“When is the best time to buy a car in Kenya?”

That’s a very loaded question. It feels like a game of musical chairs, only that the music never stops and the chairs come in different shapes and sizes. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the question. Valentine’s Day deals may work for you, but not for the bachelor next door. The end of the month may work for salaried buyers, but not so much for business people. 

This, however, doesn’t mean that there aren’t certain times or periods of the year when you can find your peach in Nairobi. 

So, when is the best time to buy a car in Kenya? The best answer is when you need one. 

But if you prefer a more strategic approach (which will help you find a good deal), here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Time of the Year

The end of the year is typically a good time to buy a car. Dealerships are usually trying to meet their sales goals and offer a lot of discounts. They’re also likely to be in a festive mood and you can get a lot of giveaways such as fuel vouchers, free servicing, and other goodies that will help in saving money.

You can also get a good deal from private sellers looking to offload their vehicles before the new year. During this period, they’re either looking for fees for the forthcoming school year or selling to upgrade with the bonus payouts. 

The other months of the year when you can get a good deal are January, February, April, and August when things are slow for dealerships.

2. Day of the Week

You can buy a car any time of the year, any day of the week including Sundays (ding ding Jamhuri Car Bazaar). But if crowds trigger your social anxiety, then weekends may not be the best time for you to shop for a car. Weekends are generally the busiest time at car dealerships. It’s ideal for you to find time within the week when everyone else is at work making money for the car they’ll buy over the weekend. 

3. Corporate Seasons

Few people know this, but you can get great deals during the tax season when companies and organizations are closing their financial year. During this period, they usually sell off their vehicles to offset tax liabilities or pave the way for new ones. You might just find the car of your dreams at a reasonable price. 

But you should stay away from this if auctions are not your thing. You should also do due diligence to find out if the selling organization paid duty for the car. Most usually indicate whether the duty has been paid or not.

4. Model Changeover Madness

Just like fashion trends, car models change from season to season. While fashionistas want to keep up with “earth aesthetics” dressing, “new shape” enthusiasts want to know when the latest model of the Vitz will be available in Kenya.  

If you didn’t easily fall for FOMO to watch Wakanda, Game of Thrones, Prison Break, Suits, and Breaking Bad, this is usually your moment to shine! This is the time to scoop up an older model at a fair price. 

Other things you should consider include:

• Changes in fuel prices
• Changes in the exchange rates
• End months when dealerships are trying to clear the lots
• Mid-month when few people are buying and therefore you have more variety to choose from

Find Your Peach When You’re Ready

In conclusion, the best time to buy a car in Kenya depends on your needs and preferences. Whether you choose to buy at the end of the year or in April, or on Saturday when you’re free or midweek, remember to check out Peach Cars for the best deals on locally used cars in Nairobi. We’re ready to help you find the perfect car that suits your needs.

Remember to read our car-buying guides for the best ways to buy a locally used car in Kenya and how to protect yourself from scammers and fraudsters.

Happy car hunting!