Although the vehicle was ‘Tokunbo’, a coinage for fairly used items including vehicles imported from overseas, it was almost new and in great condition especially considering its low mileage, neat interior and gleaming coat. In his Abuja neighbourhood, it was the envy of all eyes especially those with a large taste.
The dealer, who sold the car refused to take responsibility for the problem and despite getting the police involved, Eze could not get any reprieve. Eventually, he had to sell off the car after repeated efforts to put it back in shape failed. “I jumped at the offer and that was how I was able to purchase an SUV, which is one of the most patronised vehicles at the moment,” he said.
Beyond the cheap cost of purchasing cars abroad, another major advantage which attract dealers to ‘accidented’ vehicles is the import duty rebate they enjoy. “Customs over-value imported cars. Sometimes you have cases where the customs duties imposed on some vehicles are even higher than the cost of purchasing and shipping the car and when these duties are added to the price of the vehicle at the car stand, very few Nigerians can afford them.
“If the air-bag exploded, the government can accept that it is an ‘accidented’ car but when the air-bag did not blow out, it is just a bash, it is not ‘accidented’. “We have a template for classifying cars as ‘accidented’. At least the airbag must blow out in the accident before the car will be adjudged as ‘accidented’,” he explained.
Difficulties experienced by some people, who acquired refurbished ‘accidented’ cars unknowingly, was the reason a car mechanic, Paul Ogaba, suggested that prospective car owners should consult professionals when buying a vehicle. “But if you take a professional along when going to inspect the vehicle, he will find out this aspect. I advise that Nigerians should get professionals involved whenever they want to buy ‘Tokunbo’ cars,” he said.“The paint should be the most striking indicator that a so-called ‘Tokunbo’ car has been worked on. In most cases when an imported ‘accidented’ car is repaired it will have to be repainted.
“It was a cheaper option and I told my dealer to get it. When it arrived Nigeria, I repaired it and I have been using it ever since. If I did not tell you, you will never know it’s an ‘accidented’ car,” Ikenna said.Indeed, findings by our correspondent indicate that majority of the cars that come into Nigerian ports are ‘accidented’ vehicles.
Hmm I'm speechless.
What is your business? Can you buy a brand new car?
A brand new ranger rover sport will cost you $70k apx, exchange rate to the nearest 100 is 400 and that still gives you 28m. How much does the same car cost in Nigeria?
Even the tokunbo cars these days are no longer affordable due to duties at the port.
They are all tokunbo cars
Nigeria is the dumping ground for useless things from American na today we just they know?
Why can't government subsidise Nigeria made car for d citizens and stop all this lip service work.
Tribalism in play. Innoson motors are producing all kinds of motor car and government did not patronise them, but dangote just start producing motor car bcos his is from d North, government patronise him. Injustice that's killing our country.
I hate hearing that word 'dumping ground' are you guys producing anything? Is it affordable even of you produce a few? Just punish the citizens and let's know where we are headed ban all tokunbo let's start riding bicycle then. Rubbish!!!
I thought Nigeria count tokunbo as new cars. When you guys was calling mr Peter obi liar
This is the beginning, if we don't wake up, when electric cars are everywhere, even Ghana will dump their petrol cars on us. Wake up damn it! 😞😞😞😞
This is the aftermath of a 'failed' policy that was copied from another country
It's a sad reality that tokunbo + accidented cars are the most affordable for the average Nigerian. Government has the power to create a people friendly transportation system that will make these cars needless and less desirable.
Let us start assembly our own before condemning Toks cars, else you are going to deprive the common man from owing a car at least.
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Source: DailyPostNGR - 🏆 11. / 59 Read more »
Source: DailyPostNGR - 🏆 11. / 59 Read more »