Maridady Blog

How to Buy a Car in Kenya with 60K salary

In Kenya People often say: “With a salary below ksh 60K, forget about buying a car.” But let us tell you that it’s just a Myth. We have many customers with modest income that are already own a car. Reason is, they choose the right car and smart finance planning. If you want to know, how? in this guide you”ll learn the way to own an affordable car, how to choose, how to pay without draining your monthly salary. 
 

Are you Eligible to Own a Car?

First Step is to check if you can afford the EMIs or not. To check this, we use 15-20 rule. In this, we check that your EMI should not be greater than 15-20% of your Salary. Means, if your salary is 60k then your car loan EMI should not take more than KSh 9,000–12,000 per month. To get a car in this EMI range, either you have to choose a cheaper model or increase the tenure of your car loan.  For example, a car worth KSh 460,000–600,000 can fit into this repayment bracket when financed through a Sacco, microfinance, or dealer plan.

Second Important thing before own a car is that you should have some amount for Down Payment too. Having Even Ksh70,000- 100,000 can lower your installment amount and help you decrease your loan amount. The more you save upfront, the more comfortable your monthly budget becomes.

Best Affordable Cars for a Salary Below 60K

Let’s look at the list of vehicles you can afford with Salary Below ksh 60,000

Toyota Passo

The Passo is one of the most practical options for buyers on a low income. It’s cheap to run, extremely fuel-efficient, and spare parts are affordable. Many dealers offering Toyota Passo cars for sale in Kenya also provide financing options, making it a great starter car for anyone earning below 60K.

Toyota Vitz 

People love the Vitz because it just works—hardly ever breaks down and doesn’t cost much to keep on the road. It holds its value, too. If you’re searching for a car that won’t drain your wallet, you’ll spot loads of Toyota Vitz for sale in Kenya, no matter your budget or how you want to pay.

Suzuki Alto 

The Alto is all about saving money. It’s cheap to buy, sips fuel, and doesn’t need much fuss to keep running. Perfect for weaving through city traffic. Kenyan dealerships always seem to have plenty of Suzuki cars for sale in Kenya, so you’ll have no trouble finding an affordable one.

Nissan March 

The March is comfy, drives smooth, and won’t hit you with big service bills. It usually costs less than a similar Toyota, which is a win if you’re keeping an eye on your spending. Used Nissan March cars pop up all over the place in Kenya, and the prices often make sense for tight budgets.

Mazda Demio 

The Demio’s got some style, goes easy on fuel, and drives nice. Young professionals and first-timers seem to like it a lot. You can find plenty of  used Mazda Cars for sale at dealerships across Kenya, and if you’re earning less than 60K, the prices won’t scare you off.

Honda Fit 

The Fit gives you more space inside, stays reliable, and barely sips fuel. If you want a roomier ride without spending a fortune, this one’s a strong pick. There’s no shortage of Honda Fit cars for sale in Kenya, so tracking down one that fits your budget is pretty easy.

Financing Options That Work

When your salary is 60k or below, Choosing the right Finance option is very important, The goal is to choose one with which you can easily repay the loan and it should satisfy 15-20 rule. Here are the few finance options we will discuss here.

Sacco Loans

Saccos are one of the best options for low-income earners. They offer lower interest rates, longer repayment periods, and flexible terms. With a Sacco loan, it’s easier to keep your monthly instalment within the KSh 9,000–12,000 range, especially if you already save with that Sacco.

Microfinance Institutions

Microfinance lenders provide car loans with smaller entry requirements and faster approval. While interest may be slightly higher than Saccos, they are more flexible for buyers with limited income. When choosing microfinance, look for plans that allow you to stretch the loan over 36–48 months so you stay within the affordable repayment bracket.

Dealership Financing

Some dealerships offer in-house financing that is tailored to low-income buyers. This can include low down payments, longer repayment periods, and simple approval processes. If your salary is under 60K, dealership financing can help you drive home quickly while keeping installments in the recommended range.

Salary-Backed Loans

These loans are deducted directly from your salary, making them convenient and disciplined. For someone earning below 60K, salary-backed loans can offer predictable monthly repayments and a clear structure. Just make sure the instalment stays between KSh 9,000–12,000 so it does not strain your monthly budget.

Total Monthly Ownership Costs

After choosing the finance option, it’s time to decide if you can maintain the car expenses every month with your salary. With a salary below ksh 60,000, It’s important to understand all hidden charges a car owner has to bear.

Fuel:
First expense that you have to bear is Fuel Costs which usually come between Ksh 6000-10000 depending on your car usage.

Insurance:
If you are buying a car you have to pay for insurance too which will cost you around Ksh 1500 per month depending on plan.

Servicing & Repairs:
Other expense that you have to manage is timely car servicing. This expense costs around KSh 3,000–5,000 for basic servicing.  

Parking:

If you work or live in busy areas where there is a monthly charge for parking, this budget will also add to your monthly expenses.  

Emergency Fund:

Set aside small amount monthly so emergency repairs like puncture, a dead battery, or any other mechanical issue don’t catch you off guard. Keep aside KSh 1,000–2,000 every month protects you from stress when something unexpected happens.

Conclusion

Buying a car with a low salary in Kenya is surely possible. All you need is a good budget plan, reliable finance option and an affordable car. From fuel-efficient hatchbacks to budget-friendly financing plans, there are plenty of used cars for sale that fit comfortably within a low-income budget. But it’s not so easy, there are other expenses that will be added to your monthly budget as a car owner. You have to save for insurance, service & Maintenance, fuel and more we explained above,  With careful planning and a bit of patience, you can confidently move from public transport to owning a car that matches your lifestyle and income. Your journey to smart, affordable car ownership starts with the right choices today.

