Importing a vehicle into Kenya remains one of the most popular ways for individuals, businesses, ride-share operators, and fleet managers to acquire reliable, cost-effective cars—especially in a market where new-vehicle prices often exceed KSh 5–10 million for popular SUVs and saloons. In 2026, the process is tightly regulated by three core authorities: the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) for customs valuation and taxation, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) for pre-shipment conformity and age/roadworthiness compliance, and the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) for final registration and road-use approval. The landscape shifted significantly at the start of 2026. Effective January 1, 2026, KEBS enforced a stricter interpretation of the long-standing eight-year age limit under KS 1515:2000 (Code of Practice for Inspection of Road Vehicles) and Legal Notice No. 78 of 2020. Only Right-Hand Drive (RHD) vehicles whose year of first registration is January 1, 2019, or late...
I. Introduction: The Price of Due Diligence The used car market in Kenya is a vibrant economy, but it’s also a hunting ground for fraudsters. Scams, ranging from odometer fraud to outright theft, target the buyer’s urgency and desire for a "too-good-to-be-true" deal. The most devastating scam is the one that leaves you with a car you cannot legally own because it has a hidden loan ( Caveat ) . Your biggest defense against any car scam is information and the refusal to rush the transaction. This guide breaks down the 7 most common scams facing Kenyan car buyers and provides the non-negotiable verification steps you must take to protect your money. Key Rule: The KES 550 fee you pay for an NTSA Copy of Records (CoR) search is the best insurance policy you can buy. II. The 7 Biggest Car Buying Scams in Kenya 1. The Hidden Loan (The Caveat Scam) This is the most common legal pitfall. A seller, having taken a logbook loan (asset financing) against the car, attempts to se...