Sorting through used cars can be challenging. There are so many brands, models, prices, trim levels, and configurations to choose from. But if you want to get a cheap, reliable used sedan, hatchback, or coupe in Nigeria, there are some easy ways to target your search and find exactly what you need.
Follow these eight tips laid out to find the most reliable used car that’s perfect for you.
- Choose a Brand That’s Notable for its Reliability
This one seems a little too obvious, but it’s good to lay out there anyway. Want a reliable used car? Buy a used car from a reliable brand. Consider a Toyota Corolla or a used Honda Civic, you’ll get better reliability.
Look at brands like Toyota, Honda, Lexus, and even up-and-comers like Hyundai. If you don’t know where to start, start with the most reliable used midsize cars like the Honda Accord, Hyundai Elantra, and Toyota Camry.
- Look for Reliable Used Cars For Sale by Private Owner
In general, private car sales are cheaper than buying the same make, model, and year from a dealership. You’re also more likely to access relevant and accurate vehicle history and have more accurate service records than a car with multiple owners.
- Buy the Cars Own By Older Drivers
It may be nothing more than a stereotype, but it’s a commonly held belief that the older generation just does a better job of caring for their cars. They tend to put fewer miles on the engine, keep up with maintenance more rigorously, and store their cars indoors.
Those are the reliable used cars that are most likely to give you another decade or more of use. Just make sure to keep babying them the way their former owners did.
- Check for a Clean Record: No Flood or Accident Damage
One way to get a reliable used car is to avoid any used car with an accident record and don’t mess with flooded vehicles. One exception is unless you can view records and receipts that the accident damage was very minor or only cosmetic, such as damage from rain storms.
If you’ve got the budget for a slightly newer car, three-year-old cars offer affordable and attainable value, they’re less likely to have been in an accident, and the right car can be reliable for a decade or longer.
- Ask About the Dealership Maintenance History
Shopping for reliable used cars can leave a lot of unanswered questions, but you can clear up a lot if you get a detailed maintenance history on the vehicle. It’s a bonus if a dealership has serviced the car over its lifetime.
This isn’t to say that a local independent mechanic can’t provide exceptional service. But, maintenance provided by certified dealerships tends to be better documented.
You can even try to compare the service records to the car’s recommended maintenance schedule included in the owner’s manual. If the car doesn’t have an owner’s manual (this may be a red flag for reliability) you may be able to find a copy online.
- Always Get Some Sort of Maintenance Records
Whether you’re buying from a private sale or a dealership, always try to get proof of maintenance. If you buy from a seller who’s been obsessive about maintenance and repairs, your used car is more likely to be reliable for the long term.
What to look for in used-car maintenance records:
- On-time oil changes
- Consistent service visits that match the recommended intervals
- Repairs made with high-quality
- Shop for Cars with a Majority of Highway Miles
How many miles is too many for a used car? A sedan with over 100,000 miles won’t necessarily be an unreliable used car. Ask about the owner’s driving habits—if those miles were mostly on the highway, you’ve got a good deal in front of you.
High-mileage used cars are typically much cheaper than those with less than 75,000 miles but can last twice as long as a city-only driver the same age and model.
- Be Specific and Strategic in Your Search
If you’re starting from zero, you can always look at reliable used vehicles recommended by trusted sources Carmart.ng to narrow your search. From there, you can start to narrow down by price and look for terms like “one owner,” “accident-free,” “dealer-maintained,” etc.
It may take a little longer to sort through the hundreds (or thousands, depending on where you live) of used cars near you, but this method can help you find the best deals.
Conclusion
Nothing beats buying a reliable car, especially if you are looking for a used car. The reliability of a used car assures you that it’ll live longer, and every car buyer whether new or used to prioritize reliable cars.
