The Daihatsu Move is a Japanese "kei" car: a small, tall hatchback with a 660cc engine and four doors. Kei cars are built to Japan's small-car rules, so they are cheap to buy, cheap to ship and very cheap on fuel. The Move is one of the best-selling kei cars in Japan and a direct rival to the Suzuki Wagon R.
Is a Kei Car Right for You?
A kei car is a good choice if:
- you drive mostly in town,
- you usually carry one to three people, and
- you want the lowest running cost possible.
It is not the best choice if you drive long distances on fast highways, carry four adults and luggage often, or drive steep hills every day. For that, look at something slightly bigger, like the Toyota Tank.
Trims
- L / X: the standard trims with the non-turbo engine.
- RS: the turbo version. Much better on hills and highways, and usually better equipped.
- "SA", "SA III", "Smart Assist": this is Daihatsu's safety package (automatic emergency braking and related features). "SA III" is the newer, better version. You'll often see it in the name, like "Move X SA III".
- Custom: sportier front and more equipment.
What to Check
- CVT gearbox: ask whether the inspector noted judder or noise.
- Turbo (RS only): ask about smoke and warning lights.
- Mileage: kei cars are driven a lot in Japan. Ours have 149,000 to 249,000 km. Look at the auction grade and interior wear, not just the number.
- Tyres: kei cars use small, specific tyre sizes. Check they are in good condition, since replacements may be harder to find locally.
- Safety system: if the listing says "SA", ask whether any warning light is on.
- Auction sheet: see how to read a Japanese auction sheet.
Move vs Wagon R vs Hustler
| Car | What it is | Our stock (Sept 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Daihatsu Move | Tall kei hatchback, RS turbo available | 2 (2018–2019) |
| Suzuki Wagon R | Its closest rival; many are "hybrid" (mild hybrid) versions | 3 (2019) |
| Suzuki Hustler | Kei car with a small-SUV look and 4WD | 1 (2019) |
All three are similar in size and cost. Choose on condition and price first, and name second.
Age Rules
Our Moves are 2018 and 2019 models, so they fit Kenya's 8-year rule in 2026. They are too old for Jamaica (5 years) and Trinidad & Tobago (4 years). Countries with no strict limit on our checker, like Uganda, Tanzania, the Bahamas, Barbados and Suriname, can take them too.
In Our Stock (September 2026)
We have 2 Daihatsu Moves: a 2019 Move X SA III and a 2018 Move RS Hyper SA III (turbo).
| Destination | Delivered price |
|---|---|
| Mombasa (Kenya / Uganda / Tanzania) | about $3,500–$4,500 |
| Nassau, Bahamas | about $4,500–$5,500 |
| Paramaribo, Suriname | about $5,000–$5,500 |
| Bridgetown, Barbados | about $5,000–$5,500 |
Delivered = car price + ocean freight to the port, rounded up to the next $500. Insurance, import duty/taxes, port and clearing charges are extra. See how to calculate the true landed cost.
See all our Daihatsus on the Daihatsu page, or compare with other small cars in our list of cars under $5,000 delivered to Mombasa.