German Classics in Ghana: Accra Car Graveyard

Discover the hidden world of the Accra car graveyard. Old imported cars like Mercedes from Europe are transformed into a source of income and hope.
See how these forgotten machines are given new life.
► Liked the video? Let us know by giving us a thumbs up!
► Want to see more? Make sure to subscribe
► Check our website: dw.com/REV
REV - The Global Auto and Mobility Show from Deutsche Welle
#Ghana #Scrapyard

[@kongkansaikia4599]

Restoring old cars rather than buying one is also environmentally more beneficial. But noone is talking about it cause it doesn't increase sales.

[@InteloPL]

People are talking. But they are either silenced or called conspiracy theorists.

[@sneaky_krait7271]

@@InteloPL never been called a conspiracy theorist or silenced when I told people that

[@InteloPL]

@@sneaky_krait7271 I have. Even a "flatearther" xD

[@majsonpawel]

It’s more economical an better for earth like buy new electric car.

[@OM617a]

@@majsonpawel Not if you are one of the children forced to dig for battery components in huge mines.

[@bkb2508]

You know you married your soul mate when she you both have the same passion for something that isn't ordinary and common.

[@becconvideo]

Nice couple, nice African middle class.

[@louiearmstrong]

when your wife gets excited about used rims

[@Scoliosisguide]

😂What, people? In your dream worlds. In Accra, almost no one chooses a job voluntarily. She can't get another job, because there are no jobs. And he can't get another job either.

[@Scoliosisguide]

@@becconvideo Agbogbloshi was the most toxic place on earth 😷 ☠️how can this be a stable middle class? Furthermore, It was closed by the government a year ago.

[@Toyotacorollaaltis-cn9fd]

@@Scoliosisguide Nah you are high on drugs

[@happyatheists9361]

Do u know why any toyotas not here?because they are still on the road😅

[@stanleymakafui]

This hit so hard. What a beautiful irony

[@stanleymakafui]

As a Ghanaian in the city of Accra and who always get my replacement parts from Abossey Okai, I can attest to this.

[@patrickamponsah679]

Did you read the headline well? The documentary is solely based on classic German cars and not classic Japanese cars so has nothing to do with Toyota or the point you are making. Learn to read before making useless comments.

[@PussyCat101]

Hate so much people who can't read. Is Toyota a German car?

[@happyatheists9361]

@@PussyCat101 did u watch the Full video they have a honda civic too

[@gountzas]

As a car guy these people are doing God's work restoring/preserving Automotive History. Wish all the success to you guys.

[@filda2005]

Eintopf

[@caturlifelive]

Agreed george

[@wtfyoguylol]

Love this, not only are they recycling but dude also appreciates Motorsport, those Ronal wheels are dope..

[@Coldhawaii100]

those are zender turbo wheels

[@henryrollins9177]

@@Coldhawaii100 Those are OZ rims

[@Coldhawaii100]

i had the same wheels on my golf mk2 gti

[@geraldselvey7687]

What a lovely couple. They are doing the environment a great service by recycling and restoring these vehicles

[@bobroberts2371]

It depends on how old you are talking about. A 40 year old car with poor emission controls / worn out smoking engine will be more harmful to the environment than a 10 year old car not to mention the likely worse fuel mileage. And I guess you didn't see the scrap yard , at 3:06 , where motor oil is dumped on the ground right next to a body of water.

[@geraldselvey7687]

@@bobroberts2371 horses for courses Bob. The land fill those old cars would take up along with the energy new cars take to produce is quite substantial. Couple that with the economic benefits of recycling I believe they are doing a great thing. Is there room for improvement or better practices? Absolutely but this has got to be a step forward from the throw away mentality of the West

[@bobroberts2371]

​@@geraldselvey7687 Said " The land fill those old cars would take up " Most of a car never hits a land fill, steel , aluminum , copper are all very recyclable. Said " this has got to be a step forward from the throw away mentality of the West " Driven in part by the reduced labor and manufacturing costs offered by China. Manufactured goods are far less expensive and more durable than even 30 years ago. While the cost of manufacture had gone down due to increased efficiency, the cost of labor to repair has not. I have a 19" window fan that was $19.95 ( USD ) in 1981 , adjusted for inflation, that is $ 68.27 in 2022 $ That same format of fan can be had today for 19 to 20 USD A car from the 2000's can easily go 150,000 miles where as a car from the 1970's is worn out at 75,000 miles. A car from the 2010's can go 200,000 miles and still have life. One issue with pre 1990's cars is their relatively high emission levels. Cars from the 1970's are more like 100 X more polluting than a car from the 2020's

[@geraldselvey7687]

@@bobroberts2371 Bob much of what you suggest is really valid in the US or other western countries but for where those people are the service they are providing is both sound economic and environmental practice. I once again commend them

[@Toyotacorollaaltis-cn9fd]

@@bobroberts2371 I don't know what you are on to think a car that only lasts 15 years at most would ever be more economical than a 40 year old car

[@damcyk4]

'80s, '90: golden era for cars made in Germany. They were designed by engineers. Later on they realised their cars last too long and it was only downhill for German cars after that.

