Every Kenyan logbook loan starts with a professional motor vehicle valuation. The valuer establishes two numbers: market value (willing-buyer price) and forced sale value (distressed auction price, usually 70 to 80 percent of market). The lender then applies a loan-to-value ratio of 40 to 60 percent to one of those two bases to arrive at your maximum loan.
What the valuer actually checks
- Make, model, year of manufacture, registration date in Kenya.
- Odometer reading and evidence of tampering.
- Bodywork: dents, rust, panel gaps, paint match.
- Mechanical inspection: engine noise, oil condition, exhaust smoke, gearbox, suspension bounce test.
- Tyres, brakes, lights.
- Interior condition and mileage-consistent wear.
- Service records, if available.
- Cross-check of chassis number and engine number against the logbook.
Typical values as percent of purchase price
| Age at valuation | Market value as % of new price | Forced sale value as % of market |
|---|---|---|
| Under 3 years | 70 to 80 percent | 80 percent |
| 3 to 7 years | 45 to 65 percent | 75 to 80 percent |
| 7 to 12 years | 25 to 40 percent | 70 to 75 percent |
| 12 to 15 years | 15 to 25 percent | 65 to 70 percent |
A KES 1,500,000 car bought new eight years ago typically values today at KES 450,000 to KES 600,000 market. A logbook lender applying 50 percent LTV against market would then offer KES 225,000 to KES 300,000.
What the valuation costs
Typical valuation fees in 2026: KES 3,500 for a saloon, KES 5,000 to KES 7,000 for an SUV or pickup, KES 8,000 to KES 10,000 for a truck or heavy commercial vehicle. The fee is either paid upfront at the valuer's office or deducted from the loan disbursement.