___________________________________________________ _ 
 
GHANA STANDARD          DGS: 45 10:2019  
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ROAD VEHICLES — REQUIREMENTS FOR 
IMPORTED USED MOTOR VEHICLES .  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
______________________________________________________________________________  
ICS                Ref. No. DGS 45 10:2019  
 Ghana Standards Authority (GSA). No part of this publication may be photocopied or otherwise reproduced without the prior per mission, in 
writing, of the GSA.  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
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© GSA 2019  
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The copyright of this sta ndard is owned by the Ghana Standards 
Authority. Without advance written permission from the copyright owner, no part of this standard 
may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including, without 
limitation, electronic post ing on an intranet or internet or mechanical means not limited to, 
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may be prosecuted.  
For further information, please contact:  
Ghana Standards Authority  
P.O. Box MB 245 Accra -Ghana,  
Tel: (233 -302) 506991 -5. 500065/6,  
Fax: (233 -302)500092, 500231,  
E-mail: info@gsa.gov.gh  and tcs@gsa.gov.gh   
Website: www.gsa.gov.gh  
 
 
 
Foreword  
 
The Ghana Standards Authority is the National Statutory Body responsible for the development 
and promulgation of Ghana Standards.  
 
The Ghana Standards Authority is a member of the African Organization for Standardization 
(ARSO), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and an affiliate member of the 
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).  
 
This Ghana Standard is the road vehicles — requirements for imported used mot or vehicles. It 
lays down the essential requirements to which  imported used  vehicles must conform.  
 
The National Committee responsible for this standard ( DGS 45 10:2019) is the Technical 
Committee for Automobile Industry (GSA/TC 05).  
 
This is the 1st edition.  
 
Users of this standard should note that the standard undergoes revision from time to time and 
any references to it statutorily imply its latest edition.  
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________________________________________________  
 
GHANA STANDARD                GS 4 510: 2019  
______________________________________________________________________  
 
 
Road vehicles — Requirements for imported used motor vehicles  
 
 
1. Scope  
 
This Ghana  Standard  specifies the requirements, which include safety characteristics and 
inspection criteria for roadworthiness of imported  used motor vehicles of categories M1, M2, M3, 
N1, N2, N3 and O with the exception of category L.    
 
 
2. Normative references  
 
The follow ing refere nced doc uments are indispensable in the application of  this document. For  
dated refere nces, only the edition  cited  applies .  For undated references , the latest  edition  of the 
referenced  document ( including any amend ments) appli es. 
 
GS ISO 3997: 2019  - Road vehicles — Vehicle identification number (VIN) — Content and 
structure  
 
GS ISO 4030: 2019  - Road vehicles — Vehicle identification number (VIN) — Location and 
attachment  
 
GS 1219: 2018 - Environment and Health Protection – Requirements for Motor Ve hicle Emissions  
 
 
3. Definitions  
 
For the p urposes of this st andard, the f ollowing terms and definiti ons shall apply.  
 
3.1 category L vehicle  
motor vehicle with integral autonomous means of propulsion and that has  
a) two wheels, or  
b) three wheels that are  symmetrically arranged, or  
c) four wheels intended for off -road use only  
 
3.2 category M1 vehicle  
motor vehicle that is used for the carriage of passengers, that has at least four wheels, and that 
has seating accommodation for not more than eight passenge rs in addition to the driver of the 
vehicle  
 
 
 
 3.3 category M2 vehicle  
motor vehicle that is used for the carriage of passengers, that has at least four wheels, and that 
has seating accommodation for more than eight passengers in addition to the driver of  the vehicle, 
and that has a maximum mass not exceeding 5  t 
 
3.4 category M3 vehicle  
motor vehicle that is used for the carriage of passengers, that has at least four wheels, and that 
has seating accommodation for more than eight passengers in addition to the driver of the vehicle, 
and that has a maximum mass exceeding 5 t  
 
3.5 category N1 vehicle  
motor vehicle that has a maximum mass not exceeding 3,5 t, that has at least four wheels (or, 
provided that the maximum mass exceeds 1 t, at least three wheels), and that is used for the 
carriage of goods  
 
3.6 category N2 vehicle  
motor vehicle that is used for the carriage of goods and that has a maximum mass of more than 
3,5 t but not more than 12 t  
 
3.7 category N3 vehicle  
motor vehicle that is used for the carr iage of goods and that has a maximum mass of more than 
12 t 
 
3.8 category O trailer  
vehicle without integral means of propulsion designed to be drawn by another vehicle  
 
3.9 used Vehicle  
a motor vehicle that has been previously owned and/or registered for more than six (6) months 
and/or has more than 5000  kilometres  on its odometer.  
 
