Kenyans import cars from countries like Japan, given several factors such as the costs involved and the quality of the automobiles.
Most motorists opt to import the cars through dealers to save on costs as the dealers import in bulk.
However, given that several Kenyans lack information about cars, scrupulous dealers may lie to them regarding the car's age - when the vehicle was manufactured.
Nonetheless, there are ways to check the manufacture date, as detailed below;
Car Door Jab Sticker
All vehicles have a sticker placed on the door that details 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 out, one can look at the registration papers of the vehicles, as the details are often included in the importation documents.
However, with the challenge of wear and rear, some manufacturers have opted to make the sticker metallic.
Other methods
Newly imported vehicles also have a 17-digit number on the windscreen, popularly known as the VIN. Most vehicles have the numbers on the bottom left side.
Using a VIN decoder tool on social media, one can get the date the vehicle was manufactured. This only applies to cars whose windscreens have not been replaced.
Other people also check the engine oil. While the method does not give the exact year's date, one can know whether the car had been used over time.
Why is it important to check the date;
Checking the manufacture date helps motorists get the right spare parts for the vehicle if they need repairs. Cars may be similar, but manufacturers often change elements of the vehicle.
In most cases, people buy spare parts that do not fit.