[@jonasf1275]

But German cars are still the best, together with Toyota. Times change, often for the worse. But this is not limited to cars.

[@damcyk4]

@@jonasf1275 for German cars it is a past tense. Those days are long gone. Today some of them struggle to get to the end of 3 or 5 years lease. They are still widely considered as premium, but reliability is long gone. On the other hand toyota is still reliable. Actually most reliable in the world all together with lexus (many independent rankings)

[@reverze2031]

@@damcyk4 thats simply not true. German cars are still reliable.

[@damcyk4]

@@reverze2031 I'm old enough to remember german cars from '90 on the road and I know them know. Somehow they are only reliable in Germany. In Canada, USA, UK, big parts of Europe outside Germany picture is slightly different. Please take any ranking warranty or reliability ranking and German cars are not there at the top. German cars are only on top at ADAC ranking. Everywhere else where German capital is not involved: German cars are not reliable. My personal quest with German cars ended up quite a few years ago with Passats 2.0tdi. Than was disaster with dsg gearboxes and tsi engines.

[@jonasf1275]

@@damcyk4 Forget about it kiddo, u will never find 90s Mercedes again or 80s Toyota Trucks

[@meongmie1524]

Glad to know that old mercedes cars still running and loved

[@DWREV]

Unbreakable

[@JohnDoe-zr6bk]

I love those guys. I can absolutely relate to their passion keeping cars on the road. Too much effort, blood sweat and tears have gone into engineering and building those cars to let them rot.

[@haidarrahmat7225]

Literally "one man's trash is a next man's treasure" 👍🏻

[@goodvibes4351]

When I saw him identify those wheels, I knew dude is legit.

[@DWREV]

He knows

[@logoncal3001]

This makes me smile hard, i love these old cars.

[@sidewindersid4180]

They were absolutely fantastic. I don't really rate modern cars. Far too over engineered.

[@DoubleDeckerAnton]

I ❤ Ghana for keeping these old cars alive.

[@forzer45]

The W201 had automatic AC! Really rare option.

[@gokturk232]

In Europe or Germany the automatic AC was not available for W201

[@forzer45]

@@gokturk232 okay, so that's why I've never seen them here!

[@theK1ller5]

This is one of my favourite series by DW. Keep it up.

[@DWREV]

Glad you enjoy it! We plan on expanding on this. Make sure to subscribe for more

[@OM617a]

What a woman, when I bring another set of wheels home my missus goes nuts.

[@Dorifto555]

Huge respect for keeping these classic cars alive! 👏👏👏👏

[@tanvirhussain6106]

I like this man keeping these cars going! Cars of yesterday are always better than cars of today

[@Steve1766]

true

[@smallthings6590]

As the Mercedes drives away dripping coolant...lol

[@kenpe1455]

Those 190d mercedeses keep running man, indestructable

[@ricardo1e93]

So that's where the cars sent over there end up. Glad to see this, I wish just that workers had better conditions and this market was strictly regulated. To this day way too many cars are still snuggled/stolen and ended up in places like this. Once had a regular meet up attendee that got his crx ivt stolen. That car tracked back in Senegal with only it's chassi and tires left, was a big financial hit but he loved so much the car that he got it back but never heard since.

[@spannaspinna]

That’s what you pay insurance for

[@amg202benz]

It is a rare ‘96 C43…when the C43 wasn’t produced will ‘98 with an inline 6 powered 3.6 for ‘96. Great video though and glad to see the Merc’s receiving love there!

[@DWREV]

Thanks for the info!

[@autoartsassistant9103]

@@DWREV incorrect information. The c43 was released late 96 with a 4.3 liter v8 just as the gentleman in the video said.

[@Ghousempc]

1997* when they introduced the m113, and sold from 98 to 2000. Totaly different car from c36, cause it has a specific facelift chassis and CAN bus of todays generation.

[@amg202benz]

@@Ghousempc That was the exact point I was making with that joke lol my first car was a ‘96 black on black C36 which led to my ownership of 32 AMG’s and 12 190E 2.3-16’s. My apologies for forgetting the quotation marks though!

