The real cost of owning a car in Nigeria, aside from fuel

Owning a car in Nigeria is a flex. It’s the dream. That moment you hold your keys, press your remote, and hear your car unlock with that proud “beep-beep”? Pure bliss. 

No more waiting for danfo or fighting for keke space. Rain or shine, you have your own ride. Your personal space. Your escape from Lagos traffic wahala.

But as sweet as it sounds, anyone who’s owned a car will tell you the same truth: fuel is just the beginning. That ₦20k you budget for petrol? That's small compared to the other bills that quietly pile up behind the scenes.

And if you’re not ready, you’ll quickly go from car owner to car beggar, asking people for rides because your car has “one small issue.”

So, before you rush to buy that “clean Tokunbo” or that “tear leather Camry,” let’s break down the real cost of owning a car, fuel aside.

Maintenance and repairs

Nigerian roads can be terrible. Even in the so-called cities, potholes are everywhere. You dodge one, you enter two. These bad roads take a toll on your car faster than you’d expect.

Before you know it, your shock absorber is sounding like it wants to resign.

Mechanics in Nigeria can either be hit or miss. If you’re lucky, you’ll find a trustworthy one. If not, they’ll charge you for a gearbox problem when it’s just low transmission fluid. So maintenance doesn’t just mean engine oil and tyre pressure. It means sudden, unplanned expenses like:

• Changing your brake pads (Between ₦15,000 and ₦30,000 depending on car)

• Fixing your suspension or alignment 

• Replacing tyres (and good ones don’t come cheap)

• Engine work or AC repairs (just pray your compressor doesn’t pack up)

There’s also the routine stuff. Oil change, changing filters, topping up coolant, checking battery water. It all adds up.

Licensing, papers

Every car in Nigeria needs papers. You can’t drive from Ojuelegba to Lekki without police stopping you at least once to check if your papers are “complete.” That means:

• Vehicle license

• Insurance (even if it’s just third party)

• Roadworthiness certificate

• Emission test

• Hackney permit (for certain vehicles)

Altogether, this can cost you roughly ₦50,000 to ₦100,000 yearly, depending on your car type, state, and who’s helping you run it. That’s not even counting the unofficial costs. We’re talking about the police, who will stop you if your trafficator blinks too slowly or road checks that include “anything for the boys”.

Sometimes it feels like there’s a different fine for each checkpoint. And if you’re not alert, you’ll find yourself paying N5k here, N2k there, just to avoid being delayed or having your car impounded.

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Car wash and cleaning

You might laugh at this one, but in Nigeria, especially if you’re in Lagos, Abuja, or PH, a dirty car is a crime against your own image. Whether it’s dust from harmattan, rain splashes during the wet season, or just general grime from our rough roads, your car gets dirty fast. So you either wash it yourself every few days or you pay.

A decent car wash goes for around ₦3,000 upward, depending on the size and how fancy the place is. Let’s say you wash once a week; that’s about ₦21,000 a month just to keep your ride looking sharp.

Security and parking

Ever been to a Lagos mall or office complex where the parking fee made you rethink why you came in the first place? Car owners know the pain. And it doesn’t stop there.

There’s the informal tax of tipping area boys to watch your car, just so it doesn’t mysteriously get scratched while you’re away. Or the gate men at estates and office buildings who suddenly become more cooperative when they see a little cash. These seemingly small payments add up quickly.

And if you happen to live in a place without secure parking? That’s a whole different headache. You're constantly on edge, worried about your car being stolen, broken into, or vandalised. So you might end up spending investing in extra layers of security, like a steering lock, a car tracker (plus monthly subscription fees), or even a full-on burglar alarm system. All in the name of protecting something you already spent a fortune to own.

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Depreciation and resale value

Here’s the painful part. That car you bought for ₦5 million this year? Try selling it two years later, and you’ll be lucky to get ₦3 million back. Cars in Nigeria depreciate fast, especially if you’ve been using them regularly and haven’t kept them in pristine condition.

And because of the condition of our roads and fuel, some parts wear out quicker than usual, lowering your car’s value. So, unless you’re planning to keep it long-term, you’re technically losing money every day it’s on the road.

The emotional cost

Yes, there’s an emotional side too. Owning a car in Nigeria is like raising a child. You’re always listening for strange sounds. Is that the AC? Is something rattling? Why is my fuel finishing so fast? Why is my mechanic not picking up?

There’s the constant pressure to “upgrade” or fix small dents. If you’ve ever stood helpless at the side of the road while your car refused to start, you know that feeling of frustration and public shame that comes with car ownership here.

So, what’s the verdict?

Owning a car in Nigeria is beautiful, convenient, and sometimes necessary. But it’s not cheap. It goes far beyond just fuel. If you don’t prepare for the real costs, like maintenance, repairs, papers, washing, parking, and police, you’ll find yourself regretting the day you bought it.

So if you’re planning to buy a car soon, ask yourself: Can I afford to maintain it, not just fill the tank? That’s the real question.

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