3.10 inspection  
activities  such as measuring, exam ining one or more  characteristics of a product or service  
and comparing these  with s pecified requ irements to de termine conformity  
 
3.11 specification  
prescribed r equirement wi th wh ich the product or service h as to c onform  
 
3.12 defect  
non-fulfilment of intended usage requirements  
 
3.13 non -conformity  
non-fulfilment of specifi ed requirem ents 
 
3.14 reliability  
ability of an item to perf orm a requ ired function under stated  cond itions or a  stated per iod of time  
 
3.15 quality  
totality  of featur es and characteristics of a product or service that bear on its ability to satisfy  
stated  or implied nee ds 
 
 3.16 salvage Vehicle  
a motor vehicle that at any time has been declared a total loss vehicle, flood -damaged vehicle, 
and non -repairable vehicle or had “salvage” or a similar word or designation placed on any title 
issued for the vehicle.  
 Total Loss - A vehicle that has been damaged to the extent that the estimated cost of 
repair, not including the cost associated with painting any part of the vehicle, would exceed 
65 percent of the fair market value of the vehicle immediately before the damage was 
incurred. Vehicles with less  than 65 percent damage are not considered salvage vehicles.  
 Flood Damaged - A vehicle that has been submerged in water to a point that the level of 
the water is higher than the door sill of the vehicle and the water has entered the 
passenger, trunk or eng ine compartment of the vehicle and has come into contact with the 
electrical system of the vehicle; or a vehicle that is part of a total loss settlement resulting 
from water damage.  
 Non-Repairable - A vehicle, other than an abandoned vehicle, that has valu e only as a 
source of parts and scrap metal, or has been designated by its owner for dismantling, or 
has been stripped of all body panels, doors, lights, etc., or has been burned or destroyed 
beyond a restorable condition.  
 
3.17 over -aged vehicle  
motor v ehicles used for more than 10 years, from date of manufacture  
 
3.18 proof of compliance  
the authentic evidence of compliance with any of the requirements of this specification  
 
3.19 importer  
person who imports a motor vehicle, and “import” has a correspond ing meaning  
 
3.20 manufacturer  
person who manufactures, produces, assembles, alters, modifies or converts a motor vehicle, 
and “manufacture” has a corresponding meaning  
 
3.21 registered manufacturer, importer or builder  
any manufacturer, importer or builder of vehicles is required to be registered with the relevant 
regulator  
 
3.22 regulator  
an organization appointed by the Minister of Trade and Industry to administer compulsory vehicle 
specifications  on behalf of the Gov ernment of Ghana  
 
 
4.0 General requirements for imported used motor vehicles  
 
4.1 Requirements for import  
 
All used vehicles intended for import in any of the following conditions mentioned shall not be 
allowed into the country;  
 
1. Salvaged vehicles  
 
2. Flooded Vehicles   
3. Originally manufactured right -hand drive vehicles  
 
4. Over -aged vehicles (vehicles over 10 years)  
 
5. Vehicles to be assembled from parts imported as spare parts will not be allowed  
 
6. Vehicles with speedometer readings not being kilometer per ho ur  
 
7. Vehicles sourced from a bonded warehouse  
 
 
4.2 Requirement of an importer  
 
a. No entity/person(s) shall import a used motor vehicle unless registered with the Ghana 
Standards Authority  
  
4.2.2 Whoever, being a n importer of  motor vehicles, who imports or offers to import a used vehicle 
into the country shall:  
 
a. At the time of importation, submit a certificate issued by an approved testing agency to the 
regulator, which proves that the used vehicle being imported into the coun try has been tested 
immediately before shipment for export to Ghana and the said vehicle conforms to all the 
requirements of this Ghana Standard.  
 
b. On arrival at any point of entry into Ghana but before clearance for home consumption, submit 
the vehicle for  inspection and verification by the regulator and the respective revenue 
authority.  
 
c. On arrival at any point of entry into Ghana but before clearance for home consumption ensure 
that the motor vehicle(s) is/are marked by a whole vehicle marking  centre  approved by the 
regulator.  
 
