Buying Your First Car in South Africa

Adulting | Published: Nov 27, 2025

Budgeting Car Buying First Car Vehicle Finance Car Insurance Maintenance

Buying Your First Car in South Africa: Your Beginner's Guide

Buying your first car is a huge milestone, but it involves a lot of confusing words and choices. We've broken down all the essential terms and steps so you can shop smart.

Step 1: Can You Actually Afford It? Budgeting for Your First Car

A car is much more than just the price tag! Even affordable new models, like the Suzuki S-Presso (from R178,900 in 2025), have ongoing costs. A flashy car might impress, but it's not worth straining your budget.

The Key Costs You Must Budget For:

Cost Item	What it Means in Simple Terms	Your Budget (Roughly)
Purchase Price/Deposit	The amount you pay to get the car. Used cars start from R50,000. Giving a small amount upfront, like R15,000 (a deposit), makes your monthly payments lower.	R50,000+ (Used)
Monthly Repayments	The money you pay back every month if you take out a loan (called financing). Example: A R100,000 loan costs about R2,200 per month. 🔗 WesBank Calculator	R2,200+/month
Insurance	A contract where a company pays for damages or loss, like if your car is stolen or crashes. You must have it. Beginner drivers pay more because companies see them as higher risk.	R200–R2,000/month
Fuel	How much you spend on petrol or diesel.	R1,000–R2,500/month
Maintenance	The regular care and check-ups your car needs to keep running well. Do this regularly (yearly) to avoid huge repair bills later.	R500–R7,000/year
Licensing	A yearly fee (basically a tax) for the License Disc, which is the small sticker you must display on your windscreen to drive legally.	R500–R1,200/year

Step 2: New vs. Used & Engine Type

New vs. Used

Option	What is it?	Best for You If...
New Car	Straight from the dealer, comes with a warranty (the manufacturer will cover major breakdowns for 3–5 years).	You value reliability, modern features, and don't mind the high price (from R178,900).
Used Car	Has had one or more previous owners.	You need a cheaper price (R50,000–R150,000) and lower insurance.

Quick Tip (Used Cars): Pay about R1,000 for a mechanic's inspection via the AA before you buy to spot any hidden issues.
🔗 AA Mechanic Inspection

Petrol vs. Diesel: What Powers Your Ride?

Every car needs fuel to run. You cannot put the wrong fuel in your car—the engines are built differently!

Fuel Type	How it Works for You	Best For Your Driving Style
Petrol (The most common one)	It is cheaper to buy the car in the first place, and servicing costs are usually lower.	Best if you drive mainly in the city and take lots of short trips (under 15,000 km per year).
Diesel	It is more fuel efficient (you save money on fuel over long distances) because the fuel itself holds more energy.	Best if you do a lot of long-distance driving and spend many hours on the highway (over 20,000 km per year).

Manual vs. Automatic: How to Change Gears

Manual Car: Requires you to press a clutch pedal and move a gear stick to change gears yourself.
Pros: Cheaper to buy, lower repair costs, and better fuel economy.
Best For: Confident drivers with tight budgets.

Automatic Car: Changes gears on its own, "automatically," using just the accelerator and brake.
Pros: Easier to drive, less tiring in heavy traffic.
Cons: Higher purchase price, pricier repairs, and slightly worse fuel economy.
Best For: New drivers and city commuters.

Step 3: Where to Shop and How to Avoid Scams

Where to Buy Your Car

Where to Shop	Pros	Cons	Providers (Examples)
Dealerships	Safest option; full warranties, expert-checked used cars, financing on-site, Roadworthy usually included.	Costs more; salespeople may pressure you.	Toyota, VW, Hyundai.
Online Marketplaces	Huge selection, lower prices, photos, specs, and seller reviews.	Scammers sometimes list fake cars; private sales have no official protection.	AutoTrader, Cars.co.za, Webuycars.
Private Sellers	Cheapest prices and room to bargain face-to-face.	Highest scam risk, no warranty, and you’re on your own if the car breaks down.	Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree.

PRO TIP: Always get a vehicle history report from Carfax and choose "certified" or "verified" sellers when shopping online.
🔗 Carfax Vehicle History

Avoiding Scams and Red Flags

‘Urgent Sale’ Excuses: Pressure to buy fast often hides issues. Walk away if you feel rushed.
Too-Good-to-Be-True Prices: A R50,000 BMW is likely stolen or broken. Compare prices on AutoTrader.
No Roadworthy Certificate: A legitimate seller provides one; absence signals faults.
Suspiciously Low Mileage: Check for odometer tampering (e.g., 50,000km on a 10-year-old car).

Step 4: The Test Drive and Paperwork

The Test Drive

Drive for 20–30 minutes on highways and city streets—match your normal routine. Listen for noises (engine rattles, brake squeaks). Test the brakes, steering, lights, and electronics.

The Paperwork

Do not hand over any money until you have these documents:

Signed Proof of Sale: Lists buyer, seller, car, and price.
Roadworthy Certificate (RWC): A legal requirement for used cars to transfer ownership, proving the vehicle is safe. It must be valid for less than 60 days.
Registration Papers (RC1): Confirms legal ownership via NaTIS.
Your ID + Proof of Residence: FICA-compliant documents (like a utility bill).