Author: Iko Gari

An engine rarely overheats for no reason. Usually, something in the cooling system has stopped doing its job properly, although the warning signs can sometimes appear long before the temperature gauge reaches the danger zone. For Kenyan motorists, overheating deserves particular attention. A car can spend hours crawling through Nairobi traffic, climb long stretches of highway in hot weather, or travel on dusty and rough roads that put additional strain on components. An ageing cooling system may cope perfectly well under normal conditions until one particularly demanding journey exposes a problem that has been developing quietly. The important thing is…

If you’re shopping for a used Toyota sedan in Kenya, the Toyota Premio and Toyota Allion are two cars that can make the decision unnecessarily difficult. They look different, carry different names and are often advertised at slightly different prices, yet underneath, they are much more closely related than many buyers realise. In fact, the two were Toyota’s Japanese-market sibling sedans, sharing the same basic platform and many of the same mechanical components. Toyota positioned the Premio as the more formal, upscale-looking option, while the Allion was given a sportier appearance. Both were produced in Japan from 2001 until 2021,…

There is a particular moment every driver knows. You’re cruising along normally when a small symbol suddenly appears on the dashboard, and for a second you have to decide whether it’s something serious or simply another reminder from the car. That uncertainty is understandable because modern dashboards can display dozens of different symbols. Some simply tell you that a feature is active, while others indicate a developing fault. A few are serious enough that continuing to drive could turn a relatively manageable problem into an expensive repair. The good news is that you don’t need to memorise every symbol to…

For years, the typical Kenyan car-buying journey has started somewhere outside Kenya. A vehicle is selected from Japan, the United Kingdom or another overseas market, inspected, shipped to Mombasa and eventually finds its way onto Kenyan roads as a used import. For many households and businesses, this has simply been the normal way of buying a car. But that picture is slowly changing. Kenya’s vehicle assembly industry has been gaining momentum, with manufacturers increasing local production and the government pushing policies designed to strengthen domestic automotive manufacturing. The recent expansion of Toyota Hiace assembly at the Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers (KVM)…

Most drivers don’t think about their shock absorbers until the ride becomes noticeably uncomfortable. You may start feeling every bump in the road, notice the car bouncing after going over a speed bump, or find that the vehicle doesn’t feel as planted as it once did. Sometimes the changes are so gradual that you simply get used to them and assume the roads have become worse. In Kenya, where potholes, uneven surfaces and speed bumps are part of everyday driving, shock absorbers take a considerable amount of punishment. They are not designed to last forever, and when they begin to…

Engine oil is one of the cheapest things you will put into your car, yet it is responsible for protecting some of the most expensive components under the bonnet. It lubricates moving engine parts, helps control heat, carries contaminants away from critical surfaces and protects against wear. When the correct oil is used at the correct interval, the engine can operate smoothly for hundreds of thousands of kilometres. Use the wrong specification, leave it in for too long or repeatedly run the engine with an insufficient oil level, and the consequences can eventually become very expensive. The problem is that…

Buying your first car is exciting, but it can also be surprisingly easy to get wrong. For many Kenyans, the first car represents years of saving, a new level of independence and sometimes a major step forward in work or family life. It is understandable, therefore, that buyers can become emotionally attached to a particular vehicle before they have properly investigated it. A shiny Toyota, a low mileage figure or an attractive price can create the feeling that you’ve found the perfect deal, when in reality you may only have found a good advertisement. The biggest mistakes first-time car buyers…

Wheel alignment is one of those maintenance jobs that is easy to ignore because the problem rarely announces itself with a warning. Your engine may be running perfectly, the air conditioner works, and the car still starts every morning without hesitation. Yet underneath all that apparent normality, poorly aligned wheels can gradually wear out your tyres, affect handling and even increase fuel consumption. For Kenyan motorists, this is particularly relevant. Potholes, uneven road surfaces, badly designed speed bumps and occasional encounters with kerbs can all affect a vehicle’s wheel alignment. You may not notice anything immediately after hitting a pothole,…

If you are shopping for a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado in Kenya, you will eventually come across two letters that seem simple but can make the buying process surprisingly confusing: TX and TXL. At first glance, the difference can appear to be little more than a trim level. In reality, the equipment, interior features and sometimes drivetrain specifications can differ depending on the Prado generation, model year and market from which the vehicle was imported. That last part is important because TX and TXL are not universal Toyota specifications. Toyota has used different grades and equipment packages across different markets…

One of the most common mistakes people make when buying an SUV in Kenya is assuming that four-wheel drive is automatically the better option. It is an understandable assumption. After all, a 4WD vehicle sounds tougher, more capable and better prepared for whatever the road throws at it. Many buyers are attracted to the idea of owning a vehicle that can climb steep hills, cross muddy roads and tackle rough terrain with confidence. Yet the reality is that most of these vehicles spend almost all their lives on tarmac, carrying children to school, commuting to work or making weekend trips…

Buying a car is one thing. Selling it a few years later is another. Many buyers focus almost entirely on the purchase price, fuel economy and monthly maintenance costs, but overlook something that can have an even bigger impact on their finances, that is, resale value. It’s a lesson that many Kenyan motorists learn the hard way. Two people can spend almost the same amount importing similar vehicles from Japan. Five years later, one manages to sell their car quickly at a good price, while the other struggles to find buyers even after repeatedly lowering the asking price. So what…

There has never been a better time to buy a used SUV in Kenya. Just a few years ago, a budget of KSh 5 million would have limited you to older models with high mileage or questionable histories. Today, thanks to the steady flow of quality imports from Japan, buyers can choose from a wide range of reliable, comfortable and well-equipped SUVs without stretching beyond that budget. But choice can also create confusion. Walk into any dealership or browse online listings and you’ll find dozens of options. Some promise luxury, others focus on fuel economy, while a few simply rely…

Ask five motorists how often you should service a car, and you’ll probably get five different answers. Some insist on changing the engine oil every 5,000 kilometres. Others wait until 10,000 kilometres, while a few simply service the car when a warning light appears on the dashboard. It can be confusing, especially for first-time car owners. The truth is that there isn’t a single answer that applies to every vehicle. How often your car should be serviced depends on several factors, including the manufacturer’s recommendations, the age of the vehicle, how and where you drive, and even the quality of…

You haven’t changed your route to work. Fuel prices haven’t suddenly increased overnight. Yet somehow, you’re finding yourself at the petrol station more often than you used to. If that sounds familiar, you’re not imagining things. A noticeable increase in fuel consumption is one of the most common complaints among motorists in Kenya. It affects everything from compact hatchbacks like the Toyota Vitz and Mazda Demio to larger SUVs and pickups. In many cases, drivers assume the engine is developing a major fault. Fortunately, that isn’t always true. Fuel economy can change for many reasons, some mechanical, others surprisingly simple.…

Finding the right used car can be exciting. You’ve finally found a Toyota Axio with low mileage, a clean interior and an attractive price. The seller seems genuine, the photos look convincing, and you’ve already started imagining yourself behind the wheel. Then a thought crosses your mind. Does this person actually own the car? It’s a question many buyers ask too late. Every year, Kenyans lose millions of shillings to fraud involving stolen vehicles, forged logbooks, fake sellers and cars that have outstanding loans. In many cases, the warning signs were there from the beginning but the buyer didn’t know…

Buying a car directly from Japan has never been easier. With just a few clicks, you can browse thousands of vehicles, compare prices and have a car shipped to Mombasa from almost anywhere in Japan. But while many buyers spend hours looking at photos, mileage and prices, one document often gets ignored, the Japanese auction sheet. That can be an expensive mistake. An auction sheet tells you far more about a car than a seller’s advert ever will. It records the condition of the vehicle at the time it was inspected by an independent auction inspector, highlighting defects that photographs…

