How to Choose Between New vs. Used Cars in Kenya: Key Considerations

Marketing Peach

— 5 min read
How to Choose Between New vs. Used Cars in Kenya: Key Considerations

The decision to buy a car in Kenya often comes with a dilemma: do you go shiny and new, or do you join the sensible squad with a sleek used ride?

Each option offers a set of advantages and setbacks…and you would love to know them, wouldn’t you? And why? Because this isn't just about preferences, bana. 

It's about your wallet, your lifestyle, and whether you're ready to kiss goodbye to a significant chunk of change for a ride that will last. 

Let's break it down without the fluff.

1. The Money Talk

Money is probably the biggest factor in your decision, and rightfully so. Let's get into the real numbers and see what each option actually costs you beyond the sticker price.

New Cars Cost You More Than You Think

Here's the painful truth about buying new:

  • The moment you drive that brand-new car out of the showroom, it loses value faster than your phone battery on a bad day.
  • Most new cars in Kenya depreciate by approximately 15-20% during their first year on the road. Luxury vehicles? They're even worse offenders, losing up to 30% of their value in year one.
  • That's not all. New cars come with a higher price tag from the jump. In 2024, new car sales in Kenya dropped by 2.74%, with only 11,059 units sold. Why? High bank loan interest rates made financing these beauties incredibly expensive.

Used Cars: The Value Play

Meanwhile, the Kenya used car market size reached USD 1.28 billion in 2025 and is forecast to grow at a 3.21% CAGR to USD 1.50 billion by 2030. That's a billion with a B. Why are Kenyans flocking to used cars like it's a Black Friday sale?

Simple math. 

  • Someone else already took the depreciation hit. 
  • You're buying a car that's lost the bulk of its value already. 

Smart, right?

But here's the thing: you need to buy smart. Not every used car is a deal. Some are just expensive problems wrapped in paint and polish.

2. Knowing What You're Actually Getting

Quality concerns keep many potential buyers up at night, and for good reason. The condition of your car affects everything from safety to how much you'll spend on repairs.

The New Car Advantage

With a brand-new car, what you see is what you get. 

  • Everything works. 
  • Everything's clean. 
  • The warranty covers you if something goes wrong.

Zero mileage means zero mystery. No hidden accidents. No previous owners who treated the car like a rally stage. Pure, unadulterated peace of mind.

The Used Car Reality Check

Used cars? They come with history. Sometimes good history, sometimes…ngori.

This is where you need to be smart. You can't just rock up, kick the tyres, and call it a day. That mechanic cousin who "knows cars"? He's probably not enough.

What you need is a proper inspection. At Peach Cars, every single vehicle goes through a 600-point quality check. We're talking:

  • Engine
  • Transmission
  • Suspension
  • Electrical systems
  • The AC knobs, everything

You get a detailed inspection report before you commit. No surprises. No "discovering" major issues after you've already paid. Hakuna story mob.

3. Insurance and Running Costs: The Hidden Differences

Beyond the purchase price, running costs can make or break your budget. Insurance and maintenance aren't sexy topics, but they're the difference between affordable ownership and financial regret.

Insurance Premiums

New cars typically cost more to insure. Makes sense, right? Higher value equals higher premiums. But here's the kicker: 

  • Comprehensive insurance on a new car can eat a serious chunk of your budget.
  • Used cars? Lower value, lower premiums. 

Your insurance company isn't sweating as much, so neither is your wallet every renewal period.

Maintenance Realities

New cars come with warranties. For the first few years, most repairs are covered. Servicing is predictable. You follow the manufacturer's schedule, and you're sorted.

Used cars need more attention. 

  • Depending on age and mileage, you might need to budget for repairs sooner. 
  • Parts might be harder to find for older models. 

However, if you're buying a popular model in Kenya, parts are usually readily available and cheaper.

The trick? Buy a well-maintained used car from the start. At Peach Cars, every car is cleaned, inspected, and comes with insurance support to get you road-ready. You're not buying someone's problem child.

4. Financing: How You'll Actually Pay for This Thing

Unless you're paying cash upfront, financing will determine whether you can actually afford the car you want. The financing landscape for new versus used cars is surprisingly different.

New Car Financing

Banks love financing new cars. Lower risk, higher value, clearer resale potential. However, in Kenya's current economic climate, interest rates have been brutal.

Loan repayments on new cars can stretch your budget thin. You're financing the full, undepreciated value plus interest. Monthly payments? Chunky.

Used Car Financing

Financing a used car is trickier but totally doable. Banks are more cautious because the car's already depreciated. Interest rates might be slightly higher, but here's the win: you're financing a much smaller amount.

Need help navigating the maze?

Tutakusort.

5. The Paperwork Hassle: Who Handles What?

Paperwork might seem like a minor detail until you're drowning in it. The administrative side of car buying can be smooth sailing or a bureaucratic nightmare, depending on what you buy.

New Cars

Buying new usually means the dealer handles most paperwork. NTSA registration, number plates, logbook, everything comes sorted. You sign, pay, and drive.

Clean. Simple. No drama.

Used Cars

Ah, the NTSA logbook transfer in Kenya. This process can test your patience like nothing else.

  • You need to verify the seller actually owns the car.
  • Check for outstanding loans. Ensure there are no legal issues.
  • Then comes the transfer process itself through the NTSA TIMS portal. 

If you've never done it, wueh, it's a whole expedition.

This is where buying from the right place matters. At Peach Cars, we handle the entire ownership transfer on your behalf. Your logbook arrives chap chap, and you didn't have to spend a single day queuing or making endless phone calls.

6. Making the Choice: What Actually Matters to You?

There's no universal right answer. It depends on your priorities.

Choose New If:

  • Budget isn't a concern
  • You want the latest safety features and technology
  • Peace of mind from a warranty is worth the premium
  • You plan to keep the car long-term (8+ years)
  • You love that new car smell and status

Choose Used If:

  • Value for money matters more than prestige
  • You're comfortable with slightly older technology
  • You want to avoid massive depreciation losses
  • You're a practical buyer focused on transportation, not status
  • You're willing to do proper due diligence on the car's condition

Most Kenyans? They're choosing used. Smart money follows the crowd when the crowd is making sense.

The Peach Cars Difference: Buying Used Without the Stress

Peach Cars built an entire system around removing the drama from used car buying and selling. Every vehicle gets our 600-point inspection. Pricing is transparent—no hidden "processing fees" appearing at the last minute. We use escrow payments to protect your money until the car is officially yours.

  • Need financing? We connect you to lenders and help with applications. 
  • Paperwork giving you a headache? We’ll help you handle it!  
  • Want to know a car's history? We provide detailed reports so you actually know what you're buying.

This is how buying a used car should work. No guessing. No stress. Just transparent, professional service.

Ready to Find Your Perfect Ride?

Made up your mind that a used car is the way to go? Browse our selection of quality pre-owned cars that have been properly inspected, transparently priced, and are ready to go. Or if you're selling, let us handle the headache so you can focus on getting the best price without the endless calls and lowball offers.

Call us today at +254 709 726 900 and discover how simple car buying and selling should actually be. Bila stress, bila drama, just results.

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