It’s no secret that almost everyone enjoys a good deal. While this applies to a wide variety of industries, it’s particularly applicable to car dealers. While the United States sells its fair share of new vehicles and used cars, so does Nigeria, home of Africa’s largest economy. From Lagos to Benin, the country is full of potential when it comes to good deals.
If you’re looking to score your dream car and want to do so with some reliability, there are a few ways to get your hands on some great cheap cars in Nigeria.
Use the classifieds.
One of the easiest ways to find second-hand vehicles is through the classifieds. Sites like Jiji, Cheki, and Cars45 are incredibly popular as online marketplaces. Think of these as the Nigerian equivalents of Craigslist in the United States. While you’re unlikely to find a good deal on a shipment through a classified ad, you’ll certainly stand a chance at scoring a quality price on a used vehicle. Of course, since there’s no real customer service department for these kinds of sites and advertisements, you need to be prudent when you’re looking for a used vehicle.
Some of these classified ads aren’t always the most trustworthy. Some are even fronts for smuggling. That’s why it’s important for you as a potential buyer to vet each advertisement as thoroughly as possible so you don’t end up with buyer’s remorse. This is in part due to the rapid growth of the Nigerian economy which recently took over from South Africa in the last year.
Try an auction house.
Auto auctions are some of the best ways to find your dream car. Whether you’re looking for a new car or used cars for sale in Nigeria, it’s a good idea to test out an auction house. Auctions are great for providing buyers with options but you need to familiarize yourself with the entire process before you dive in. First, you need to decide if you’re going to attend an online auction or a local production. A local production might not give you as many options but may be less competitive. However, if you have a particular dream car in mind, an online auction may be your best bet.
Another great thing about online auctions is they sometimes include vehicle shipment with purchase. If, for example, you live in North America and you’re buying a vehicle from Lagos, a free shipment could save you a great deal of money (though you’ll still have to pay international tariffs). You’ll want to look at the automotive policy of an online auction before you buy, however. Again, while there are many reputable sources for online auctions, there are a few that don’t deserve your patronage. Thankfully, many online auction sites have their own support team that can help you in the event of any digital mishaps.
Visit a car dealer.
While this may seem like an obvious choice, there aren’t as many outright dealerships in Nigeria as you’d suspect. However, if you’re not having any luck with an auction and you’ve visited a local assembly, it may be time to visit one of the dealers in the country. Make sure when you’re looking for a car dealer that you don’t accidentally choose a service center instead. Some listings on Google and other search engines are dedicated to shops and inspection centers.
Whether you’re testing your luck with a classified ad or you’re trying out an online auction, you’re bound to find your perfect vehicle, be it a Nissan or an electric car. There are always deals to be had in Nigeria as long as you know where to look.
