As the demand for new and Tokunbo cars wanes due to high cost, new data suggested that a silent transformation is taking root in how Nigerians approach car purchases.

A vehicle inspection and valuation automotive tech company, Cars45, said there was 22 per cent increase in vehicle inspection requests in Q1 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.

The trend points to a growing culture of caution among consumers, who now treat car buying as a high-stake deal. With a weakened Naira and fluctuations in import-related costs, buyers are no longer willing to rely solely on virtual checks or seller claims.

Between January and March 2025, the Nigerian currency depreciated by an additional three per cent against the dollar. Additionally, figures from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) show that used vehicle imports into Nigeria fell by 65 per cent year-on-year, further driving up prices due to constrained supply.

This has created an environment ripe for exploitation, with a rise in documented cases of sellers offloading flood-damaged or tampered vehicles at inflated prices.

A more informed buyer is emerging; traditionally, many buyers have depended on a mechanic’s glance or a test drive before closing a deal. Today, inspection requests increasingly involve diagnostic scans, flood and accident history reports, body panel reviews, and transmission and engine assessments, even for relatively lower-priced vehicles.

With used car prices rising across the board, consumers are more cautious about making costly mistakes. As online auto listings grow, so do scams. Verified inspection data from reliable platforms like Cars45 and Jiji offer some level of protection against seller misrepresentation.

A report by Researchgate.net shows that used vehicles make up about 85 per cent of all cars imported into Nigeria, a statistic corroborated by local dealerships and independent marketplaces.

Cars45 market analysts predict that verified inspections could become standard in the transaction process, especially as platforms and dealers offering transparency gain a competitive advantage.

Head of Technical Services, Cars45, Damilola Ojurongbe, said: “Every car should be treated like a potential investment. You would not buy land without a survey. Why buy a car without an inspection? There is a visible shift from urgency to diligence. People want to know what they are paying for. And in today’s market, information is the most valuable asset.”