Buying a used car in kenya complete guide | what to look for

Used cars are available in plenty in Kenya, so you want to get a car and you have decided to buy from the locally used cars market. What are the steps to follow? Are there things that one should know? What should one look for? We are going to cover the whole process of buying a used car in Kenya here to help you answer all of the above questions.

When it comes to used cars in Kenya, there is no limit to the Year Of Manufacturer you can find in the market. The most popular ones range between the year 2005 to 2013, this will also depend on the car make and brand. It is good to note that more recent models will have more features and improvements than older models. In most cases too, recent models will be in better conditions if well maintained.

The step by step guide of buying  a car secondhand car in Kenya

Here are the steps to follow when getting that car from a local owner. The steps include guides on what to check for and what to avoid during the buying process. After you have done research on the car make you want and have settled in a particular one, it is time to start the buying process.

1. Decide where to get the car from

The first thing you will have to pick is where you are going to buy the car from. There are actually two places when you can buy locally used cars and they are:

• From a dealer- there are those dealers that will offer marketing services for car owners that are selling. Also, some will buy and resell the cars. For reputation purposes, most dealers will ensure they sell cars in good condition, the downside is that it will be a bit expensive as compared to getting from the owner.
• From the owner- you can also buy directly from the owner. If you are good at negotiating, you can land a good deal. You should however do due diligence as we will see in the steps below.

Now that you have decided where to buy your car from, move to the next step of getting the seller. You can meet the seller online then go ahead and transact physically. If it is the dealer option, visit their yards/offices and pick the best.

Also see, the best places to buy a car in Kenya.

2. Car inspection

The next step is going for a car inspection since you have already decided who to buy from. During the inspection, there are two things that you should do which are:

• Inspect the condition of the car- if you are not conversant with engines, it is advisable to use a trustworthy mechanic to do the inspection on your behalf. However, not only should you be concerned about the engine, but also, check the general condition of the vehicle including the exterior and interior.
• Go for a driving test- this is important too, when driving the car, you will get to interact with it. This gives you a chance to know what is working and what is not. Everything should be in good condition, from wheels, brakes, steering wheel, mirrors and the lights. Additionally, the car should start smoothly,  vibrations should be minimum and no engine noise.

Note: Meet the seller in a public open space where you feel secure.

3. Check the documentation

Documentation is one important thing that you should not assume when buying a car in Kenya. If the seller can not produce all the documents needed, please do not transact with them. You do not want to end up with a stolen car or being conned.

Here are important documents that the seller should have and what to look for in them:

• Logbook- this is very important, the seller should be able to produce the logbook. The details on the logbook should march the car and the owner’s identity. That is, the chassis number and engine number indicated on the logbook should be similar to what is on the car, also, the owner’s name, ID number and KRA pin should march that of the seller.
• Personal identification documents- for you to be able to verify ownership, you will need the personal identification documents of the seller, this is the ID(Identification Card) and the KRA pin

4. Do a car search on the NTSA portal

The next thing now will be to make sure that this vehicle is registered to the owner who is selling it to you(documents can be forged). Here are the steps to follow while doing a car search:

• Go to eCitizen and create an account or login if you have one
• Select National Transport Safety Authority (NTSA)
• Click on Get Service Now
• Choose Make an Application
• Next, select Vehicle registration
• Choose Search for a motor vehicle (copy of files)
• Click Apply Now
• Now, enter the vehicle registration number/number plate without spaces
• Make the required payment and download the vehicle information

You will get all details of the vehicle including the engine number, chassis number, owner names, year of manufacture, make, model, caveat and body type. It goes without saying, these details should match what is in the logbook.

5. Write an agreement

Now that you have made sure everything is okay, you will need to write an agreement. Here, you can involve a lawyer or have at least two witnesses to sign the agreement. The agreement should clearly state that the vehicle will be transferred immediately after the payment is done. It should also include the following:

• The seller’s details and yours(ID and KRA pin)
• Car make and model
• The vehicle registration number
• The date and signature of the seller, you and the witnesses/lawyer

6. Make the payment

It’s time to now make the payment. This should only be done through a bank and never in cash. Remember the agreement stated that the ownership will be transferred immediately after payment. The only way the payment can be tracked is if you make it through a bank, so please, do use a bank.

7. Transfer ownership(logbook)

Since the payment have been made, the next step will be to transfer the ownership. This is on the NTSA portal, together with the seller, you should do this in a cybercafe/online. Please note the following:

• The seller will have to initiate the transfer process on their NTSA tims account
• You will have to accept the transfer through your NTSA tims account
• There is a transfer fee that you should pay.

After you are done with the transfer, your logbook will be ready after two weeks or less. You should receive instructions on how to get it.

There you have it, that is the process of buying a locally used car in Kenya. Cheers!!