Six things you should know before buying that car
Getting a car can be an exciting adventure, but it requires a savvy mind. There is more to buying a car than merely inspecting for dents or paint finish.
A careless car purchase can mark the beginning of an endless cycle of visits to the mechanic, unnecessary expenses and frustration. With Nigeria spending 676.3 billion on the importation of used cars between 2018 and 2019, it is important to know the true state of a car, before you make that purchase.
As a first time (or repeat) car buyer, what should you be on the lookout for as you close the deal?
1. Accident History
One of the most important questions to ask a car dealer at the point of sale, is the accident history of a vehicle. And if the car has been involved in an accident, to inquire about the level of damage to the chassis, which is the skeleton of the car.
Usually, dealers will try to hide this information from a buyer, but a point-blank question on this should reveal the true state of things.
Unofficial reports have stated that 70% of the vehicles that are imported into Nigeria are accidented. That is they have been involved in some form of accident, then imported, and upon delivery, fixed and packaged and then resold.
It is cheaper for a car dealer to buy an accident vehicle, and then increase his profit margin by selling for a significantly higher rate than cost price.
Ordinarily, the fact that a vehicle has been involved in an accident reduces its value, however, if this fact is concealed, the unwary buyer could still end up paying the market price or an even higher price for it.
Though selling an accidented car is not illegal, it would be unethical for a car dealer to conceal this potentially dangerous fact from a buyer (which is why everyone needs a great mechanic. Cars45’s GoMechanic45 is a great place to start)
Omololu Adebayo a Technical Operations professional with Cars45, speaking on the effect of an accident on the chassis of a car says, “If the chassis of a car has been damaged in an accident, the alignment of the car might be off and this will eventually wear on the tyres of the car. This will require the buyer to constantly change tyres regularly.”
Knowing the full details of the accident history of a car is important, to determine the extent of the damage and whether or not to go forward with such a purchase.
2. Engine-Transmission
If a car was involved in a major accident, the airbag will be deployed. Though the airbag can be replaced, in the case of a serious accident, the airbag light from the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) will remain on, signalling a malfunction.
The MIL is the display of lights on the dashboard of a vehicle that indicates the state of the engine. According to Omololu Adebayo on the issue of the MIL, “If you turn on the ignition of any car, all those lights should come on, but once you start the engine, the lights should go off. The airbag light, engine light, everything. If the light stays on, then there is a problem.”
To conceal the fact that there has been an accident or there might be a fault with the car, a shady car dealer might block out the indicator light, to throw off a prospective car buyer. Another light that may be blocked is the ‘check engine light’, and this signals a problem, either with the engine or with the transmission. A faulty transmission can cost as much as N500,000 to be replaced!
It is important to ask the dealer about the state of the engine-transmission of a car, before going ahead with the purchase. PS. If you already have a car, you should get it inspected. You can head over to any Cars45 location and get your car inspected for N5,000; and you can also have them come to the comfort of your home for N10,000.
3. Exhaust Smoke
There are three colours of smoke that cars emit – black, blue or white. White smoke is an indication of a major problem with the car.
Ordinarily, when a car engine just begins running, the exhaust emits white smoke and after a while, this disappears. But if the smoke persists, this can be an indication of a major malfunction.
4. Rust
The chassis of a car, which is its skeleton is susceptible to rust, especially if overexposed to water. It is important when purchasing a vehicle, to check for severe rust particularly underneath the vehicle.
Rust in the suspension parts of a vehicle, which includes the shock absorber, steering system, wheels, is particularly dangerous because this could go unnoticed for a long time and is difficult to replace.
A car with severe rust is likely to cave in or break off suddenly. Rust can be easily concealed with paintwork. This is why it is important to check underneath the car for signs of rust. (Cars45 offers one-year warranty anti-rust underbody coating)
5. Documents
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, between 2018 and 2019, Nigeria spent N1.08 trillion on the importation of used cars and motorcycles into the country.
To gain access into the country, these vehicles need to be cleared by the Nigeria Customs Service, upon which a Customs clearance document will be issued. The customs clearance document is an important document to request from a dealer or seller before purchasing a vehicle. This is to avoid being harassed by Customs officials on the highway who are looking out for smuggled or stolen vehicles.
It is not advisable to buy a car without proper documentation. Ask for documents and know the documents to ask for. And it helps if you buy from a credible source like Cars45 – whether you are looking to buy for yourself one car or they are multiple vehicles for company.
6. Air Conditioning
Another important part of a vehicle to inspect before a purchase is the air conditioner. A faulty air conditioner, while not an indication of any internal fault, will be difficult to fix. This is due to the paucity of capable air conditioner technicians. If a car’s air conditioner is faulty, it might require replacing the entire system.
Finally, it is important to go with a trusted mechanic to a car dealership, before purchasing a car. The mechanic should bring along with him, the OBD scanner. The scanner enables the mechanic to fish out any faults that might have been concealed by the blocking of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL). Cars45 can provide you with expert technicians to go with you for a pre-purchase inspection.
Buying a car, especially a first time purchase is usually exciting, but that excitement can be short lived if one ends up with a liability instead of an asset. Pick that car carefully! And then, treat it with pride when you finally get it (who knows, you can swap it later, for a better one)
