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1 step you must never skip before you buy a car in Nigeria
Car VIN Check
The benefit of doing a VIN check in Nigeria before you purchase a car can never be overestimated. It will help save your hard earned money and most importantly your time amongst others. I have always known that some of us would do anything to sell our cars. However, the extent of this malicious act has grown from unreasonable to unfathomable.
You won’t believe what my eyes have seen as I am currently trying to get a 2007-2010 Camry for a client. The issues vary from flooded cars, rolled back mileage and extreme accidents to jalopy cars that look picture-perfect online. The car that drove me to the brink was a 2009 tokunbo Camry on OLX for N2m which looked good enough coupled with the usual hype from the seller.
Nevertheless, something seemed amiss because the price was too good. As usual, I requested for the car’s VIN to determine its history before going for a physical inspection. The disastrous history report revealed it was sold as scrap/destroyed car in USA and shipped to Nigeria 4 years ago, but the seller misrepresented this car to be a clean tokunbo, despite the fact that it has been registered and used in Nigeria for 3 years.
Pix: autocheck.com
These same reasons compelled me to start importing all my client’s cars from the USA and Canada in 2011. It has been cheaper and less stressful. The entire process from purchase to delivery is usually done from the comfort of my home. Fast forward to 2016, looking inward has become inevitable due to the sky-high dollar exchange rate. Therefore, clients with constrained budget have to settle for tokunbo cars while some prefer the Nigerian used cars.
Finally, when a deal seems too good to be true, then you need to be more careful e.g when the price is too fanimorous, the low mileage is not commensurate to the age of the car (e.g a 2001 model regular car will hardly have a mileage of 75,000 miles), when the seller wants you to take the car after paying 60% deposit while the balance will be spread over 3-6 months (in this case, the car is probably a Nigeria used car presented as tokunbo and it’s not worth more than your initial deposit. So the balance you’ll be paying is extra profit to the seller) etc.
Let’s all make Nigeria great again.
Note: Most cars brought into Nigeria as brand new are exempted, nonetheless, it is better to get the history report if possible.
beamzy
July 27, 2016 at 14:22
Nice write up at Autojosh.
AutoJosh
July 27, 2016 at 14:23
Always at your service.
Adeneye Babawale
July 28, 2016 at 07:49
Whoa! This is an eye opener for all that value and negotiate for a car based on exterior assessment or mere looks. I was almost a victim of this when my cash was itching me to let go for just any nice car that looks good. But thanks to AutoJosh. Nigeria is moving towards greatness with AutoJosh. Thanks for being at our service.
AutoJosh
July 28, 2016 at 07:59
Thank you Sir.
Bigsam
July 29, 2016 at 07:56
Please how do I search for this vin u talked about.
Thanks.
AutoJosh
July 29, 2016 at 08:51
Hello,
You can post the VIN at http://www.autojosh.com — forum — car talk — free VIN check.
nijuuha
January 14, 2017 at 01:39
Make enquires for your Autocheck, Carfax & Vin report.Call : 08106145814………it’s affordable.Hurry now!!
Terry
August 1, 2016 at 04:04
I appreciate your nice services. I also need a Camry muscle 2008 or 2010. How do i get it from you?
AutoJosh
August 1, 2016 at 09:17
Sent you an email. Kindly check your inbox.
DAEGOLD
August 20, 2016 at 09:05
Hello there, nice work you got going here….i’m planning on getting a car..MDX Acura 06/08. Can you help with the purchase?
AutoJosh
August 20, 2016 at 14:12
Sure. Anytime.
Dim
August 20, 2016 at 17:07
All these problems with cars. Why not just buy BRAND NEW NAIJA MADE from our own INNOSON. At least, all the stress of importation will be gone. Just pay and carry your car
AutoJosh
August 20, 2016 at 17:10
Innoson is doing an excellent job and Nigeria is getting there faster than we could ever imagine.
Bamigboye taiwo
September 7, 2016 at 07:54
Hello please I need a carmy 2008/2010 his much is it if I want to get it from [email protected]
AutoJosh
September 7, 2016 at 08:29
Between 2.5 and 3m
Gbola
November 10, 2016 at 18:15
Hello AutoJosh,
Are you able to help someone on a tight budget procure a Nigeria used car?
I mean helping the buyer source the car and ascertain the health of the car before payment.
AutoJosh
November 10, 2016 at 19:00
Hi,
I will be able to help ascertain the health of the car. Unfortunately, I may not be able to help with the sourcing because of the several challenges involved.
Thank you for contacting AutoJosh and feel free to contact me if you need further assistance.
Regards.
Gbola
November 11, 2016 at 00:43
How do I contact you?
AutoJosh
November 11, 2016 at 06:42
https://autojosh.com/contact/
Chima Kingsley
November 30, 2016 at 16:58
Bro howmuch will you charge me to get a car for me , and which will be advisable if i always play lagos – abuja on weekly basis .. my budget is 3-5.5m
AutoJosh
November 30, 2016 at 17:39
I import my client’s cars from USA and the charge is $200. If i were to get for myself, I will get a Toyota Venza as first choice and Highlander as second choice. Reasons are reliability, balance and reasonable ground clearance.
musbau
December 14, 2016 at 13:45
Hi, How can u help out to get a volvo s6o btw 2003-2007
AutoJosh
December 14, 2016 at 14:20
Sure. https://autojosh.com/contact/
nijuuha
January 14, 2017 at 01:32
Make enquires for your Autocheck, Carfax & Vin report.Call : 08106145814………it’s affordable.Hurry now!!