Terms of Service

Plain terms for
real transactions.

We wrote these to be readable, not to protect us from you. If something's unclear or feels unfair, email us and we'll talk about it.

Effective: May 2026 · Platform version: Beta

SECTIONS

Using the platform means you agreeWhat AutoValue Nigeria isYour accountListing rulesPricing, commissions, and feesOffers and hagglesEscrow transactions (Phase 2)What we won't tolerateOur liabilityChanges to these termsGoverning lawQuestions about these terms?

Using the platform means you agree

By creating an account, publishing a listing, or making any offer on AutoValue Nigeria, you agree to these terms. If you don't agree, please don't use the platform. These terms apply to all users — buyers, sellers, and browsers.

What AutoValue Nigeria is

AutoValue Nigeria is a car pricing, valuation, and marketplace platform for the Nigerian used car market. We provide price data, AI-powered valuation tools, listing infrastructure, and (in Phase 2) escrow-backed transaction services. We are not a car dealer, broker, or agent. We facilitate connections between buyers and sellers — the transaction is between the two parties, with our platform providing the trust layer.

Your account

One account per person — You may not create multiple accounts to circumvent restrictions, game pricing, or impersonate others.
Accurate information — Your account details — name, phone number, email — must be accurate. Fake identities or impersonation will result in immediate account suspension.
Secure your account — You're responsible for keeping your login secure. If you suspect unauthorised access, contact us immediately.
You must be 18+ — The platform is for adults only. Car transactions in Nigeria require legal capacity to contract.

Listing rules

Be honest about your car — Condition, mileage, fault history — these must be accurate to the best of your knowledge. Deliberately misleading listings will be removed and your account flagged.
Your photos, your car — Only upload photos of the car you are actually selling. Using someone else's photos is fraud.
One listing per car — Don't list the same car multiple times. Update or edit an existing listing if details change.
Responding to buyers — If you list a car, you're expected to respond to genuine enquiries in reasonable time. Listing and ghosting wastes buyers' time and harms the platform.
Remove sold cars — Take down your listing promptly when the car is sold. We will automatically flag listings that have been live for an unusually long time without activity.
No prohibited vehicles — Stolen vehicles, salvage-titled cars listed as clean, or vehicles with undisclosed major accidents are strictly prohibited. This will result in permanent account removal.

Pricing, commissions, and fees

Valuation is free — Running a valuation costs you nothing. Browse prices, check market rates — all free, no account required.
Listing is free — Publishing a listing on AutoValue Nigeria is free. You only pay when your car sells.
Platform commission — When your car sells through the platform, we take 3% of the final sale price, capped at a maximum of ₦500,000. This is deducted from the sale proceeds — not charged upfront.
AI ad copy fee — If you choose to use our AI-generated listing copy, a ₦5,000 fee applies. This is deducted from proceeds when your car sells — not charged upfront.
Escrow fees (Phase 2) — Escrow-protected transactions carry a fee of 2–5% of the transaction value, shown clearly before the buyer confirms. All fees are displayed transparently before any commitment.
Asking price limits — Your asking price must fall within the range shown by your valuation. You can't price above the high estimate or below the low estimate. This protects buyers from inflated listings and ensures our commission structure works fairly.

Offers and haggles

When a buyer makes an offer or haggle, it is a genuine expression of intent — not a game. Buyers may not submit the same offer twice after a decline, and must increase their offer each time they retry. Sellers may accept, decline, or counter. Neither party may use the offer system to harass or waste the other's time. Repeated frivolous offers may result in restrictions on your account.

Escrow transactions (Phase 2)

When escrow launches, funds paid by a buyer are held by AutoValue Nigeria until delivery is verified. Once you pay into escrow as a buyer, the funds are committed — you cannot simply recall them without raising a formal dispute. As a seller, funds are released to you only after confirmed delivery (buyer confirmation or verified Proof of Delivery package). Attempting to manipulate the escrow or delivery confirmation process is fraud and will result in account suspension and potential legal action.

What we won't tolerate

Fraud — Fake listings, false mileage claims, impersonation, payment fraud — any of these will result in permanent removal and may be reported to Nigerian law enforcement.
Harassment — Abuse, threats, or intimidation of other users — through the platform or otherwise — will result in immediate account suspension.
Price manipulation — Using fake accounts to inflate a listing's perceived value, or artificially driving down a competitor's price, is prohibited.
Bypassing the platform — During an active escrow transaction, taking the deal off-platform voids all buyer and seller protections. We strongly advise against it.
Scraping or automated access — Using bots, scrapers, or automated tools to access the platform without permission is prohibited.

Our liability

For escrow-protected transactions, the platform holds funds until the buyer inspects the car and confirms receipt — this is the core protection we provide, and it covers the vast majority of transaction risk for both parties.

Our liability is limited in areas outside that protection:

• Off-platform deals — if a buyer and seller agree to bypass escrow and transact in cash or through another channel, AutoValue Nigeria has no involvement and no responsibility for what happens.

• Buyer confirmation without inspection — if a buyer confirms receipt without properly inspecting the car, that decision is theirs. We strongly advise buyers to inspect thoroughly before confirming.

• Price estimates — valuations are data-driven estimates based on Nigerian market conditions. They are not a guaranteed sale price or a promise of resale value for any specific car.

• Third-party failures — delivery agents and logistics providers are independent parties. While we vet and monitor them, we are not liable for damage, delay, or misconduct by a third-party agent beyond what our dispute process can recover.

• Fraudulent users — we take verification seriously and act on reports quickly, but we cannot guarantee that every user on the platform is acting in good faith. If you encounter suspicious behaviour, report it immediately.

To the maximum extent permitted by Nigerian law, AutoValue Nigeria is not liable for losses that fall outside the escrow protection layer described above. We built the escrow system specifically to eliminate the most common risks — use it.

Changes to these terms

We may update these terms as the platform evolves — especially when escrow and payment features launch. We'll notify users by email before material changes take effect. Continued use of the platform after that notice means you accept the updated terms.

Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Any disputes arising from use of the platform that cannot be resolved directly are subject to the jurisdiction of Nigerian courts.

Questions about these terms?

Use the contact form at autovaluenigeria.com/contact. We're a real team and we'll respond.