Your car partner

Tips & updates

Buying, selling, maintenance, safety and ownership advice from people who actually drive on Ugandan roads - plus live import news. Nzirusi is here long after the sale.

Tips you can use today

Practical advice from your Ugandan car partner

We care about you long after the keys change hands. Short, honest tips - no fluff, no upsell.

Buying tips

Always verify the chassis number on the car matches the logbook before paying a deposit.
Budget at least 10% above the landed cost for first-month insurance, fuel and minor fixes.
For a Japanese import, ask for the auction sheet - grade 4 and above usually means low accident risk.
Test-drive at highway speed before buying locally. Listen for gearbox slip and watch for warning lights after a 20-minute drive.

Selling tips

Wash, detail and photograph in daylight from 8 angles - listings with good photos sell up to 3x faster.
Set a fair price by comparing 3-5 recent listings of the same year, mileage and trim.
Have a recent service receipt and a valid logbook ready - serious buyers will ask within the first message.
Use Nzirusi's on-platform chat for safety. Never share your phone until the buyer is verified.

Maintenance tips

Change engine oil every 5,000 km on city driving - Kampala traffic is hard on engines.
Rotate tyres every 10,000 km to extend tread life and improve fuel economy.
Check coolant level monthly. Overheating is the #1 cause of preventable engine failure in Uganda.
Service the transmission every 60,000 km on automatics - especially CVTs (common on Hondas, Nissans, Toyotas).

Safety tips

Inspect brake pads every 10,000 km. Squealing is a warning, grinding is too late.
Replace wiper blades every rainy season - poor visibility causes most wet-weather accidents.
Keep a reflective triangle, first-aid kit and fire extinguisher in the boot - it's also a Police requirement.
Never overload. Check the door pillar sticker for your car's maximum load weight.

Ownership & management

Renew your logbook and insurance 2 weeks before expiry to avoid penalties.
Keep all service receipts in a folder - it adds resale value when you sell.
Park indoors or under shade when possible - UV degrades dashboards and paint over 2-3 years.
Track fuel economy monthly. A sudden drop usually signals tyre pressure, spark plugs or a clogged air filter.

When something goes wrong

WhatsApp us - even if you didn't buy the car from us. We help our community first, business second.
Save the URA Customs hotline for clearance issues: +256 800 117 000.
For accidents, photograph the scene before moving the vehicle and notify your insurer within 24 hours.
Keep a trusted mechanic's number in your phone. We can recommend one in your area on request.

Live updates

Shipping, tax & import regulation news

Curated briefings on the latest regulatory and logistics changes affecting used-vehicle imports between Uganda and Japan. Always verify with the linked source before acting.

May 2026

URA import duty explained - 2026 edition

How URA calculates duty, VAT and the environmental levy on imported vehicles, with worked examples in UGX.

Apr 2026

Japan vs UK: which market is right for you?

Pricing, mileage, drive side, parts availability - a side-by-side guide to choosing the right source country.

Mar 2026

Best SUVs you can import for under UGX 100M

Six SUVs that hit the sweet spot of price, reliability and Ugandan road suitability.