I Bought Two Cars From A Friend That Sells Cars Only To Find Out It Was An Accidented Car. Now I Don’t Know What To Do?

Dear Insurance Info,

I bought two cars from a friend that sells cars. We have been friends for decades. I bought a car from him about 5 years ago and it served me really well. So when I wanted to buy another car, naturally, I reached out to him. I bought two cars from him. One for my personal use and another for my hire purchase business.

Because I trusted him, I didn’t even test drive the cars. He assured me everything was okay with the car. However a few weeks later, I started noticing some things were wrong with both cars. My mechanic informed me the cars are accident cars. I had specifically told him not to get me accident cars. When I confronted him about it, he kept apologizing, saying he didn’t know. Needless to say, this has put a strain on our friendship and I don’t know what to do about it. I am dumbfounded, please advise me on what to do.

best regards,

Tomiwa

Dear Tomiwa,

An Accidented car is one that was previously in an accident, typically in the US, and was written off the by insurance company as a salvage vehicle.

This means that the Insurance has deemed the car too expensive to fix so they pay the insured the cost of the vehicle and take the damaged car. The insurance company then turns around and sells the car in a salvage auction at a price relatively cheap.

The buyer then fixes the car and turns around and sells the car. In the US, the registration of the vehicle will forever have a “salvage title” written on it. This is because it is illegal to sell such car without informing the buyer.

However, in Nigeria, we don’t have such requirements and that is why your friend can sell the car to you without informing you that it is a salvaged vehicle. Not all salvaged vehicles are bad though, in fact you can find some gems in accidental vehicle. But there are steps you need to follow to protect your investment.

Recommended: Insurance does not cover mechanical problems

So it is not all bad news as you may be lucky and find a gem rather than a car that will continue to give you problems. But I am shocked you bought two cars without doing your due diligence. My mantra is “trust but verify”. You can check if a car is accidental or not before purchase at Vin Check, the website is free.

I am not sure why your friend would betray such relationship especially one that has lasted that long. It is possible he didn’t know, or he did know but took advantage of your friendship. This should serve as a lesson for you going forward.

Other than a lawsuit, which I wouldn’t recommend in Nigeria, you may talk to him to agree to fix any electrical issues that the car may have. I hope the relationship survives this. I wish you the best of luck.

Best Wishes,

Insurance Info

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