6 Things To Do After Buying A Tokunbo Car In Nigeria

Everyone is usually particular about what is necessary before buying a car. They take into detail the price, model year, features, specifications, and also documentation of the tokunbo car they want to buy. Much research is done by these buyers. A lot of process and planning is entailed when buying a car, especially for those who are first-time buyers.

But, when detail is given to what to do before the sale, much cognizance is given to what to do after the sale has been carried out. After you have the keys to your used car, what is the next step? Most people are sometimes confused about what to do and the procedure to follow after the sale has been initiated and the car is in their hands. We have created this list to help you know what to do after buying your tokunbo car.

• Insure Your Vehicle

It’s a good idea to compare insurance providers and obtain quotes before you purchase a vehicle. You should examine insurance providers, plans, and costs in addition to checking if the automobile you intend to purchase will fit within your insurance budget. The age and value of the automobile, your age, your driving history, your credit score, and the deductible you select are just a few of the variables that affect insurance costs. Additionally, there are particular coverage criteria that must be satisfied by different insurance companies.

There’s a considerable possibility the price of the automobile you’re buying will be different from the price of your present vehicle. Some sellers already have the used car insured, you can decide to continue with that insurance plan after getting the necessary information from the seller himself. You can also contact the insurance company to see if the current plan works for you. You would have to change all sensitive information of the sellers to yours if you decide to go ahead with the former coverage. 

• Transfer the title and register the vehicle 

Your automobile has to be registered in order for you to legally operate it on public roads. Fortunately, before you leave the dealership, whether you purchase a new or used automobile from a dealer, they will usually handle the paperwork for at least a temporary registration. The cost of the service will be incorporated into the fees you pay when buying the vehicle. In certain areas, dealers may handle all aspects of registration and issue you a plate number there.

The process of vehicle registration is not so easy, so as soon as you have your used car in your possession, you should start the process of vehicle registration. You will need to collect some documents from the dealership you bought your car from; a letter of attestation, delivery note, receipt of purchase or invoice, and vehicle ownership proof. Then you can proceed to the State Board of Internal Revenue or Motor Licensing Authority with your valid means of identification in mind. This is where your plate number would be issued to you after the process has been completed.

• Make sure you are familiar with the manual

Some consumers might be tempted to overlook this step. However, buying a used car requires a significant financial commitment, so it’s critical to understand every aspect. It’s a good idea to thoroughly check the owner’s handbook for important information even if you generally don’t need to read it from cover to cover.

Normally, second-hand vehicles do not come with a manual, or if the seller kept it from the first time he bought it, he might hand it over to you if you ask. You may often obtain car details online as well. In addition to the majority of car owner’s manuals being accessible online, there are several forums and enthusiast websites that offer many more resources to owners. This might be very useful if you purchase a second-hand automobile without an owner’s manual.

• Organize routine maintenance.

Every automobile needs routine maintenance. Different situations call for different things at different times. The information should have been available online or in the owner’s handbook if you followed the previous step. When you purchase a second-hand automobile from a dealer, it should have had recent maintenance. The dealer should offer you the car’s maintenance history, but none of this is guaranteed. It might be challenging to determine the quality of a private vendor. It’s challenging to verify whether the automobile had sufficient maintenance, according to the seller. In a perfect world, the vendor would be able to provide you with records.

If the dealer or private seller doesn’t give you information or maintenance records, you’ll have to rely on your own judgment or seek advice from a technician to ensure that all necessary maintenance is carried out as soon as you gain ownership of the vehicle. You’ll feel better after doing this, and you’ll have a new starting point moving forward.

• Make appropriate repairs.

Because the vehicle is used, repairs could or might not be required. Ideally, you should have had the automobile inspected before purchasing it. It’s possible that you’ve previously discussed prospective repairs with the technician doing the inspection or that you have other plans for them.

You will need to determine if you want any aesthetic problems corrected if there are. However, mechanical issues should be taken care of right away because they might cause more expensive issues later on. It’s crucial to learn if the car has any outstanding recalls that haven’t been fixed. If so, make an appointment with your mechanic to get them fixed.

• Take the car for a drive

We hope you gave the automobile a decent test drive before making the final decision to buy it. Most likely, when you purchased it, you also had to drive it home. To get a feel for its general driving qualities, it’s crucial to take it on a longer, more involved drive.

First, we advise driving around your area. Make sure that the driver’s seat, steering wheel, and mirrors are all set correctly. Once you’re comfortable, take to the open road to accelerate the vehicle and become accustomed to its braking and acceleration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

We think it is very good to know what to do after you buy your car. We have created this guide to help you go about it. For a used vehicle, it is important you take the car to the mechanic for an inspection to see if there is something that needs to be changed. You can also use the time to get a new paint job or upgrade your car to suit your taste.