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In Kenya People often say: “With a salary below ksh 60K, forget about buying a car.” But let us tell you that it’s just a Myth. We have many customers with modest income that are already own a car. Reason is, they choose the right car and smart finance planning. If you want to know, how? in this guide you”ll learn the way to own an affordable car, how to choose, how to pay without draining your monthly salary. 
 

Are you Eligible to Own a Car?

First Step is to check if you can afford the EMIs or not. To check this, we use 15-20 rule. In this, we check that your EMI should not be greater than 15-20% of your Salary. Means, if your salary is 60k then your car loan EMI should not take more than KSh 9,000–12,000 per month. To get a car in this EMI range, either you have to choose a cheaper model or increase the tenure of your car loan.  For example, a car worth KSh 460,000–600,000 can fit into this repayment bracket when financed through a Sacco, microfinance, or dealer plan.

Second Important thing before own a car is that you should have some amount for Down Payment too. Having Even Ksh70,000- 100,000 can lower your installment amount and help you decrease your loan amount. The more you save upfront, the more comfortable your monthly budget becomes.

Best Affordable Cars for a Salary Below 60K

Let’s look at the list of vehicles you can afford with Salary Below ksh 60,000

Toyota Passo

The Passo is one of the most practical options for buyers on a low income. It’s cheap to run, extremely fuel-efficient, and spare parts are affordable. Many dealers offering Toyota Passo cars for sale in Kenya also provide financing options, making it a great starter car for anyone earning below 60K.

Toyota Vitz 

People love the Vitz because it just works—hardly ever breaks down and doesn’t cost much to keep on the road. It holds its value, too. If you’re searching for a car that won’t drain your wallet, you’ll spot loads of Toyota Vitz for sale in Kenya, no matter your budget or how you want to pay.

Suzuki Alto 

The Alto is all about saving money. It’s cheap to buy, sips fuel, and doesn’t need much fuss to keep running. Perfect for weaving through city traffic. Kenyan dealerships always seem to have plenty of Suzuki cars for sale in Kenya, so you’ll have no trouble finding an affordable one.

Nissan March 

The March is comfy, drives smooth, and won’t hit you with big service bills. It usually costs less than a similar Toyota, which is a win if you’re keeping an eye on your spending. Used Nissan March cars pop up all over the place in Kenya, and the prices often make sense for tight budgets.

Mazda Demio 

The Demio’s got some style, goes easy on fuel, and drives nice. Young professionals and first-timers seem to like it a lot. You can find plenty of  used Mazda Cars for sale at dealerships across Kenya, and if you’re earning less than 60K, the prices won’t scare you off.

Honda Fit 

The Fit gives you more space inside, stays reliable, and barely sips fuel. If you want a roomier ride without spending a fortune, this one’s a strong pick. There’s no shortage of Honda Fit cars for sale in Kenya, so tracking down one that fits your budget is pretty easy.

Financing Options That Work

When your salary is 60k or below, Choosing the right Finance option is very important, The goal is to choose one with which you can easily repay the loan and it should satisfy 15-20 rule. Here are the few finance options we will discuss here.

Sacco Loans

Saccos are one of the best options for low-income earners. They offer lower interest rates, longer repayment periods, and flexible terms. With a Sacco loan, it’s easier to keep your monthly instalment within the KSh 9,000–12,000 range, especially if you already save with that Sacco.

Microfinance Institutions

Microfinance lenders provide car loans with smaller entry requirements and faster approval. While interest may be slightly higher than Saccos, they are more flexible for buyers with limited income. When choosing microfinance, look for plans that allow you to stretch the loan over 36–48 months so you stay within the affordable repayment bracket.

Dealership Financing

Some dealerships offer in-house financing that is tailored to low-income buyers. This can include low down payments, longer repayment periods, and simple approval processes. If your salary is under 60K, dealership financing can help you drive home quickly while keeping installments in the recommended range.

Salary-Backed Loans

These loans are deducted directly from your salary, making them convenient and disciplined. For someone earning below 60K, salary-backed loans can offer predictable monthly repayments and a clear structure. Just make sure the instalment stays between KSh 9,000–12,000 so it does not strain your monthly budget.

Total Monthly Ownership Costs

After choosing the finance option, it’s time to decide if you can maintain the car expenses every month with your salary. With a salary below ksh 60,000, It’s important to understand all hidden charges a car owner has to bear.

Fuel:
First expense that you have to bear is Fuel Costs which usually come between Ksh 6000-10000 depending on your car usage.

Insurance:
If you are buying a car you have to pay for insurance too which will cost you around Ksh 1500 per month depending on plan.

Servicing & Repairs:
Other expense that you have to manage is timely car servicing. This expense costs around KSh 3,000–5,000 for basic servicing.  

Parking:

If you work or live in busy areas where there is a monthly charge for parking, this budget will also add to your monthly expenses.  

Emergency Fund:

Set aside small amount monthly so emergency repairs like puncture, a dead battery, or any other mechanical issue don’t catch you off guard. Keep aside KSh 1,000–2,000 every month protects you from stress when something unexpected happens.

Conclusion

Buying a car with a low salary in Kenya is surely possible. All you need is a good budget plan, reliable finance option and an affordable car. From fuel-efficient hatchbacks to budget-friendly financing plans, there are plenty of used cars for sale that fit comfortably within a low-income budget. But it’s not so easy, there are other expenses that will be added to your monthly budget as a car owner. You have to save for insurance, service & Maintenance, fuel and more we explained above,  With careful planning and a bit of patience, you can confidently move from public transport to owning a car that matches your lifestyle and income. Your journey to smart, affordable car ownership starts with the right choices today.