Should You Buy a Car Based on Resale Value in 2026? The Honest Truth

Everyone in Kenya has an opinion about cars. Your uncle swears by the 1998 Corolla because "parts zinapatikana kila mahali" (parts are everywhere). Your colleague insists that German machines are the only "real" cars. Then the salesperson smiles and drops the magic words: "This one? Strong resale value."

It sounds lovely, right? But let's look at the economics of 2026. You are the one paying for fuel, tyres, and insurance today. Does it really make sense to overpay Ksh 300,000 for a car just so you can sell it for Ksh 50,000 more than a rival model five years from now? In an economy where cash flow is king, the "resale value" myth is slowly fading. Smart buyers are focusing on Total Cost of Ownership.

Think about it: A Mazda Demio or Nissan Note that saves you Ksh 15,000 a month in fuel is putting money in your pocket right now. That immediate liquidity is far more valuable than a hypothetical gain in 2030. Buying a car is an expense, not an investment. Buy the car that fits your life now—the one that handles the school run and the Nanyuki road trips efficiently—not the car that will please the second owner in five years.