 
5. Inspection  
 
5.1 Inspection shall be carried out by an examiner from the regulator or an authorized agent of 
the regulator.  
 
5.2 The examiner shall ensure that the motor vehicle presented for inspection is the same as that 
described in the application for inspection.  
 
5.3 The vehicle presented for inspection shall be sufficiently clean so that all parts can be 
identified and examin ed with ease.  
5.4 Identification particulars of a vehicle shall be obtained from the vehicle itself.  
 
5.5 If the engine or chassis number has been removed, erased, obliterated, altered, defaced, 
obscured, destroyed, affixed unlawfully or by unauthorized pe rsons or does not correspond with 
the registration certificate or any other acceptable document, the examiner may discontinue the 
examination and record on the inspection record that a clearance from the national police services will be required before the  examination can be continued.  
 
NOTE The Vehicle Inspector must advise the local police station if there is reason to believe that the VIN or chassis number has been 
tampered with in any way.  
 
5.5.1  The VIN number should preferably be located on the windsc reen of the vehicle or any part 
of the vehicle as and shall conform to the appropriate standards ( GS ISO 3779 and GS ISO 4030)  
 
5.4 Inspection record  
 
5.4.1  The vehicle examiner shall carry out the necessary inspections and tests to determine  
whether the vehicle has to be rejected and he/she shall record (in duplicate) his/her findings in an 
inspection record.  
 
5.4.2  In the case of buses and minibuses, the inspection record shall also include items that are 
only applicable to these vehicles.  
 
5.4.3  If the vehicle does not comply with the relevant items in this standard, the examiner shall 
state in the inspection record which items require attention or correction.  
 
5.4.4  One copy of the inspection record shall be handed to the owner or person presenting the 
vehicle for inspection and a duplicate copy shall be filed for future reference.  
 
5.5 Vehicle Identification / Information plate  
 
The motor vehicle shall be fitted with a clearly imprinted information / data plate affixed in an 
accessible place on a door p ost that displays at least the following particulars:  
 
1. Manufacturer  
2. Vehicle Identification Number  
3. Gross vehicle Mass denoted as GVM  
4. Gross axle weight rating denoted as GA and GAU, respectively  
 
NOTE if any of the information is incorrect, or if modifications to the vehicle have obviously affected the tare mass, the informatio n 
given on the plate may have to be verified.  
 
 
6.0 Specific Requirements  for used vehicles  
 
6.1 Steering  
 
6.1.1  A used motor vehicle shall have left -hand steering.  
 
6.1.2  The steering wheel shall turn clockwise and anti -clockwise.  
 
6.2 Brakes  
 
6.2.1 The motor vehicle shall be fitted with a functional  braking system  and shall meet the test 
limits as prescribed for roadworthiness  
 6.3 Seatbelts (Ref Regulation 213)  
 
6.3.1 . A seatbelt shall comply with the relevant national standard and bear a certification mark.  
 
6.4 Exhaust emissions  
 
6.4.1  The importer, at the any point of entry into the country shall submit test reports that shows 
that the imported vehicle meets the exhaust emission requirement as stated in GS 1219.  
 
6.4.2  The motor vehicle shall be at least Euro 2 compliant  
 
6.5 Lighting devices and reflectors   
 
A motor vehicle shall be fitted with the following lamps:  
 
1. Headlamps , 
2. Parking lamps,  
3. Rear lamps,  
4. Stop lamps,  
5. Number plate lamp(s) , 
6. Reversing Lamps , 
7. Brake lamp , 
8. Direction Indicator lamp , 
9. Side-marker lamps,  
10. Front position lamp . 
 
All lamps fitted to a motor vehicle should be undamaged, properly secured, and capable of being 
lighted at all times.  
 
6.5.1 Headlamp  
 
The light from  headla mps shall be white or yellow and the  colour of all headl amps shall be identical   
 
6.5.2 Brake lamp  
 
The light from brake lamps shall be red, and the brake lamps shall be automat ically turned  on 
when  the main br ake system  is activated.  
 
6.5.3 Number pl ate lamp  
 
The motor vehicle shall be fitted with at least one number plate lamp at the rear illuminating the 
number plate by means of a white light, which shall make every letter and figure of such a plate 
distinguishable.  
 
