Import a Car from the UK to Kenya: Documents, Checks and Costs

When you import a car from the UK to Kenya, right-hand drive may be more common, but it does not prove that a particular car is eligible or in good condition. Check the VIN, first-registration date, history and export paperwork before paying.

KRA says standard used imports must be right-hand drive, less than eight years old from the year of first registration, and roadworthiness-inspected through a KEBS-appointed agent in the country of export. The current KEBS contractor list includes the UK, but confirm the certificate and document route for the exact vehicle before shipment.

What UK records should the seller provide?

• The original V5C log book or the official registration record, plus proof that the seller can export the car.
• A clear photo of the VIN/chassis number on the vehicle and matching documents.
• MOT history and service invoices; compare recorded mileage, test advisories and repairs with the seller’s description.
• Export or deregistration evidence and, if the car was previously imported into the UK, its earlier market and ownership records.

Use the official GOV.UK MOT history checker to review available test results and recorded mileage. Repeated advisories can point to repairs that need a closer look. An MOT is useful history, but it does not replace an independent inspection or Kenyan import requirements.

Compare each recorded mileage and advisory against service invoices. Repeated corrosion, suspension, steering or brake notes deserve attention; a past pass does not show the car’s present condition. Ask an independent mechanic to check the specific issues and verify that the engine, trim and equipment match the sale listing.

For a permanent export, ask the seller to follow the current DVLA export instructions and provide the papers needed for registration in Kenya. Check that the registration number and VIN on the export record match the vehicle. If a record is missing or the car has a non-UK history, resolve that before sending a deposit.

How do you confirm Kenya eligibility and the full cost?

Have a licensed clearing agent confirm the car’s RHD layout, first-registration year, current age cutoff, inspection certificate and supporting documents. Review current KRA motor-vehicle guidance and the KEBS inspection-country list. Ask the appointed inspector which certificate will be issued and what must be completed before shipment.

Request a dated, itemized estimate using the VIN, exact trim and engine, first-registration date, invoice, freight and insurance. Keep valuation and taxes, inspection, port, clearing and registration separate from the purchase price. There is no single UK-to-Kenya shipping or tax figure that fits every vehicle and route.

Ask whether the UK asking price includes dealer or export fees and whether inland delivery to port is a separate charge. Get a current shipping schedule for the chosen port and sailing rather than relying on a generic transit estimate. Compare the landed price with local stock of the same generation and specification.

Compare the UK car with local options

Compare it with vehicles already listed in the SilverTorque inventory. If you have a UK candidate, contact SilverTorque or WhatsApp the team with the VIN and available records before paying.

If the car first entered UK records after an earlier import, request its previous-market history too. MOT results only reflect recorded tests; they do not fill gaps from before the vehicle was registered in the UK.

Frequently asked questions

Does an MOT certificate prove a car is ready to import?

No. Use it as a history record. Verify RHD, age, condition, Kenyan inspection requirements, export paperwork and the VIN separately.

Does a UK registration guarantee right-hand drive?

No. A UK-registered vehicle may have been imported from another market or modified. Check the actual steering position and the car’s full history.