What Is the Best Time to Buy a Car in Kenya in 2025? — Code & Clutch
What Is the Best Time to Buy a Car in Kenya in 2025? — Complete Guide
Buying a car in Kenya in 2025 requires more than just picking your favorite model. Timing is crucial — it can save you hundreds of thousands of shillings on fresh imports, taxes, and dealer discounts. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly when to buy a car, the seasonal trends, financing timing, and exclusive Code & Clutch offers. For a detailed cost breakdown of importing a car, see our Article 1: How Much Does It Cost to Import a Car to Kenya in 2025?.
Why Timing Matters in Kenya’s Car Market
Car prices fluctuate throughout the year due to:
- Exchange rate changes — the Kenyan Shilling vs USD, JPY, or Euro affects CIF prices.
- Import duty updates — KRA often revises rates, affecting taxes and excise.
- Dealer inventory cycles — dealers offer discounts to clear stock at month-end or year-end.
- Fresh import arrivals — certain months see lower prices due to seasonal shipping trends.
Best Times to Buy a Car in Kenya in 2025
1. January — Post-Holiday Sales
After December, dealers want to clear last-year stock. This can be a great time to snag discounts on 2024/2025 models before the new arrivals increase in price.
2. End of Financial Quarters
Dealers often have monthly or quarterly targets. The last week of March, June, September, and December can provide negotiation leverage to reduce the final price, especially for popular SUVs and saloons.
3. Pre-Import Planning
Fresh imports often ship in batches around March-April and September-October. Planning purchases around these months ensures you get a wider selection and better pricing.
4. Exchange Rate Considerations
The Kenya Shilling fluctuates against foreign currencies. When the shilling is strong, the CIF value drops, reducing import duty, excise, and VAT. Keep an eye on trends and coordinate with your agent.
Seasonal Trends for Fresh Imports
- Japanese auctions: March–May and September–November are peak auction seasons; early bidding can get lower prices.
- European imports: Prices often dip after summer or year-end when dealers clear older stock.
- Shipping costs: Avoid holiday seasons when freight surcharges are higher.
Financing Timing: Banks, Saccos, and Hire Purchase
Financing plays a major role in timing:
- Banks: Loan approvals can take 1–2 weeks; plan purchases to align with your target month for discounts.
- Saccos: Some Sacco funding is limited monthly, so apply early.
- Hire Purchase: Dealership HP rates fluctuate; end-of-month offers often lower your deposit or interest rate.
Code & Clutch Exclusive Deals
We monitor auctions, import cycles, and KRA updates to provide the best time and price for each car. Using our service means:
- Pre-import valuation for accurate landed-cost estimates.
- Access to fresh imports as they arrive.
- Negotiated HP and bank financing options.
- Fast clearance & delivery — from port to Ngong Road or your preferred location.
Top 5 Mistakes People Make with Car Buying Timing
- Buying without checking the KRA CRSP or import duty updates — leads to surprises.
- Ignoring seasonal import cycles — may pay more for fresh imports later.
- Rushing purchases at peak demand months — less room for negotiation.
- Not factoring in exchange rate fluctuations — can increase CIF costs significantly.
- Skipping pre-financing — delays can make you miss promotional offers.
FAQ — Best Time to Buy Cars in Kenya 2025
Q: Can I get discounts at any time of the year?
A: While discounts exist year-round, end-of-month, end-of-quarter, and post-holiday periods offer the most leverage for negotiation.
Q: Does importing in certain months save money?
A: Yes — fresh imports often arrive cheaper during March-April and September-October when shipping and auction demand are lower.
Q: Should I wait for a specific exchange rate?
A: Monitoring the Kenya Shilling helps. Buying when the shilling is stronger reduces CIF, duties, and VAT.
Q: Does Code & Clutch provide pre-import cost estimates?
A: Absolutely — we use updated KRA CRSP templates and calculate landed-costs, so you know exactly what to pay before purchase. WhatsApp us now
Q: Can I combine seasonal discounts with HP financing?
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