A foreign used car has been imported and has usually not been driven in Kenya yet. A locally used car has already been registered and used here. Neither is automatically better, so judge each car on its inspection and documents.
Foreign used cars
These cars are commonly imported from Japan, the UK and the UAE. Many buyers like them because the car may have been driven on better roads and is new to the Kenyan market.
The risk is a history you cannot easily confirm from here. Ask for the pre-export inspection certificate and customs documents, and check them against the car.
Locally used cars
These cars have been registered in Kenya, so you can run a search on the NTSA portal, inspect the car today, and often speak to the owner about how it was used.
They have also dealt with Kenyan roads, so check the suspension and underbody closely. They usually cost less than a similar foreign used car.
New cars
A new car costs the most and loses value fastest, but it comes with a known history and usually a warranty. It suits buyers who plan to keep the car for years.
How to choose
- Choose new if a warranty and a clean history matter most.
- Choose foreign used if you want a newer car and can verify its documents.
- Choose locally used if you want the most car for your money and can inspect it well.
- For any used car, pay for an independent mechanic before you pay the seller.
Common questions
- Do foreign used cars last longer than locally used cars?
- Not necessarily. How long a car lasts depends on its maintenance and condition more than where it was first used.
- Can a foreign used car be registered already?
- Yes. Some are sold before Kenyan registration and others after. Ask whether the car has a Kenyan logbook, and who pays for registration if it does not.
Read next: Foreign used cars for sale · Locally used cars for sale · New cars for sale