How to inspect a used Car Before Buying in Nigeria: Important Areas to Check
Before we discuss how to inspect these areas, it's important that you never inspect a car when it’s wet. This is because water can hide scratches, dents, and other exterior damage that would be visible on a dry vehicle.
The Car’s Engine
When conducting a vehicle inspection, the engine is one of the first components you should inspect. To do this, you'll have to open the bonnet and check for oil leaks, rust, or corroded wires.
Once that's done, pull out the dipstick and inspect the oil; it should be a clear light brown. If it's black and thick, that means the car has been poorly maintained. If the oil has a milky colour, it could show that the head gasket is faulty.
To further check the engine’s health, you may need to start it and listen for unusual sounds like knocking, tapping, or rattling. Also, keep an eye on the smoke coming from the exhaust.
If the engine is cold, you might see white smoke, which is usually normal and should disappear after some time. If it lingers, it could mean the head gasket is faulty and coolant is leaking into the engine.
Blue smoke usually indicates that oil is burning and leaking into the combustion chamber, while black smoke could mean that the air filter is clogged and is restricting airflow into the engine.
The Car's Mileage
Checking the car’s mileage is also important because it gives you an idea of the vehicle's condition and potential value. If you bought a tokunbo car from the US, it should have an average of 13000 miles per year.
Then, if it was bought in the UK, it should be 7000 miles, and 15000 miles for Canada. However, the general mileage rule for a car that's been used for a year is 12,000 to 15,000 miles.
This means that if a five-year-old Corolla shows only 45,000 miles, that’s a major warning sign and could suggest odometer rollback. To further verify the car's condition, you can match the mileage with certain parts of the car.
For instance, the steering wheel, pedals, and seats. If the steering wheel is shiny, the pedals are worn, or the seats are sagging, but the odometer reads low, something’s not right.
Air Conditioner
In Nigeria’s hot weather, a working air conditioner is a must. So, you need to inspect it too. To know if the AC is in good condition, you'll need to turn it on and see if it starts cooling within a few seconds.
If it takes too long or only blows warm air, the compressor may be faulty, or the system may need a recharge.
As the AC is on, listen for any unusual noises such as clicking or grinding, as these can be signs of a failing compressor. Also, check that air is coming out evenly from all the vents.
If the airflow is uneven, it could mean the system has been damaged, possibly by flooding. Finally, smell the air coming out of the vents. A musty or damp smell may indicate that water has entered the system, which can also point to flood damage.
Tyres and Wheels
When carrying out a vehicle inspection, take a good look at the tyres because they can reveal a lot about how the car has been used. Check the tread depth and make sure it’s not worn below 1.6 mm.
Doing this is necessary because a thin tread can reduce the car's grip on wet roads. If one side of the tyre appears more worn than the other, it may indicate that the suspension or wheel alignment requires attention.
After that, check the tyres' sidewalls for cracks, bulges, or deep cuts. If they're any, it can cause dangerous blowouts while driving.
Don't forget to inspect the wheels for any bends, rust, or cracks that might affect performance. Finally, make sure the boot has a usable spare tyre, a working jack, and a wheel spanner.
Lighting System
The car's light system is just as important as the dashboard. You definitely wouldn't want to drive a car with no headlights and eventually have an accident. So, during the vehicle inspection, switch on the headlights and check both low and high beams.
Checking the interior of the car might not seem important, but you'll have to do so in order to spot tears or stains that may need to be worked on. So, do well to check the seats, dashboard, and carpets.
Then test the brake lights, reverse lights, hazard lights, and trafficators (indicators). If there's anyone around, you can ask them to stand outside so you can confirm if you can clearly see them using the light.
Once done, inspect the headlight covers; if they’re fogged or cracked, they’ll reduce the light's brightness and might need replacing.
Car's Dashboard
A proper vehicle inspection means paying attention to what happens before the engine even starts. This will require you paying attention to the dashboard.
So, go into the car and turn the key to the “on” position. When you do so, the battery, airbag, brake warning, check engine, and odometer light should all briefly come on.
This simple process is called the bulb check; it's the car’s way of letting you know these warning systems are working. Once you start the engine, all the lights should turn off.
If any light stays on, especially the check engine or brake light, that means there's a fault that needs fixing.
Interior of The Car
Lift the floor mats and look for water stains, which could be a sign of flood damage. Then go ahead to test the window buttons, door locks, side mirrors, and infotainment systems to confirm that they all work smoothly.
Lastly, pull the seat belts out fully and make sure they can easily return to their normal position.
Exterior of The Car
For this part of your vehicle inspection, you'll need to do it during the day so you don’t miss any details. During this process, you'll have to walk around the car to check for dents, scratches, or mismatched paintwork..
You'll also need to check if there are uneven gaps between panels or mismatched colors. If any, they can hint that the car was in an accident and repaired..
You can also gently tap the body panels to see if a body filler was used to cover damage. Once done, check the roof, bonnet, and doors for rust spots. This areas are important to check because rust can spread quickly in Nigeria’s climate.
Underneath The Car
For the last part of your vehicle inspection, get low or use a torch to see the undercarriage. When you're down, look for rust, oil leaks, or fresh undercoating paint, which some sellers use to hide corrosion.
You may need to pay close attention to the chassis to see if there are any cracks or bends. If you find any, it can mean that the car was in a serious accident. While you’re under there, also inspect the exhaust system for holes or rust, as replacing it can be pricey.
Conclusion on Used Vehicle Inspection Checklist
A vehicle inspection is an important process you shouldn't skip before purchasing a car. This is because it can help you avoid expenses from constant repair.
However, even with this vehicle inspection checklist, it's always best to go with a trusted mechanic to inspect the car. A mechanic can use diagnostic tools to find out hidden problems and give you a better idea of the car’s overall condition.
If you want to know the real market value of a used car before making a decision, check Tokunbo.io today. It’s a great way to make sure you’re paying a fair price and getting the right car for your needs.