Car guides for Kenya
30 guides · Last updated
Direct answers to the questions Kenyans ask before importing, buying, financing or selling a car. Duty and price figures come from KRA's CRSP schedule; procedures cite KRA, KEBS, NTSA and Kenyan law.
Importing a car
How to import a car to Kenya, step by step
The full process of importing a used car from Japan to Kenya: the 8-year rule, KEBS inspection, shipping, KRA duty, clearing and NTSA registration.
How is car import duty calculated in Kenya? (worked example)
KRA's car import duty formula explained with a real worked example: CRSP, depreciation, customs value, import duty, excise, VAT, IDF and RDL.
What is the 8-year rule for importing cars to Kenya?
Kenya's 8-year rule (KS 1515) explained: which year counts, which cars qualify this year, and how shipping time can push a car out of the window.
What is KRA's CRSP (Current Retail Selling Price)?
KRA's CRSP list explained: what it is, the July 2025 schedule, how it sets the customs value of imported and locally transferred cars.
Can you import a left-hand-drive car to Kenya?
Kenya's right-hand-drive rule for imported used vehicles: what KS 1515 says, converted cars, and why most imports come from Japan and the UK.
Japanese car auction grades explained
What Japanese auction grades (S, 6, 5, 4.5, 4, 3.5, 3, R, RA) and interior letters (A–E) mean, and the damage codes on an auction sheet.
Locally used vs imported used cars in Kenya: which is better?
Pros and cons of buying a locally used car versus a fresh import in Kenya: price, history, condition, time, financing and resale.
Returning resident car import to Kenya: what are the rules?
KRA's returning-resident vehicle exemption: age limit from manufacture, shipping deadline, and how often you can use it.
What is a Japanese export certificate (de-registration certificate)?
The Japanese export certificate explained: what it shows, why KRA needs it, and how to use it to check a car's first registration date and mileage.
Buying, checking and paying
Buying a used car in Kenya: the complete checklist
A step-by-step checklist for buying a used car in Kenya: NTSA search, logbook, inspection, test drive, price check, payment and transfer.
How to transfer a car logbook on NTSA eCitizen
How to transfer ownership of a car in Kenya on the NTSA eCitizen portal: what the seller does, what the buyer does, documents, fees and timelines.
How to check a car's history in Kenya
Ways to check a used car's history in Kenya: NTSA motor vehicle search, financier and caveat checks, service records, auction sheets and Cada history.
What to check when inspecting a used car before buying
A practical pre-purchase inspection list for used cars in Kenya: body, engine, gearbox, suspension, electrics, diagnostics and documents.
How to spot a tampered odometer (mileage) on a used car
Signs a car's mileage has been rolled back, and how to check mileage on local and imported cars in Kenya.
How car financing and hire purchase work in Kenya
Bank asset finance, SACCO car loans, logbook lenders and dealer hire purchase in Kenya: deposits, tenors, documents and what to check.
How to avoid car buying scams in Kenya
Common used-car scams in Kenya (fake sellers, deposit fraud, cloned cars, fake import agents) and how to protect yourself.
Owning and selling
How to sell your car in Kenya safely and for the best price
Selling a car in Kenya: pricing it right, photos and advert, meeting buyers safely, payment, sale agreement and the NTSA transfer on eCitizen.
How much is my car worth in Kenya?
How used car values are set in Kenya: comparable cars on sale, mileage, condition, history, and how lenders and insurers value cars.
Car insurance in Kenya: comprehensive vs third party explained
Which car insurance is compulsory in Kenya, what comprehensive, third party only and third party fire and theft cover, and what to check in a policy.
Which cars are cheapest to maintain in Kenya?
Why common Toyota, Nissan, Honda and Mazda models are usually cheapest to maintain in Kenya, and how to check parts costs before you buy.
Hybrid and electric cars in Kenya: are they worth it?
Hybrid and electric cars in Kenya: how KRA taxes them, popular models, charging, battery care and who they suit.
Which car to buy
Toyota Vitz vs Toyota Passo vs Nissan Note: which should you buy in Kenya?
Vitz, Passo or Note: engines, space, running costs and KRA import cost compared for Kenyan buyers.
Best fuel-efficient cars in Kenya under 1M, 1.5M and 2M
Fuel-efficient cars Kenyans buy most (Passo, Vitz, Fit, Note, Aqua, Demio) with KRA values and import estimates under KES 1M, 1.5M and 2M.
Best family cars in Kenya
Family cars Kenyans choose most (Sienta, Freed, Fielder, Shuttle, Noah, Voxy, Serena) with KRA values and import estimates.
Best cars for Uber and Bolt in Kenya
Cars Kenyan ride-hailing drivers choose most (Axio, Fielder, Vitz, Note, Aqua, Premio, Shuttle) and what to check before buying one for Uber or Bolt.
Best SUVs under KES 3 million in Kenya
SUVs Kenyans buy most (Vezel, C-HR, X-Trail, Forester, CX-5, RAV4, Harrier) and which fit a KES 3M budget as fresh imports.
Best cars under KES 1 million in Kenya
What KES 1 million buys in Kenya: small Japanese hatchbacks as fresh imports, and older saloons and wagons locally used.
What is the best first car to buy in Kenya?
A first car in Kenya should be cheap to run, easy to fix and easy to resell: Vitz, Passo, Fit, Note, Demio and Axio compared.
How much do popular cars cost in Kenya?
Import cost estimates for Kenya's most popular cars (Vitz, Axio, Fielder, Note, Aqua, Harrier, X-Trail, Prado) from KRA's CRSP values.
Toyota Fielder vs Toyota Axio vs Honda Shuttle
Fielder, Axio or Shuttle: body, space, hybrid options and KRA import cost compared for Kenyan buyers.