Buying a used car can help you save a lot of money, especially if it’s your first time purchasing one. There are a few things you should do after buying a used car in Nigeria.

Unlike new cars, most used cars may not be ready for use on the road yet. Even if they are, you still have to do one or two things to be sure. Let’s get started.

9 Things You Should Do After Buying a Used Car in Nigeria

#1. Title Transfer and Registration

This is the most important thing you have to do right away after making payment for the used car in Nigeria.

Regardless of the price, you can’t drive it around in town (legally) unless you make the registration and title transfer.

If you purchased from a dealership, then the paperwork will be filled fast and smoothly.

On the other hand, if you’re buying from an individual owner, then you may have to visit some offices to get things done. You may also have to pay some money.

#2. Fix the Minor Issues

Remember you’ve just bought a used car? Yeah. In the next few days, you might get busy and move on with other day-to-day activities, so the best time to look for and spot minor issues is now.

This can include but is not limited to repairing the lights, replacing the spark plugs, polishing the trim pieces, sealing off dents and many more.

Although you can always do it another time, you don’t know when next you’ll have time. Besides, a stitch in time saves nine.

#3. Call a Trustworthy Mechanic to Inspect your Vehicle

In fact, you bring a mechanic to the pre-purchase inspection. That way, you can be absolute sure that you’re about to pay for a healthy car.

You can also call a mechanic after you’ve purchased the car. An experienced mechanic will know where to check for common problems. He/she will also estimate how much it will cost to fix them.

#4. Check the Car Fluids

Whenever you buy a used car in Nigeria, one of the first things you should do is observe the fluids. Most or all of the fluid system will need to be flushed or bled. If possible, change everything.

By fluids, we mean the brake fluid and coolant. These two are very important, as they are needed for the car brake to function as designed.

If any of the container or immediate body in contact with the fluid is showing signs of leaking, you should change it.

#5. Inspect the Break

We just talked about the brake fluid, and how vital it is. If the fluids are working fine, you should move on to test the whole brake.

Aside from helping to navigate and stop your car, a well-functioning brake can be what will save your life (and your car) by a hair’s breadth in a near-miss accident.

#6. Don’t Forget the Filters

Being a used car, you don’t have to let any of the filters wear out before replacing them. You should Inspect and change the air, fluid, transmission, oil, and water purifier filters.

#7. Inspect the Tyres

You can prevent road accidents by ensuring all the components in your car are working fine. The same can be said for each of your four tires.

Whenever we buy cars in Nigeria, whether new or used, we tend to worry about the appearance and other components we consider to be important.

Many car owners don’t pay attention to their car tyres until it is almost too late. This shouldn’t be the case, as the tyres are the only point of contact between the car and the ground.

Here are some car tyre tips from My Cars First blog.

• Always ensure your tyres grip the road well.
• The age of your tires is very important; the older, the more problems they can give you.
• The tread depth of the tyres should not be less than 3 mm (in the case of wear).

#8. Clean your Car

Well, the car is now yours, so you can wash it as you deem fit. Now here’s the funny thing.

When most people buy cars, they do have in mind things to do with them. Well, most of them don’t think about cleaning.

Why use a car covered in someone else’s sweat and dirt? You should take it to a car wash and make it clean. You can also wash it yourself.

You can read one of our engaging posts where we give a step-by-step guide on how to clean your car like a pro.

Don’t Miss: How to Clean Your Car Interior Like a Pro

#9. The Owner’s Manual

The vehicle owner’s manual is an instructional booklet specified for your vehicle. It contains vital info to make you a better car owner. This includes, but is not limited to maintenance and troubleshooting guides.

Instead of driving off excitedly in your car, why not spare some time to read your owner’s manual and get acquainted?

How to Find Your Car Owner’s Manual

Since you’re buying a used car in Nigeria, it’s possible that the seller won’t provide you with the car owner’s manual. If it’s a modern car, you can find it on the internet.

Look up the official website for your car model. For instance, if you drive a Toyota, you can simply visit the Toyota website and look up your vehicle’s year/make/model or VIN.

Wrapping Up:9 Things You Should Do After Buying a Used Car in Nigeria

There is a large market for used cars in Nigeria. In fact, many people buy them as their first car. The reason for this is not so hard to see.

You can own, drive and flaunt expensive and exclusive models at affordable prices if you buy the used versions.

However, there are a few downsides to buying used cars in Nigeria. One of them is that you’ll have to make a few adjustments before you can start using it.

In this post, we have explored the top 9 things anyone should do after buying a used car. Thanks for reading and don’t forget to get car insurance. Enjoy your new car!