Ex-Japan vs New vs Genuine Car Parts: Which to Buy in Kenya

Partsultan parts desk · 2026-10-24

Three kinds of part, one question

Every week someone at our counter asks the same thing: "Is it original?" The honest answer needs a bit more detail, because Kenyan parts come in three broad kinds, and each one is the right buy for some jobs and the wrong buy for others. - Genuine new: made by or for the carmaker, sold new in the carmaker's packaging, usually through the authorised dealer. - Ex-Japan (used original): original parts removed from vehicles in Japan and shipped here. They were made by the carmaker, but they have been used. - New aftermarket: new parts made by another manufacturer, sold under that maker's own brand, designed to replace the original. There is a fourth kind nobody should buy: counterfeits, which are copies packaged to look genuine. More on those below.

Genuine new: the best fit, at the highest price

Genuine new parts fit exactly and come with the carmaker's warranty. CFAO Mobility, the official Toyota distributor in Kenya, says it holds 13,000 genuine line items and backs them with a one-year manufacturer's warranty (CFAO Mobility). The downside is price and availability. For older Japanese imports, a new genuine headlight or bumper can cost several times an ex-Japan unit, and may need to be ordered. Buy genuine new when the car is under warranty, when the part is safety-critical and you want the factory specification, or when an ex-Japan unit is not available.

Ex-Japan: original fit, lower price, individual condition

Ex-Japan parts are why many Kenyan cars stay on the road. Because they were made by the carmaker, a Toyota ex-Japan headlight fits like the original. It has the right mounts, connectors and beam pattern. Prices in our current stock (October 2026) show the gap: - Toyota Probox 2014 headlight, right-hand side: KES 10,000 (3 in stock) - Toyota Axio 141 headlight, left or right: KES 5,000 - Nissan Note 2012 headlight, right-hand side: KES 10,000 - Toyota Probox side mirror, left or right: KES 8,000 - Toyota Probox 2010 rear bumper: KES 4,000 Ex-Japan prices move. Business Daily reported in 2022 that Nairobi ex-Japan body and light prices rose by up to 50% within six months, driven by shipping costs and a weaker shilling. Treat any price you see online, including ours, as a price on a date. The catch is that every ex-Japan part is a used, individual item. Two Probox mirrors at the same price can be in different condition. That is why you should see photos of the actual unit, not a catalogue picture.

New aftermarket: good for service parts and older cars

Aftermarket parts are made new by other manufacturers. Quality ranges from excellent to poor, so the brand matters. Some examples on our shelves: - Depo headlight for Toyota Hilux 2008–2012, left-hand side: KES 3,500 - Febest suspension bushings, engine mounts and brake pad kits: price on request - KYB gas shock absorbers: price on request - Filters labelled with the Toyota number they replace, such as an oil filter for 90915-10001 at KES 150 A good aftermarket part is not a fake. It carries its own maker's name and states which original number it replaces.

Counterfeits: the part to avoid

Counterfeits copy the packaging of a genuine part. A Toyota Kenya survey reported by Business Daily found 8 in 10 vehicles checked had at least one fake part. A 2025 Anti-Counterfeit Authority firm-level survey, reported by People Daily, found automotive spare parts had the highest counterfeit prevalence of the sectors surveyed, at 21%. The rule is simple. A part that claims to be genuine, sells far below the dealer price and comes from a seller with no address is a risk. Our guide on spotting fake oil filters shows the checks: https://partsultan.com/blog/how-to-spot-fake-oil-filter-kenya

Which should you buy? Our rule of thumb

- Body panels, bumpers, bonnets, doors, mirrors and lamps: ex-Japan is usually the best value. You get original fit at a lower price. Check the condition. - Brake pads, brake shoes and brake fluid: buy new, either genuine or a known aftermarket brand. Never used. - Filters, oil and service parts: buy new. A known aftermarket brand or genuine both work. Avoid unbranded boxes that copy a carmaker's design. - Suspension parts such as bushings, links and shocks: new, from a known brand. - Engine electronics: ex-Japan can work, but test before you pay.

Checks before you pay for an ex-Japan part

- Confirm the chassis code and year range, not just the model name. A 2008 and a 2014 Axio take different headlights. - Confirm the side. LHS means left-hand side and RHS means right-hand side, as seen from the driver's seat. - Look for cracked lenses, moisture inside lamps, broken mounting tabs and repaired plastic. - Count the wires on mirrors and lamps against your car's plug. - Ask for photos of the actual unit, front and back.

Frequently asked questions

Is ex-Japan the same as genuine? An ex-Japan part was made by the carmaker, so it is original equipment. It is used, though, so condition varies. "Genuine new" means unused, in the maker's packaging. Are aftermarket parts fake? No. A fake pretends to be another brand. An aftermarket part carries its own maker's name. Why are ex-Japan parts cheaper than genuine new? They are used, and they come from a large supply of vehicles dismantled in Japan.

How to order from Partsultan

WhatsApp or call +254 791 371 515 with your car's model, year, chassis code and the side you need. We send photos of the exact unit and confirm the price. Pay by M-Pesa once you are happy. We deliver the same day within Nairobi and send countrywide by courier. You can also see the part at our shop in Industrial Area, Nairobi, Monday to Saturday, 8am to 7pm. Browse our ex-Japan body parts and lights at https://partsultan.com/categories/body-parts-auto-lightsex-japan