Buy and sell with confidence

Nzirusi Motors is built to take the noise, the brokers and the scams out of buying a used car in Uganda. Here is exactly what we do, and what you should do, to stay safe.

How we vet every listing

• Human moderation

  Every listing is reviewed by a Nzirusi admin before it goes live. Spam, duplicates and obviously fake postings never reach buyers.

• Photo scanning

  Photos are scanned for malware and for phone numbers/watermarks hidden in the image. Photos that try to leak contact info around our system are auto-rejected.

• Phone numbers stay private

  Seller numbers are never shown publicly. Buyers chat in-app first or pay a small fee to unlock the number - which keeps brokers from harvesting contacts.

• Chat is auto-sanitised

  If anyone tries to share a phone number, WhatsApp link or contact in the chat, it is automatically hidden and the message is flagged.

• Verified seller badge

  Long-running sellers can complete ID verification and earn a verified badge that buyers see on the listing.

• Ratings & reports

  Every buyer who unlocks a number can rate the seller. Patterns of bad behaviour show up fast and we remove repeat offenders.

Why we charge UGX 10,000 to unlock a number

For buyers

1. 1
   Chat first, call second

   Use in-app chat to ask the basics (mileage, registration, accident history, why selling). Only pay to unlock the number once you are serious enough to view the car.

2. 2
   Meet in daylight, in a public place

   First viewing should be at the seller's home, garage or a busy public spot - never a back road, never at night, never alone if you can avoid it.

3. 3
   Inspect with a mechanic you trust

   Take an independent mechanic to the viewing. Pay for a pre-purchase inspection - it is the cheapest insurance you will ever buy.

4. 4
   Verify the logbook and chassis

   Match the chassis/VIN number on the car to the logbook. Run a URA/UNRA search to confirm the registered owner matches the person selling. Never buy a car whose logbook is "still being processed".

5. 5
   Pay only at transfer, never in advance

   Do not send deposits to "reserve" a car you have not seen. Pay the balance at the URA/UNRA office during the transfer of ownership, or via your bank with the seller present.

6. 6
   If it feels off, walk away

   High-pressure tactics ("another buyer is coming, send a deposit now"), prices well below market, refusal to meet in person, refusal to show the logbook - all classic scam signals.

For sellers

1. 1
   Never share your number in chat

   Our system blocks it for a reason. Buyers who refuse to pay UGX 10,000 to unlock are almost always brokers or scammers - not real buyers.

2. 2
   Show the car at your home or a busy place

   Do not drive to a buyer's chosen remote location. Real buyers are happy to come to you.

3. 3
   Don't hand over keys without the money

   No test drives alone with the buyer. Either ride along or insist on a deposit and a copy of their national ID first.

4. 4
   Confirm the money has cleared

   Cash: count it. Mobile Money: wait for the SMS confirmation on your phone, not the buyer's. Bank transfer: see the funds in your account before signing transfer forms.

5. 5
   Sign transfer at URA/UNRA, not in a car park

   Same-day transfer of ownership protects you from being chased for traffic fines, accidents or crimes committed in your car after the sale.

6. 6
   Report bad behaviour

   If a buyer harasses you, threatens you, or tries to bypass payment, contact us at imports@nzirusimotors.com. We will block their account and warn other sellers.