How to Inspect a Tokunbo Car in Lagos (Checklist)

"Tokunbo" is the everyday Nigerian word for a foreign used car: a vehicle used abroad and imported, rather than one already driven and registered in Nigeria. A good tokunbo car can give you years of reliable driving, but you should never buy one on photos alone. Use this checklist on any car, from any seller, and bring a mechanic you trust.

Before you go: paperwork to ask for

Ask the seller to show you these before or at the inspection:

• Customs papers showing that import duty was paid. You can ask the Nigeria Customs Service to verify them.
• The VIN (vehicle identification number). It should match on the documents, the dashboard (visible through the windscreen), the driver's door pillar and the engine bay.
• Purchase or auction records from the country it came from, if available.
• A history report. With the VIN you can run a report from an online vehicle history service, which often shows accident, flood or salvage records and past mileage readings.

If the VIN doesn't match everywhere, or the seller won't show documents, stop there.

Exterior checklist

• Panel gaps: gaps between doors, bonnet and boot should be even. Uneven gaps can point to accident repair.
• Paint: look along the side in daylight. Different shades between panels, overspray on rubber seals or ripples suggest bodywork.
• Rust: check under the doors, around the wheel arches and under the boot carpet.
• Glass: the brand markings on each window should match. A different brand on one window usually means it was replaced.
• Tyres: check tread depth, uneven wear (a sign of alignment or suspension problems) and the date code on the sidewall. Old tyres should be replaced even if the tread looks fine.

Signs of flood damage

Flood-damaged cars are sometimes cleaned up and resold. Look for:

• a musty or damp smell, or heavy air freshener covering one;
• mud, silt or water marks under the seats, under the carpets and in the spare-wheel well;
• rust on seat rails, pedals and screws under the dashboard, where you wouldn't expect it;
• electrical faults: test every window, lock, light, the AC and the infotainment screen.

Under the bonnet

Check with the engine cold if you can:

• Oil: should be clean and at the right level, with no milky colour on the dipstick or under the oil cap.
• Coolant: at the right level, with no oil floating in it.
• Leaks: look under the car and around the engine for oil, coolant or transmission fluid.
• Belts and hoses: no cracks or bulges.
• Cold start: listen for knocking, ticking or rattles, and watch the exhaust for blue or thick white smoke.
• Diagnostics: ask your mechanic to plug in an OBD scanner to read stored fault codes, even if no warning lights are on.

Inside the car

• Mileage should make sense with the wear on the steering wheel, pedals and driver's seat.
• All warning lights should come on briefly when you switch on the ignition, then go off.
• Test the AC on full. In Lagos traffic, a weak AC is a real problem.
• Check seat belts, airbag covers and that every seat adjusts properly.

The test drive

Drive for at least 15–20 minutes, on different roads if you can.

• Gearbox: changes should be smooth, with no jerks, slipping or delay when shifting into drive or reverse.
• Brakes: the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or vibration.
• Steering: no pulling to one side and no knocking over bumps.
• Suspension: listen for clunks over potholes and speed bumps.
• Temperature gauge: should stay steady in the middle.

Buying from us

Every car we list goes through our 150-point inspection, and we share the report on request. You can book an inspection at our Lekki premises and bring your own mechanic, and test drives are available if you're 18 or over with a valid driver's licence. To hold a car while you arrange payment, you can pay the refundable reservation deposit shown on the listing; we hold it for 72 hours.

See what's available: tokunbo cars for sale in Lagos, Toyota cars or all cars for sale.

FAQ

Is a tokunbo car better than a Nigerian-used car?

Not automatically. Many buyers prefer tokunbo because the car hasn't been driven on Nigerian roads, but condition is what matters. Inspect any car the same way, whatever its label.

Should I bring my own mechanic?

Yes. Even when a seller provides an inspection report, an independent check from a mechanic you trust gives you a second opinion.

Can I return a car after buying it?

Cars are sold on a signed sale agreement after you've had the chance to inspect and test drive, so they're generally not returnable, except where your sale agreement or the law says otherwise. That's why the inspection matters. See our returns policy for details.