6.5.4  Parking lamp  
 
A motor vehicle  shall be equipped with a parking lamp – 
a. In front with one or two parking lamps which shall be visible directly from the front left side of 
the vehicle;  
b. At the rear with one or two parking lamps which shall be visible directly from the rear left side of the vehicle.  
 
Any parking lamp may form pa rt of a head lamp, fog lamp or a front position lamp.  
The parking lamp shall be white in front, red at the rear, and amber if mutually incorporated in the 
side direction indicator lamps or in the side -marker lamps.  

6.5.5  Rear Lamps  
A motor vehicle shall be fitted with at least one  lamp on each side at the rear  
 
6.5.6 Reverse lamp  
 
A motor vehicle shall be fitted with a reversing lamp emitting a white light, which illuminates the 
road to the rear of, or under the vehicle.  
 
Such a lamp shall be under the control of the driver and shall be either so fitted as to operate only 
when the motor vehicle is placed in reverse gear or be connected with a device by which the 
driver shall be made aware that the lamp is in operation.  
 
No more than two such lamps shall be fitted to a vehicle and no light shall be emitted therefrom 
except when the vehicle is reversing or about to reverse.  
 
6.5.7  Indicating lamps  
 
6.5.7 .1 Indicat or lights lamps shall be install ed at the front and rear of an autom obile, and 
shall be positioned bilaterally  and symmetr ically in pairs,  respectively.  
 
6.5.7 .2 The colour of indicator lights shall be red or amber.  
 
6.5.7 .3 If a trailer or trailers are being drawn, the trailer or trailers shall carry similar indica tors 
showing a flashing light visible from a reasonable distance to the rear.  
 
6.5.7.4 The direction indicators shall be so fitted that the indicators on one side can be operated 
separately from those on the other side.  
 
6.6 Optional lamps  
 
6.6.1  End Outline Marker Lamps  
 
A motor vehicle may be equipped;   
 in front on each side of its longitudinal centre -line with on e end -outline -marker lamp which 
shall be visible directly from the front; and  
 at the rear on each side of its longitudinal centre -line with one end -outline -marker lamp which 
shall be visible directly from the rear.  
 
The end -outline -marker lamps shall  
 be fitted as near as possible to the outer -edges of the front and rear of the motor vehicle 
concerned and as high as possible, but not necessarily beyond the top of the cab height at 
the front and as high as possible at the rear;  
 emit a white light to the  front and red light to the rear.  
  
6.7 Audible warning devices (Horns and Sirens)  
 
6.7.1 A motor vehicle shall be fitted with an electric or pneumatic horn, or with a bulb horn which 
gives out a single note when the bulb is pressed.  
 
6.7.2  Despite clause 6.7.1, a siren or bell as a warning appliance will be allowed for motor vehicles 
imported for the following purposes:  
 
a. a government vehicle used for official purposes by the Head of State;  
 
b. a Police vehicle;  
 
c. a vehicle used by a recogniz ed fire service;  
 
d. an ambulance or vehicle used as ambulances by recognized hospitals or clinics;  
 
e. a vehicle used by other recognized Government Security Agencies; and  
 
f. a bullion vehicle.  
 
6.8 Speedometer and odometer  
 
6.8.1 A used motor vehicle shall have a speedometer indicating speed in kilometers per hour.  
 
6.8.2  The speedometer shall have a functional dial illumination  
 
6.8.3  The importation of any motor vehicle that lacks an odometer at the time of importation is 
prohibited.  
 
6.8.4  The importation of any motor vehicle with an odometer that has been tempered with or any 
motor vehicle with an odometer reading that does not corr ectly record the distance that the vehicle 
has been driven will not be allowed.  
 
6.9 Engine  
 
6.9.1 The motor vehicle engine shall be securely covered with a bonnet and fenders so as not be 
a source of danger . 
 
6.10 HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Condit ioning)  
 
6.10.1  Where an air conditioning  system is fitted on the vehicle, the refriger ant shall not be 
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCS). 
 
6.11 Suspension system  
 
6.11.1  The motor vehicle shall be fitted with a front and rear functional suspension.  
 6.12 Tyres  
 
6.12.1  The motor vehicle shall be fitted with pneumatic tyres manufactured for use in hot and 
normal weather conditions labeled temperature A or B.  
 