There was a time when buying a mid-size SUV in Kenya almost automatically meant choosing a Toyota Harrier. That is no longer the case. Over time, the Mazda CX-5 has quietly built a loyal following among Kenyan motorists. It doesn’t shout for attention, and it doesn’t rely on a famous badge alone. Instead, it has earned its reputation by offering something many buyers didn’t expect from a Japanese SUV, a premium driving experience without a premium price tag. Today, the CX-5 is a common sight on Kenyan roads. You’ll find it in residential estates, corporate parking lots, school drop-off lanes…

If you’re shopping for an affordable used hatchback in Kenya, two names are almost guaranteed to appear on your shortlist: the Mazda Demio and the Toyota Vitz. They’ve dominated the budget hatchback market for years, and for good reason. Both are compact enough for city driving, economical to run, and relatively affordable to buy. Whether you’re a first-time car owner, a university graduate buying your first vehicle, or a ride-hailing driver looking to cut operating costs, chances are you’ve considered one of these two cars. But choosing between them isn’t as straightforward as it used to be. The latest generations…

Few cars have changed the way Kenyans think about fuel economy quite like the Toyota Aqua. When the hybrid hatchback first began arriving from Japan, many buyers were skeptical. A battery-powered petrol car sounded expensive to maintain, mechanics were unfamiliar with the technology, and there were concerns about replacing the hybrid battery. Fast forward a few years, and the Aqua has become one of the most common cars on Kenyan roads. It’s a favourite among private owners, ride-hailing drivers and anyone looking to spend less at the fuel station. But the market has changed. There are now more hybrid options…

For decades, the Toyota Hiace has been one of the most recognizable vehicles on Kenyan roads. Whether it’s carrying passengers as a matatu, transporting tourists to national parks, delivering goods across the country, or serving as an ambulance, school van, or corporate shuttle, the Hiace has earned a reputation for reliability that few commercial vehicles can match. Now, it is entering a new chapter. Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers (KVM), in partnership with CFAO Mobility Kenya and Toyota, has officially begun assembling the Toyota Hiace locally at its Thika plant. The move is part of a broader effort to strengthen Kenya’s automotive…

For years, Toyota has watched the global electric vehicle race from a cautious distance. While rivals such as Tesla, BYD, Hyundai and Kia aggressively expanded their battery-electric line-ups, Toyota remained focused on hybrids, arguing that different markets require different paths to lower emissions. It was a strategy that attracted both praise and criticism. Supporters admired Toyota’s measured approach, while critics questioned whether the world’s largest automaker was falling behind. Now, that conversation has arrived in Kenya. CFAO Mobility Kenya has officially launched the Toyota bZ4X, making it Toyota’s first fully electric vehicle to be offered in the Kenyan market. More…

If you’ve ever shopped for an imported car in Kenya, you’ve probably come across the term CIF. Dealers mention it, auction websites display it, and import agents often use it when giving quotations. Yet many buyers nod along without really understanding what it means or why it matters. That can be an expensive mistake. Whether you’re importing a car yourself or simply comparing prices in the local market, understanding CIF helps you know what you’re actually paying for, and just as importantly, what you’re not paying for. It also makes it easier to compare vehicles from different exporters without being…

Buying a used car is often a smart financial decision. You avoid the steep depreciation that comes with a brand-new vehicle while still getting reliable transport for years to come. However, there is one mistake that can turn what looks like a great deal into an expensive lesson, buying a car with a tampered odometer. Odometer fraud, commonly known as mileage rollback, happens when a vehicle’s recorded mileage is deliberately reduced to make it appear less used than it actually is. A car showing 65,000 kilometres may, in reality, have travelled well over 180,000 kilometres. Since lower mileage usually commands…

The Toyota Axio has earned a reputation as one of Kenya’s most dependable saloon cars. It is a familiar sight everywhere, from Nairobi’s busy streets to rural towns where reliability matters more than flashy features. Many people buy it because of Toyota’s reputation, but another reason often becomes clear after a few years of ownership, it is relatively inexpensive to maintain. Still, “cheap to maintain” means different things to different people. Some buyers are thinking about routine servicing, while others worry about expensive repairs or the long-term availability of spare parts. Understanding the real cost of owning a Toyota Axio…