For people living in Africa, owning a car of their own matters regardless of the reasons.
However, unlike buying a new car, the used car market is a hotbed of deception due to the incomplete import and export policies as well as the imperfect legal regulations. Many sellers make use of indistinct information and dishonest methods to sell low-quality used cars.
Therefore, for used car buyers, especially those who are unfamiliar with cars, this list can help you understand how to know the quality of used cars, the reliability of dealers, and what you need to pay attention to throughout the entire car buying process. Hope it will be useful to you! Please continue reading below!
The Needs of Buying Used Cars
For most people living in countries across Africa like Zambia, Tanzania, and South Africa, having their own car greatly eases their travel for short trips, visiting relatives and friends, commuting to work, and long-distance travel.
However, buying a new car can impose a huge financial burden on many people under high inflation and development decline. In such cases, purchasing a used car can be a good choice! In the second-hand car market, no matter economical and practical sedans or practical and durable SUVs, pickups, off-road cars, or even more powerful and luxurious sedans like BMWs and Mercedes-Benz, they are all available.
The Pros and Cons of Choosing Used Cars
Of course, merely being 'affordable price' may not persuade people to buy a used car. In fact, for various reasons, used cars have many more problems than brand new cars. Let's have a look at the pros and cons separately:
Cons
- Varying Quality - Due to the lack of legal regulation, some sellers may conceal information about the condition, service records, transaction records, and purchase records of the car. As a result, many used cars sold do not meet the quality for normal use. It leads to many buyers having to spend a lot of money to repair the car, which can be fatal for those unfamiliar with cars.
- Limited Choices - No matter how much you like a certain model with a certain color, however, in the used car market, you can only buy those second-hand cars that someone intends to sell.
- Unreliable Guarantees - Most cars have lost the manufacturer's warranty in a few years. So it's very likely to get a car with serious safety hazards and no insurance protection, and it goes without saying that if you buy a pre-owned car from individuals.
- Additional Costs - Compared to buying a new car, buying a used one may incur additional fees. For example, in Zambia, if you want to buy an imported used car, you may incur import taxes—which can be more than half the value of the car.
Pros
- Lower Price - Nearly all new cars depreciate rapidly within a few years, but you've already bought a used car at a low price! Additionally, even if you need a loan to purchase a used car, you don't have to bear a heavy financial burden.
- Lower Insurance Fees - The monthly car insurance fees for used cars are lower than those for new cars.
In conclusion, buying a used car has its advantages and disadvantages. If you're sure that you really need a used car, then the checklist below is prepared for you.
Complete Checklist for Buying a Used Car
1. Consider Your Needs and Determine Your Budget
First, confirm what your needs are, for example:
- If you commute to work on asphalt roads in the city, and transport family members, then a compact sedan may suffice.
- If you frequently visit friends living in the country and have to pass through rough, uneven roads, then an SUV or MPV might be suitable for you.
- If you often take short trips and need to drive through off-road mountainous terrain, then you may need an SUV or MPV with good off-road performance.
- If your job requires transporting goods to other places, then a pickup might be your best choice.
These needs determine the brand, model, and budget range you need. You can seek advice from experienced friends or consult our customer service. Knowing your budget and needs, we will provide you with the best models from our inventory. We offer high quality used cars in Egypt, Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, South Africa, Benin and other countries in Africa. If we don't have a car that you want, feel free to let us know on Used-cars China!
2. Look for Certified Used Cars
Although certified used cars come with higher prices, they can help you avoid many troubles and additional expenses. Certified used cars are thoroughly inspected by experienced mechanics before being certified. They provide you with a free car history report and come with long-term insurance, yet they are still much cheaper than new cars.
3. Research the Market Price of Used Cars
You need to know the reasonable price range of the model you want to buy in the market so that you can distinguish the cars with prices that are too high or too low—these could be traps set by sellers. Additionally, during negotiations, you can strive for a more reasonable price and achieve a win-win situation.
4. Buy from Dealers You Can Meet in Person
During the communication with the dealer, you can inquire about the car's information and test drive to know about the car's condition. If the dealer does not allow this, leave immediately! During the meeting, here are some things you need to do:
- Ask about the mileage, use years, and whether other functions work well such as chassis, airbags, headlights, wipers, engine, gearbox, suspension, battery, windows, seats, steering function, pedals, brake pads, tires, etc.
- Meet during the daytime to avoid unclear views during inspection.
- Request the car's maintenance service records and transaction records from the dealer, which you can later check on the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) website.
- Try to drive over some bumps to test the mechanical condition.
- Inquire about the loan situation; otherwise, these loans will be transferred to you.
5. Hiring a Reliable Mechanic
If you are a car expert, do not hesitate to hire a reliable mechanic to inspect the car for you. Do not rely on the seller's mechanic inspection as they may deceive you.
6. Prepare a Lot of Documents and Handle Processes
If you are satisfied with this car, it is time to prepare a lot of documents with your seller unless you find someone else to help you. You need to handle:
- Road Use Certificate - For this, you need vehicle registration proof, identification documents, and application forms.
- Check the vehicle identification number and engine number - Ask the seller for this information and inquire at the police station to ensure you did not buy an illegally stolen vehicle.
- Sales Agreement - The agreement requires personal information from both parties, detailed information about the vehicle, sale time, date, place, and amount. This is the document needed to transfer ownership.
- Registration - Now you can register the vehicle in your name. You will need your identification documents, the seller's vehicle registration certificate, roadworthy certificate, purchase/sale agreement certificate, valid vehicle photograph, and relevant application forms.
7. Payment
After everything is handled, then pay the seller. This way, your interests can be maximally guaranteed.
Conclusion
It can be seen that buying a satisfied used car is not easy, and you need to do a lot of work during this process. Most importantly, you need to find qualified dealers and reliable mechanics to ensure the safety of the entire purchasing process. Please save this checklist, as it can help you smoothly complete the entire purchasing process.
Used-car China is a professional and reliable used car supplier. We offer high quality used cars in Egypt, Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, South Africa, Benin and other countries in Africa. If you need to purchase or learn more about used cars, please feel free to contact us!