[@thefreedomguyuk]

I love that couple. Would be great meeting them at their yard. The sheer enthusiasm for that set of Ronal alloys.

[@NnaemekaAmamasi]

You guys are living my dream life.

[@HandsomeMoose]

An old Mercedes. An old Volvo. Etc etc. Love seeing them getting a second chance in Ghana.

[@epiccarguy892]

in Germany we don't apreiciate our creations we consider them old and harmful to the enviroment and we want the newest eco friendly that's sad i'm glad that some countries appreciate them

[@recycleman975]

true

[@_swiper_the_fox_]

The way she said Agbogbloshie was very funny 😂😂😂

[@traporocker]

Greta, Greenpeace, all environmental activists and all these so called "Green political parties".. Why aren't you guys supporting this? This IS one of the most environmental ways to go forward when it comes to transport. And all these classic cars are a gem too! Nice work Ghana.

[@DWREV]

Reuse is a great way to help the environment, there’s some issues (water and soil pollution, outdated engines) but it’s good to see these classics have a second life

[@recycleman975]

yeah right the production footprint of New cars pollutes more

[@kanwalDoabia]

Greta is bsy with her acting career

[@tomascirc9909]

Ghanian guys are restoring and keep driving old cars with parts from scrapyard, which might be unwittingly one of the most Eco friendly thing.

[@DWREV]

Cant denying, reuse is a good way to help the environment but theres issues with out dates engines for pollution and the toxins entering the water.

[@RoberttSmithh]

Very cheerful video showing the slums of ghana

[@HiThere-du4up]

So just dump oils and other toxic chemicals on the ground. Yeah, very inspiration indeed.

[@guycha0s380]

Finally someone with a brain

[@HiThere-du4up]

@8rick1aneha-ha 😃

[@s.e.motorsport8150]

Love what your doing hope to link up when I come to Ghana

[@4den63]

Older cars got character

[@ciaranburke3243]

I love what your doing guys 👌

[@TheGenuineDriver]

I like seeing these cars being restored especially the EG Hatch!

[@christiannelevyjolly788]

I have a lot respect to you..and for your passion....

[@garywinterbottom6073]

The 190d was virtually bombproof and ran 4 ever.

[@frfrpr]

Nice video. Thanks for restoring the vehicle. Some people (most) are unaware of true classic vehicles.

[@izzyvarlos6575]

This is awesome!!!

[@Zixzi104]

I really like these videos - I only wish that they would be longer!

[@madscienceinc.ktm525exc2]

I honestly love this

[@simon8863]

That’s amazing ❤

[@Selmarya]

Wow, that is so cool essentially getting parts from the dumo and using them to build and restore cars, that's a really cool job to do

[@Yourtruthmightnotbemine]

That’s some Frankenstein style cars

[@edumaba]

Great job!

[@DWREV]

Thanks!

[@fidelcatsro6948]

Great recycling industry! 🐱👍🏿

[@claudiuchiriac8863]

These guys have the most rarest cars that europe is crying to get

[@MyILoveMinecraft]

And rightfully so. I drive a 190 here in Germany to this day. I have driven many cars, modern and old, powerful and slow, but at the end of the day I'm always happy to get into my simple and comfortable W201. Especially looking at the current C class I ask myself where it all went so wrong.. It rides worse, looks tacky with all those light bars stolen from a gaming pc, the seats are way to hard and worst of all you can't really relax because the visibility is so bad in comparison

[@christopherlongo3459]

Really cool to see these cars restored by these people

[@DWREV]

Thanks for watching!

[@TheSchnitzelable]

Amazingly well executed wheel restoration... They are very clever, don't have to store the old lubricants since the river is so close you just dump it there right?

[@nanadrawslot]

Say it again

[@scholargnome]

The fish will just lubricate their fins with them so they can swim a little faster.

[@JonasOnAutos]

Same goes for the batteries, here in Canada I usually just throw them into the Pacific

[@spannaspinna]

@@JonasOnAutos the pacific is to alkaline anyway lol 😂

[@ugochukwuharbor5519]

Very interesting concept!

[@DWREV]

Glad you think so!

[@danpicocfp6276]

Keep good going!

[@KimB10M]

Wow! A Volvo 240 in Ghana.

[@deropelaner1176]

More of this!

[@mohamedhasni7919]

you got to love how ressorsful and people in ghana a contry of ingenieurs

[@ernestdzakobo9723]

I love this

[@densidste9137]

lovely couple you found here.

[@DWREV]

We agree!

[@JimboJamboJames]

Gold mine of classics in Africa..

