A Tokunbo car can be a smart purchase because it has not spent years on Nigerian roads, but the listed price is not the final cost of ownership. Many first-time buyers make the mistake of using all their money to pay the seller, then they become stranded when normal post-purchase expenses appear. Costs people forget: 1. Document verification 2. Registration 3. Insurance 4. Roadworthiness 5. Change of ownership 6. Immediate servicing 7. Tyres 8. AC repairs 9. Battery 10. Suspension work The first hidden cost is documentation and registration. You need to confirm customs papers, proof of ownership, vehicle registration, insurance, roadworthiness and change of ownership where applicable. If any document is missing or suspicious, do not treat it as a small issue. Bad papers can create bigger problems than a bad engine. The second cost is immediate servicing. Even if the seller says “nothing to fix,” assume you may need engine oil, oil filter, air filter, cabin filter, transmission fluid check, coolant, brake pads, plugs, alignment and balancing. You may also need tyres if the car came with old or mismatched ones. Tyres are expensive, but they are not optional. The third cost is Nigerian adaptation. Some imported cars arrive with weak batteries, poor AC performance for our heat, low ground clearance, or parts that are already aged. A good rule is simple: if your total budget is ₦10 million, do not buy a ₦10 million Tokunbo car. Buy below your limit and keep repair money. Peace of mind is part of the price.