Kenyans import cars from countries like Japan, considering various factors such as costs and quality of the automobiles.
Most motorists choose to import cars through dealers to save costs, as dealers import in bulk.
However, since many Kenyans do not have information about cars, scrupulous dealers may lie to them about the age of the car, when it was manufactured.
However, there are ways to check the date of manufacture, as detailed below;
A door clamp sticker placed on the door of a car.
Ace Auto Parts
Car door sticker
All vehicles have a sticker placed on the door detailing various components of a car such as the weight and most importantly the year of manufacture.
Most vehicle manufacturers also include the month the car was manufactured.
If the sticker is worn, you can check the vehicle’s registration documents, as the details are often included in the import documents.
However, with the challenge of wear and tear, some manufacturers have opted to make the sticker metallic.
Other methods
Newly imported vehicles also have a 17-digit number on the windshield, popularly known as a VIN. Most vehicles have the numbers on the bottom left.
Using a VIN decoder tool on social media, the vehicle’s manufacturing date can be obtained. This only applies to cars whose windshields have not been replaced.
Other people also check engine oil. Although the method does not give the exact date of the year, it can tell if the car had been used over time.
Image of a motorcyclist wiping a dipstick used to check oil levels in a car.
Superior service center
Why is it important to check the date;
Checking the date of manufacture helps motorists get the right replacement parts for their vehicle if they need repairs. Cars may be similar, but manufacturers often change elements of the vehicle.
In most cases, people buy replacement parts that don’t fit.