[@eldodieseltuneauto8163]

i have a 190e too awesome cars

[@DanielMasmanian]

Fine chaps!!

[@massifelix]

The video is sincerely hilarious.

[@titodenino]

very cool keep it up

[@DWREV]

Thanks for watching 👌

[@FrankWhyte_62]

Africa will be top tier when it comes to restaurations and recycling for cheap and fast.

[@johnnycrepaul547]

Very hard work but its great job. Creating jobs for the young people.

[@sebastiangerweck5876]

Best Mechanics💪Europe and America "we need new"

[@gunarsagerry3502]

Volvo station wagon... 🤩😍🤩😍🤩

[@hard2600]

Well, these german cars were surely built to last

[@recycleman975]

yep

[@sandorgera5570]

Cool😎👍🍻

[@recycleman975]

legendary cars

[@LizzyFerretOfficial]

If Jay wants to offload that 2002 as is, there’s a home for it here in Scotland! 🙋🏻‍♀️

[@seank7413]

German engineering and African ingenuity is a great pairing

[@jonasheldhansen8069]

1 more episode pls

[@bossadave]

Every tool seems to be a hammer

[@DWREV]

It’s Hammer time

[@mercparts364]

Those Zender Turbo wheels are super rare

[@bomberman4046]

My father 190d is still running and done over 1.6million kms with the first engine. It still work, but the head after 30year corroded, and was cheaper get another used engine than repairing it. If you want, that car is eternal. if maintained can do 2-3 million kms. I want to see what happen when they start to get only newer trash engines with all electronics. They will probably just adapt a carburator on them and let's go. Easiest solution for africa.

[@DWREV]

We'd love to hear more motoring memories of your Dad's 1.6 million km 190D! Send us details and photographs on [e-mail]

[@nile2566]

dude seriously left that mint wood momo wheel there

[@JohnSmith-qv3ll]

Love to see them doing this to the teslas of the world

[@1marcelfilms]

Car culture seems a lot cooler there

[@khalidedros743]

That steering wheel in that opel/vaxhaul, if momo, u missed a rare steering wheel. In south Africa, it's worth around zar3000 second hand

[@perfect9602]

That c43 tho

[@thekorsh4230]

Bro is there a cycling plant in Ghana?

[@georgematubia1698]

Getting scrap metal from old cars is same in Kenya...

[@IndiSkyz]

Right next to a river. All that oil and coolant and metals going in there.

[@Jagggggg88]

Replacing a radiator hose ; another vehicle saved 😂

[@frieezi]

The couple should do a KZbin channel

[@felixfacen5906]

Very sustainable, imagine 40 years from now when all the new EVs are scrapped, will they drive in Africa? Not so sure

[@recycleman975]

not at all in 5 years the EVs will be unrepairable

[@henkhendriks5983]

And the oil flows into the sea!

[@osbornedatsomor8087]

Where can I find them in Ghana?

[@joaolisboa7775]

hope you find them

[@crown674]

Accra I guess

[@egSmith-sp9gl]

Pretty convenient to have the river behind for the used oil and coolant or whatever garbage !

[@user-te1le7ck6b]

Imagine if the government wasn’t corrupt and worked with these guys to make that industry safer and more profitable for all , gdp would go up exponentially but hey sadly it’s never gonna happen 😢

[@luigimenichetti1795]

Are there any chance of contact this couple?

[@reggieshavers630]

I would love to bring my muscle car there. But I might get in trouble.😂

[@niiadjeidsane9071]

the way the woman pronounced agbogbloshie lolx

[@petrolhead28]

I'd still be driving my e39 for years but ulez is ending that.

[@eprofessio]

Then a nice hearty casaba root for lunch.

[@kentstructures4388]

I noticed they don't use electric cutters or torches in breaking away parts.. they just chisel the scrap metal... It makes a very low operations cost

[@DWREV]

Well spotted

[@rickrandom6734]

It means also work takes lots of time and workers salary is very low.

[@Michael-lg4wz]

They probably work for $2 a day

[@andrearobustelli6997]

Radiator still leaking bro

[@detonater1348]

Those early mercs are designed to last a lifetime, i daily a W140 merc in the states and its more reliable than my Lexus.

[@RaspberryCai]

@@8rick1ane nah I'd say a W140 if well maintained can easily be as reliable as a lexus.

[@4den63]

How much is the bmw 2002

[@jephthakofi7739]

I'm an automobile mechanic how can I also help to improve the stability of your industry

[@forextoday8975]

Kofi included

[@MoroccoGamer]

06:04 something leaking hh