A careful look before you pay can save you hundreds of thousands of shillings. Go in daylight, take a friend and don't feel rushed.
Documents
- Logbook — the name, chassis number and engine number must match the car. Ask whether the logbook is held by a bank.
- Service history — receipts or a stamped book show how the car was looked after.
- Ownership search — run an NTSA search on the registration number to confirm the owner and check for any caveats.
Outside
- Panel gaps and paint — uneven gaps or slightly different colours can mean accident repairs.
- Rust — check under the doors, the boot floor and around the wheel arches.
- Tyres — uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
- Glass and lights — chips in the windscreen and cracked lenses add up.
Under the bonnet
- Oil — it should be brown or amber, not black and gritty, and never milky (a sign of head gasket trouble).
- Coolant — at the right level, clean and not oily.
- Belts and hoses — no cracks or bulges.
- Leaks — look at the ground where the car was parked.
Test drive
- Cold start — ask the seller not to warm the car up first. Listen for knocks and look for smoke.
- Gearbox — smooth changes with no slipping or jerks (especially CVTs).
- Brakes and steering — the car should stop straight, without pulling or vibration.
- Warning lights — all should come on at start-up and then go off.
Get a professional opinion
If anything worries you — or the car is expensive — book an independent pre-purchase inspection. Inspectors check the chassis, run a computer diagnosis and give you a written report you can use to negotiate.