this part of the world is a death sentence to the transmission (Gearbox) as only a few people I know can source the correct parts and install torque converter seals properly.

Next look out for different colours......

When an engine leaves the factory (most recent full aluminium engines) they look like this.....www.nairaland.com/attachments/6233574_img20170928184845_jpeg6d3a042b41f9f3ff39cd15999fc3a8afwww.nairaland.com/attachments/6233577_img20170928184756_jpeg5bf247ce91cff4ddd1b5fc3fef7cb4a0www.nairaland.com/attachments/6233581_img20170928184940_jpeg2470277a196c77495270251720108061

Not every engine is made of aluminium, some have steel/cast block engines and aluminium tops.

Now when inspecting and you find one part newer than the other, it signifies a part was replaced. It is normal to replace a defective part, e.g starter motor, water pump, p/s pump, alternator... but when the timing chain cover is newer than the cylinder, or the cylinder is newer than the aluminium block, then a serious operation took place in the life of the vehicle. If she's been bleaching, don't take her home

Next check coolant level and type......

If water is used, owner is not the careful type, not a death sentence, but better if you observe coloured coolant.

If coolant or water is below normal level in the radiator, there is a problem, there might be a leak or engine burning coolant .

Next open boot and go through all the stuff in it, it most times reveals the life support vehicle gets

Let me explain further...

If you find cans of brake oil, powersteering oil, engine oil, small keg of water, sparkplugs, coils, ATF.... it is either owner meticulously keeps them for just in case, or na daily topping ritual

Now time to start the engine............

GAZZUZZ:
I will update soon.....

GAZZUZZ:
lets look at car body and interior.

You can replace engine and transmission of a vehicle with ease, you can replace suspension parts with ease, airconditioning parts can be replaced, but in the normal nigerian setting, the body of a car with a bad history of rust and panel beating + poor paintwork is not economically slavagable.


TY bello quality car picture adverts are all over the internet, do not buy a car based on pictures, go and physically inspect vehicle.

I have been disappointed too many times when I see a vehicle looking really sharp in pictures, only to get to vehicle and see a totally different car riddled with dents and scratches. Pics taken from certain angles will not reveal dents.

One of my vehicles was recently involved in an Accident, the accident involved the front right fender, front right door, and rear right door. I initially had it panelbeated, sadly I was not comfortable with quality of panelbeating, it would have required too much body filler and paint work would have not come out as expected.

www.nairaland.com/attachments/6049032_img20171002095036_jpegc37ba6b302e6dfe4eadc708bb0af57ab

www.nairaland.com/attachments/6059526_img20171004092414_jpegfa2a24eb7c76b37d7c98b9a18f02ac3b


Finally replaced doors and fender with dent free replacements, the finished work was as expected.

www.nairaland.com/attachments/6059470_img20171004170003_jpegeabe2c29a339ad74a85ad07e8d8fcd20

www.nairaland.com/attachments/6086699_150764933452136061848_jpegd3374b0d8c4479c3d4ea63871a9a7495
www.nairaland.com/attachments/6302299_img20171123122651_jpeg54011e4941b915895e0bf453d050b9fe

www.nairaland.com/attachments/6302311_img20171123122533_jpeg4599eb987764d5bf2214db6b7fd50d3e

One of the few things that differentiate a tokumbor car and a nigerian used car are dirt and dents

When inspecting vehicle for dents go close and look at vehicle at an angle, if its not straight some form of panel beating work might have taken place.

Doors can always be replaced and resprayed, same with fenders and trunk. But damage to the frame of a vehicle should be avoided.

[img]http://www.fixation.ca/photos/Frame-Absorb.jpg[/img]


More tips on body today.....

MrBigiman:
Sell this ur ride to me for 550k. God bless.

GAZZUZZ:
www.nairaland.com/attachments/6278259_img20171118223829_png86b1fdd441cbc5af05ffac683d095ff5

we have covered engine, tranmission/transaxles, underbody, now lets skip to electicals and electronics in general.

In a modernday Vehicle electronics play a primary role in its operation. It is the major reason flooded cars are written off in the USA.

Not every Vehicle is equipped with sofistcated electricals (e.g 2001/2003 corrola, camry) but there are some vehicles with very complex electrical/electronic setups (e.g 2001/2005 peugeot 406, 607, renault, citron). These are cars that can make a grown man cry when poo hits the fan.

