Help
Frequently asked questions
Can't find what you're after? Ask us directly.
Selling
How do I list a car?+
Create a free account, then click Sell my car. Our 6-step wizard takes about 5 minutes — make, model, specs, photos, price, location. New listings are reviewed by our team before going live.
Is listing free?+
Yes — individual sellers list for free. Featured placement (premium spot in search results, longer duration, advanced analytics) is paid and the price is shown clearly before checkout.
How long does my listing stay active?+
Free listings stay live for 30 days. Featured listings stay live for 60 days. You can renew or repost at any time from your dashboard.
Can I edit my listing after it's live?+
Yes. From "My listings" you can edit details, swap photos, change price, or mark it sold. Significant edits (e.g. changing the vehicle) may trigger another review.
What documents do I need to sell my car?+
You should have the original logbook in your name, KRA PIN, ID, valid inspection if applicable, and a service record if available. Buyers will ask for these — having them ready closes deals faster.
Why was my listing rejected?+
Common reasons: missing or low-quality photos, mismatched specs, price clearly outside market range, duplicate listing, or suspected fraud. You'll receive an email with the exact reason and can fix and resubmit.
Buying
How do I contact a seller?+
On any listing page you can call the seller directly, message them on WhatsApp, or send an inquiry through gari_me. Inquiries keep your number private until you choose to share it.
How do I verify a seller?+
Look for the "Verified" badge — we confirm phone, email, and ID before issuing it. Check their member-since date, active listings count, and response rate.
What if I find a scam?+
Tap "Report listing" at the bottom of any listing page. Our team reviews reports quickly and removes fraudulent content. Never send advance payments to unverified sellers.
Can I view the car before buying?+
Always. Insist on a physical inspection in a safe public place and a test drive. Don't pay anything before you've seen the car and verified the logbook details with NTSA.
Does gari_me handle the payment?+
No. Vehicle payments are between buyer and seller. We only charge sellers for optional services like Featured Listings.
Safety
Is my information safe?+
Yes. We use HTTPS everywhere, hash passwords with bcrypt, and never sell your data. See our Privacy Policy for the full details.
How do I avoid common scams?+
Don't send any money before physically inspecting the car. Beware sellers who refuse calls or meeting in person. Verify the logbook on the NTSA TIMS portal yourself.
What is the NTSA TIMS portal?+
TIMS (Transport Integrated Management System) is the official Kenya National Transport and Safety Authority portal where logbook ownership and transfers are recorded. Always cross-check the logbook details there before paying.
Can I block another user?+
You can report listings and users that misbehave. Block functionality is on the roadmap — meanwhile, our admin team acts quickly on reports.
Payments & fees
What payment methods do you accept?+
M-Pesa (via Safaricom Daraja) and cards (via Paystack). All processed by licensed payment providers — gari_me never sees your card or M-Pesa PIN.
How much is a Featured Listing?+
Featured Listings are priced from KES 1,500. The exact amount is shown before you pay. Featured listings get premium placement, a "Featured" badge, longer duration, and advanced analytics.
Can I get a refund on a Featured Listing?+
Fees are generally non-refundable. If your listing is rejected after payment, we will issue a credit. Contact us if you believe an exception applies.
Account
I forgot my password — what now?+
Use the Forgot password link on the sign-in page. You’ll receive a reset link by email within a minute.
How do I close my account?+
Send us a message via the contact page and our team will close the account and delete personal data subject to legal retention requirements.