If you’ve ever tried to buy a Tokunbo or fairly used car in Nigeria — especially with your parents watching — you’ve probably heard this line:
“E don bend small there. This one don jam before.”
And just like that, your dream car is suddenly an accident car.
But why is it that no matter how clean or foreign a car looks, Nigerian parents are certain it has been in a major accident?
Let’s unpack the gist.
1. The Tokunbo Trauma Generation
For many Nigerian parents, used cars = bad history. They’ve lived through a time when imported cars came with cracked dashboards, glued bumpers, and misaligned doors.
Even today, when modern bodywork can make a wrecked car look brand new, their radar for “previous wahala” is still high.
So if a door doesn’t close with a solid “kpo!”, or the paint looks slightly different under the sun?
“This car don see something.”
2. The Famous Torchlight Inspection
Nigerian dads especially have a sixth sense for spotting invisible damage. You bring home a clean foreign-used car, excited to show off your deal, and the next thing you hear is:
“Bring my touch. Let me check the engine bay.”
Then he walks around slowly, squats beside the tires like a mechanic, and shines the torch under the bumper for a full investigation. Even when there’s nothing wrong, he might still say:
“They’ve painted over something here. I can feel it.”
3. Paint = Problem
In the Nigerian car gist manual, if a car has fresh paint, it’s suspect. Why repaint unless you’re hiding something?
It doesn’t matter if you did it for aesthetics or branding. If it shines too bright?
“That’s factory paint? Hmm. This one is panel work.”
Suddenly, the only way to win is for your car to be dull, dusty, and scratched — then it’s “honest.”
4. Accident Car vs. Nigeria Road Car
Ironically, most of the “accident-free” cars we drive in Nigeria become “accident cars” after surviving one year on our roads.
From bumper-to-bumper in Apapa traffic to surprise potholes in Onitsha expressway, the same car that passed inspection now has a dented side mirror and scratched fender.
But Nigerian parents still treat foreign dents like taboo and local ones like war scars.
5. Is There Any Truth to It?
Sometimes, yes. Some dealers do repackage salvaged vehicles to look showroom-ready.
But not always. With platforms like AutoCheck, Carfax, or VIN lookup, buyers can verify car histories now.
Still, you can’t VIN-check your dad’s doubt.
Final Gist
If you’re buying a used car, prepare for the family drama. Be ready to explain every line on the paint, every sound from the dashboard, and why “accident car” doesn’t mean what it used to.
And remember — no matter how clean your car is, your Nigerian parents might still say:
“It’s nice… but I still don’t trust it.”
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