The Best Way to Sell a Used Car in Nigeria 2025

How Depreciation Affects The Price of Your Nigerian-used Car

Even if your Nigerian-used car is still in great shape and is properly maintained, the market already sees it differently. This is because buyers assume the roads, weather, and fuel quality here may have affected the car more than a similar model driven abroad.

So, instead of comparing your car with the same model on a foreign website, it’s better to understand the pricing pattern that already exists here.

From real market data, Nigerian-used cars are typically valued at about 35% less than their tokunbo version of the same model and year. This is the average difference most buyers expect.

So, if a Tokunbo version of your car is going for ₦13 million, the realistic starting point for your Nigerian-used version is usually around ₦9.5 million, assuming the car is in very good condition.

How to Prepare Your Car Before You Sell Nigeria

Before you list your car online or take it to a dealership, you need to make sure it looks and feels worth the price you want. Buyers in Nigeria pay a lot of attention to first impression, and the way your car appears can influence how much they’re willing to pay, even before they check the engine.

Here’s how to prepare your car before selling:

• Clean the exterior and interior like the dashboard, seats, and remove personal items.

• Fix small, inexpensive issues, like minor scratches, loose knobs, or missing trims.

• Check the mechanical condition. If there are engine sounds, warning lights, or AC issues, be aware of them. You don’t have to repair everything, but you should know what’s wrong.

• Make sure the car starts and drives smoothly. This is necessary because buyers will test-drive the car. So, ensure the engine idles well and the gear changes are smooth.

• Gather the right documents for selling, like proof of ownership, customs duty (if the car was originally imported) and your personal ID for verification during transfer.

Note: Remove your plate number before handing over the car. The plate number is registered to you, not the vehicle, so it should not go with the car.

Read More:

How to Buy a Foreign Used Car

Ways to Properly Test Drive a Tokunbo Car in Nigeria

How to Inspect a Used Car

Best Ways to Sell a Used Car in Nigeria

Once your car is ready, the next decision is how to sell it. In Nigeria, there are two main options: selling privately or sell through a dealership. Each option has its advantages depending on what matters most to you.

• Selling Privately

  This is when you post your car on platforms like Jiji, Autochek, Facebook Marketplace, or other car listing websites and handle the sale directly with buyers.

  What it Means For Your Price: You’ll likely sell at the standard Nigerian-used market value, which is usually about 35% lower than the Tokunbo price for the same car and year, if your car is in good condition.

  • Pros:

    • You can make more money since there is no middleman taking profit.
    • You control your negotiation range and can walk away if the offer is too low.
    • You’re not forced to sell quickly. You can wait for a buyer who is willing to pay your price.

  • Cons:

    • If you plan to sell a used car in Nigeria yourself, it may take more time to find the right buyer.
    • You’ll need to screen calls, schedule inspections, and be alert to potential scams.
    • You'll have to handle major repairs yourself.
    • You handle the paperwork transfer yourself.

  Despite the cons, selling your Nigerian-used car through this option is best if you are not in a hurry and want to maximize your selling price.

• Selling to a Dealership

  This is when you take your car to a dealership or a car-buying company and they purchase it directly from you, usually on the same day. After the purchase, they handle the repairs, cleaning, and resale themselves

  What it Means For Your Price: Dealers typically offer around 50% less than the tokunbo value because they will handle repairs, cleaning, listing, bargaining, and resale themselves.

  • Pros:

    • When you sell a used car in Nigeria through a dealership, you get paid fast.
    • You don't have to bother about dealing with multiple buyers.
    • You don’t handle repairs or inspection stress.

  • Cons:

    • You will earn less than selling privately.
    • Once sold, you cannot renegotiate if you feel the price was low.

  This option is best if you need cash quickly or don’t want the stress of handling buyers yourself.

How to Price Your Nigerian-used Car in 2025

Now that you understand the general market depreciation, the next step is deciding what your own car is worth right now. The most important factor that influences your final price is the condition of the vehicle.

Buyers aren’t just paying for the model and year, they’re paying for how much repair or maintenance they’ll need to do after buying it.

Here’s how to assess your car honestly and set a fair price:

• Great Condition

  This applies if:

  • • The AC cools well.
    • Suspension is fine.
    • No major warning lights on the dashboard.
    • The engine and gearbox are working smoothly.
    • The exterior and interior are clean and well-kept.

  Expected Pricing: You can stay close to the standard Nigerian-used pricing, which is around 35% less than the Tokunbo version of the same model and year.

  This is where you get the best price because the buyer doesn’t expect to spend extra on repairs.

• Good Condition

  This applies if:

  • • The car runs well overall.
    • The interior shows some wear.
    • There are a few dents or scratches on the body.
    • Minor repairs may be needed (like AC servicing, alignment, or headlamp polish).

  Expected Pricing: Your final price will likely fall slightly below the ideal 35% gap, because the buyer will include their repair cost in negotiation.

  You will still get a fair price, but not top range.

• Fair / Needs Repair

  This applies if:

  • • AC is not working.
    • Gear shifts are not smooth.
    • The car needs bodywork or repainting.
    • Suspension, steering, or electrical issues are noticeable.
    • The engine is overheating or has oil consumption issues.

  Expected Pricing: The buyer will subtract repair cost from your asking price.This can push the price closer to 45%–50% less than the Tokunbo price.

  In many cases, this is the point where selling to a dealer may actually make more sense, because dealers handle repairs themselves and you avoid repair stress.

Where to Check Price Ranges

To avoid overpricing or underpricing, always start by checking the Tokunbo value of your car model and year.

You can do that on Jiji or Tokunbo.io. Once you search your car model there, look at:

• The Tokunbo price

• The average year price

Then apply the realistic Nigerian-used difference:

By doing this, you can price confidently, negotiate clearly, and avoid waiting months because you listed the car too high.

Final Thoughts on How to Sell a Used Car in Nigeria

When you understand how car pricing works here and choose the selling method that matches your needs, it becomes much easier to sell a used car in Nigeria without stress. If you want the best price, selling privately works, but it takes patience.

If you need quick payment, a dealer offer is faster, though the amount will be lower. The key is simple: know your car’s condition, price it realistically, and keep your documents ready.