In vehicle inspection, certain factors come into play especially when it comes to nigerian used cars.

Let me give you a small example.

2008 camry I4 came into workshop mid 2017, complain was poor fuel economy, poor gear selection, and a host of christmas lights on cluster.

After diagnosis, I. Informed client that car was flooded in salt water, and every thing electrical was gone. My advice was for him to sell car as is.

Client declined advice and requested a repair. I decided to work on fuel economy.

Replaced engine ecu, o2 sensors, reurned thermostat.

Errors reduced, but still some pending evap codes. Problem was evap canister area was rusted and touching any boLt or nut would result in it breaking. So customer accepted fate and decided to use vehicle as is.

Few weeks later vehicle caught fire on its own without engine being on.

This car was bought nigerian used.


Now I am certain seller knew all issues surrounding vehicle but did not disclose to new buyer.

So I wil repeat, if you open bonnet and see wires flying upandan, close it and run.

You can also use tips on finding out if car was flooded.

Electrical issues are mean.

Try and go with a scanner. If you scan and get a lot of "B" codes, somthing is definately wrong.

If a car is electrically complex, it must come extreely neat in its engine harness and inside interior.

There are some things you cannot hide no matter how you try.

Look out for fresh black tape on electrical wiring, open fusebox and compare ratings of fuses, a car that has been electrically abused will have a clumsy fuse box most times, also look out for direct fan connections, a lot of warnings on cluster.

For certain cars electrical issues ca be restored with ease because they contain very few electrical modules, sadly not every car is wired that way.

In a lot of cases previous case of flooding or accidents contributed to present electrical downfall, if you can afford it, copy out vin and contact computerglobal for a vin report.

More tips soon.

SmartchoiceNGR:
Hey be careful...that car is a gift to my ministry.

luqken:
Hello Gazzuzz,

i got this from VIN check i did on a CRV i intend to buy.

2003 Honda CR-V EX
VIN: SHSRD788X3U110065
Style / Body: SUV 4D Engine: 2.4L I4 MPI
Country of Assembly: United Kingdom

My question is this, does the country of assembly determine if it is RHD or LHD.

On physical examination, the Car is LHD and no sign of conversion from my lay man point of view.

Thanks as i expect a quick response to make a decision ASAP.

GAZZUZZ:
the car is in the Usa so it is left from factory.

luqken:
On further probe from the VIN number I noticed the car was bought as a salvaged car and repaired here.
the picture (as was bought) is here.
My question now is do you advise I go ahead with d buy. I noticed you once advertised a CRV bought in this way and fixed here in Naija.

oau147:
pls my Toyota camy ,2007 muscle steering shakes wen I drive at 70mph to 100 mph and also d steering wheel shakes wen I apply d brakes pls wat is d solution to it, I have done wheel balancing and alignment and recently change one of d front thyroid

GAZZUZZ:
I actually jumped this step, it is very important before going to inspect a vehicle, it narrows down the decision making.

Background research on availability/Price of parts.




You see a topic like this and you jump at it

This particular vehicle is prone to 2 problems.

A failing cooling Fan Harness, this causes the Fans to fail, and the engine to overheat.

Also Front impact causes the radiator's expansion tank to come into contact with the compressor, most users do no realize on time and after driving a few weeks overheating occurs.

Engine is made of aluminium (top and bottom) severe overheating and it begins to rattle, smoke and does not do very well with rebuilds.

Price Tag of engine N600,000 (tokumbor)

The second problem associated with this same type of vehicle is its air conditioning.

The compressors Fail at about 40-50,000km, Most technicians are scared of putting the factory spec setup, and use manual compressors, this causes premature belt wear, engine drag, and messy wiring.

Cost of toks compressor N60,000

New compressor N150,000

Next example

Toyota camry 2007-2009 V6.

Major issue to look out for Failing transmission

Cost of TOKs N550,000

Another popular example
Honda accord 2003-2007 V6

Major issue to look out for, Failing transmission.

Note the problems associated with transmission failure on most cars are easily avoidable if proper preventive maintenance is carried out and driving habits are normal.


So basically before buying any car, do a small research into the cost of its most expensive parts, ensure you verify that the Vehicle you are about to buy does not have those issues, and if it does, factor it into the cost of vehicle, then weigh your options, Does it fit your budget after paying for parts and labour?


On to the next 1....