When it comes to buying a used car as a Nigerian, the thing you must decide on is whether you want to get a Nigerian used car or a foreign used car, which is also known as a Tokunbo car.
On the surface, many people would easily prefer tokunbo cars because of the belief that they are of higher quality, while others may prefer Nigerian used cars because they are often more affordable. Beyond these two reasons, there are many other things to consider before making this choice, which we capture in this article:
Factors to consider before you decide whether to buy a Tokunbo or Nigerian Used Car
1. Condition of the car
If you are concerned about the condition of the car, most of the time, going with a tokunbo car is better than a Nigerian used car.
Because of the maintenance culture of Nigerians, poor road conditions, and financial difficulties, most Nigerian cars are not maintained as they should be. Also, the lack of expert car mechanics in most parts of the country and a market flooded with fake and substandard car parts, it is difficult to get an average Nigerian used car that is good.
On the other hand, mostly brought from countries such as the United States, the UK, Canada, Australia, and Europe, Tokunbo cars generally have better condition since those places ensure to maintain a good standard of cars.
2. Cost
The second thing to consider is the cost of the car you are getting. Most of the time, the cost of a Tokunbo car is always high, considering that they are shipped from different countries. Another reason why Tokunbo cars are mostly expensive is that they are of better condition than Nigerian used cars.
If you want to buy a car but you do not have much money, the best bet is to go for a Nigerian used car, or buy a brand new car on hire purchase. Whichever you are going for, it is important to have the car checked properly and
One more thing to consider about the general cost of a Tokunbo car is that there may also be some hidden charges after you have purchased the car, which may come in the form of customs duties and clearing fees.
3. Higher resale value
The resale value of a Tokunbo car is mostly higher than that of a Nigerian used car. This is because the condition of a Tokunbo car is mostly better, and the mileage you get when buying a Tokunbo car is mostly lower than what you get with a Nigerian used car.
4. Available option
Another place where Nigerian used cars score higher points than Tokunbo cars is in options. The options available for Nigerian used cars are vast in the country when you want to buy. However, the options of tokunbo cars available for Nigerians are not vast, unless you are willing to wait for some time.
What this means is that Nigerian used cars are readily available in local car markets across the country, but except for places such as Lagos and Port Harcourt, Tokunbo cars are not readily available in most parts of Nigeria.
SEE ALSO: 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Car on Hire Purchase
5. Maintenance
Unless one is buying popular tokunbo cars such as Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, Honda, and a few others, the maintenance of most imported cars is very difficult in Nigeria due to the lack of parts. Tokunbo cars, such as Jaguars, Chevrolets, and many other supercars, are very difficult to maintain in Nigeria, and their parts are rarely available.
Conclusion
In summary, the question of whether to buy a Tokunbo or Nigerian used car will depend on the buyer. Nonetheless, if a quality car is what you are going for, over everything else, then a Tokunbo car is what you should buy. On the other hand, if cost or readily availability is what you are considering, a Nigerian used car is what you should go for.
