I sold my first Tokunbo car in 2019—a clean 2012 Toyota Corolla. I was convinced it would sell within a day. Instead, it sat at Berger Market for almost three months. Every day meant extra parking fees, weekly car washes, and constant calls from agents asking, “Oga, you no go reduce price?” The problem wasn’t … Read more
Last year, a buyer visited my office in Lagos with the documents for a 2016 Toyota Corolla. At first glance, everything looked genuine. The vehicle licence, proof of ownership, roadworthiness certificate, and insurance certificate all had stamps, signatures, and official-looking security features. However, after checking the documents more closely, it became clear that they did … Read more
I have seen buyers lose Tokunbo cars worth millions of naira because they failed to verify the Customs documents before making payment. One customer in Ibadan bought a 2014 Toyota Highlander from a dealer in Lagos. The vehicle looked clean, drove well, and came with documents that appeared genuine. However, several months later, the vehicle … Read more
When many Nigerians see the price of a Tokunbo car in Cotonou, they assume that is the final amount they will pay. That is one of the biggest mistakes first-time buyers make. A follower recently bought a 2015 Toyota Camry in Cotonou for ₦6.5 million. After the vehicle arrived at the Seme border, he was … Read more
You just bought a Nigerian used car. The seller handed you the keys, vehicle licence, and proof of ownership in their name. Can you start driving immediately? Not yet—not if you want to avoid future complications. Although you may be able to drive the vehicle if it has valid registration and insurance, the ownership should … Read more