The argument about car pre-purchase inspection keeps popping up between Kampala’s motoring enthusiasts.

It is normally a mechanics versus motorists’ battle. While the former explain the importance of the exercise, the latter argue that it is just a money-minting scheme.

Nelson Ssenyange of Germax Auto Spare and Garage in Naalya had an altercation with his client over the same.

He explains that the vehicle, which had been brought to his garage for repair, had no catalytic converter and engine seals. It also had other mechanical problems, requiring about sh12m to be fixed. That would not have surprised the owner if he had done a pre-purchase inspection to identify all those problems.

Saeed Bilali Lali, the sales and relations manager at Yuasa Investments car bond in Nakawa scoffs at the practice, stating that he has observed it being done locally and it leaves a lot to be desired.

“People bring their mechanics here to inspect cars, but 95% of the vehicles that we import are tested and driven by road from Mombasa to Kampala,” he says, adding that it is only delicate European cars like Benzes and Range Rovers that come on carriers.

According to him, the vehicles they import are thoroughly tested in Japan where every importing country has a standards’ office like Uganda’s UNBS. Cars with issues with the engine or leakages are rejected, while those that pass are cleared.

When I asked about a Mitsubishi Pajero they imported early this year without a catalytic converter, he said it was tampered with in Mombasa. “Here, we don’t have that standard of inspection. There is no way you can just open the bonnet and tell if it is okay or not. In Japan, they use proper tools for the job; they start the car, take a sample of the engine oil to a laboratory and find out if it is burning well or not.

Check the last time the oil was changed. Look at the mileage. That will help assess the vehicle,” he explains.

Ssenyange says they (mechanics) ride on reputation and credibility. They have all the tools for Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI) and After-Purchase Inspection (API). The latter is done if you were unable to do the former.

“With PPI, we check every component of the car – the engine, the door, lights, shock absorbers, to the smallest wire. Ssenyange says they handle 16 vehicle brands and pay $3,000 (about sh11m) annually for each to access the manufacturer’s database and so charge $200 (about sh740,000) for PPI or API.