6.12.2  The motor vehicle shall not be fitted with a tyre that is five years older than the date of 
manufa cture  
 
6.12.3  The tyres shall be of specified sizes and suited to withstand the maximum permissible 
loads of the motor vehicle to which they are fitted.  
 
6.13 Glazing materials  
 
A motor vehicle shall not have a windscreen, window or partition made of transparent material -  
a. unless such material  affords the driver sufficient visibility for safe driving of such vehicle  
b. unless the visible light transmitta nce through;  
I. the windscreen is at least 70 percent; and   
II. any other window is at least 35 percent  
 
6.13.1 The glazing materials shall have the appropriate approval markings as specified in the 
appropriate standard in the country  
 
6.13.2 The front windshield or windscreen shall be fitted preferably with laminated glass and shall 
not be tinted  
 
6.13.3 The window glass shall be fitted with at least toughened -glass and not exceed 70% light 
transmittance  
 
6.14 Rear -view Mirrors  
a. A motor vehicle shall be  so constructed and maintained as to afford the driver thereof a ful l 
and clear view of the roadway ahead and to his or her right and left when the vehicle is in use;  
b. A motor vehicle shall be  fitted with a rearview mirror or mirrors enabling the driver of such 
vehicle, when he or she is in the driving position, to see in clear weather a clear reflection of 
traffic to the rear: Provided that the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply in respect of a 
tractor.  
 
6.15 Wipers  
 
A motor vehicle shall be fitted with a windscreen with at least one windscreen wiper which shall 
be capable of operation by other than manual means and shall, when in operation, wipe the 
outside of the windscreen directly in front of the driver, continuously, evenly and adequately.  
 
 
7.0 REQUISITE REPORTS FOR VEHICLE CLEARANCE AT POINT OF ENTRY  
 
7.1 Motor vehicle emission report  
 
7.2 Road worthiness test report from an agency approved by the regulator indicating compliance 
to this Standard   
7.3 Certificate of conformity to prove it adheres to the safety standards set by the relevant 
regulator.  
 
 
Annex A  
(Informative)  
 
Sample inspection report template  
  
Lot Motor Vehicle Component/Parts Check Comment
1 STEERING
Original Left-hand drive YES                   NO 
2 BRAKES
Functioning braking system YES                   NO 
3 EMMISIONS
Exhaust emmisions Indicate test report received
4 LIGHTING
Headlamp YES                   NO indicate colour observed 
Stop lamp YES                   NO indicate colour observed 
Number plate lamp YES                   NO indicate colour observed 
Parking lamp YES                   NO indicate colour observed 
Reverse lamp YES                   NO indicate colour observed 
Indicating lamp YES                   NO indicate colour observed 
End outline marker lamp YES                   NO indicate colour observed 
5 AUDIBLE WARNING DEVICE
If single note YES                   NO 
If Siren YES                   NO 
6 SPEEDOMETER READING
If Kilometers per hour (dominant) YES                   NO 
7 COMPLIANT TYRES YES                   NO Indicate Temperature marking observed
8 GLAZING MATERIAL
Windscreen made of laminated glass YES                   NO 
Windows made of toughened glass YES                   NO 
Rear-view mirrors YES                   NO 
9 WINDSCREEN WIPERS YES                   NO 
10 COMPLIANT DATA PLATE YES                   NO 
11 COMPLIANT SEAT BELT YES                   NO 
13 COMPLIANT AIR CONDITIONING YES                   NO 
14 FRONT SUSPENSION YES                   NO 
15 REAR SUSPENSION YES                   NO 
SIGNATURE: SIGNATURE:INSPECTION RESULT:      APPROVED:                                                                             REJECT:
COMMENTS: TYPE OF BODY:
GROSS VEHICLE MASS:TARE MASS:
GROSS COMBINATION MASS:
INSPECTOR: NAME OF APPLICANT:VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER:
YEAR OF MANUFACTURE: 
ENGINE CAPACITY (CC): 
ODOMETER READING:ENGINE NUMBER:
TYPE OF ENGINE: VEHICLE MODEL:GHANA STANDARDS AUTHORITY 
INSPECTION REPORT FOR IMPORTED USED VEHICLES
DATE OF INSPECTION:
IMPORTER:
VEHICLE CATEGORY: