Buying a second hand car

[The Webdev Guy]

Hi All

I'm looking to buy a second hand car. My budget is around R40k for a family car.
I've never bought a second hand car in South Africa so i was wondering if anyone could advise:

1. What to look out for?
2. What is the process?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated and if anyone has something available up for grabs please let me know

 

[Splinter]

@FiestaST

 

[TheChamp]

What to look out for

Firstly avoid troublesome models no matter how good they look, stick with Japanese or Koreans if you can, preferably normally aspirated cars.

Look for service history, even if it's not up to date but it should be recent, take your time and test drive.

Do your homework on common problems, be informed and know what questions to ask. Avoid dodgy dealers, if it looks dodgy, it is dodgy.

Process

I prefer buying and paying something extra for the dealer to take care of the paperwork, they always have ways of getting things done in regards to roadworthy and registration, last time I bought a car I paid R1400 for the service, I don't like spending a day queueing at the traffic department so I don't mind.

After the registration is done you should get your car certificate, check if everything matches, that's about it.

It helps to post here often and get ideas on your journey, you will get all the advice you need.

Where are you located?

 

[SauRoNZA]

Do dealers even bother with 40k cars? I would think the mandatory six month warranties and such would make it unprofitable to even bother these days.

 

[FiestaST]

R40k gets/z you a number of Hyundai Getz models to choose from.

It's a reliable easygoing runabout that should give you a good few years of service.

If you wanted something more classic perhaps consider something like this:

Ford Cortina 2.0 GL for sale in Milnerton - ID: 25436037

Used 1981 Ford Cortina 2.0 GL For Sale - R 44 000 - ID: 25436037

www.autotrader.co.za

 

[WesleyDB]

Hi All

I'm looking to buy a second hand car. My budget is around R40k for a family car.
I've never bought a second hand car in South Africa so i was wondering if anyone could advise:

1. What to look out for?
2. What is the process?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated and if anyone has something available up for grabs please let me know

Make sure all paperwork is in order. No license disc expired or photocopy log books. Check for accident damage(creases in the framework)
Take a good mechanic with you to give the car a once over.

 

[The Webdev Guy]

What to look out for

Firstly avoid troublesome models no matter how good they look, stick with Japanese or Koreans if you can, preferably normally aspirated cars.

Look for service history, even if it's not up to date but it should be recent, take your time and test drive.

Do your homework on common problems, be informed and know what questions to ask. Avoid dodgy dealers, if it looks dodgy, it is dodgy.

Process

I prefer buying and paying something extra for the dealer to take care of the paperwork, they always have ways of getting things done in regards to roadworthy and registration, last time I bought a car I paid R1400 for the service, I don't like spending a day queueing at the traffic department so I don't mind.

After the registration is done you should get your car certificate, check if everything matches, that's about it.

It helps to post here often and get ideas on your journey, you will get all the advice you need.

Where are you located?

Thanks, some great advice
I do like the idea of paying a dealer to get the paperwork etc sorted out as I know that can be tedious and a bit of a run around. If you are buying from a private seller (FB Marketplace or Gumtree) can you still engage a dealer to handle the paperwork?

I am in Cape Town and will definitely keep updating here as I go along!

 

[The Webdev Guy]

Do dealers even bother with 40k cars? I would think the mandatory six month warranties and such would make it unprofitable to even bother these days.

You can actually get some good deals in the +/-40k range.

 

[The Webdev Guy]

R40k gets/z you a number of Hyundai Getz models to choose from.

It's a reliable easygoing runabout that should give you a good few years of service.

If you wanted something more classic perhaps consider something like this:

Ford Cortina 2.0 GL for sale in Milnerton - ID: 25436037

Used 1981 Ford Cortina 2.0 GL For Sale - R 44 000 - ID: 25436037

www.autotrader.co.za

View attachment 832094

Thanks, thats exactly what I'm looking for - just something to get me from A to B for a while. I work for myself so need to get around to clients and to take the family out on the weekend or to the beach (one day... when lockdown ends. lol)

I love the Cortina but will probably get divorced if I buy that.

 

[WesleyDB]

Thanks, some great advice
I do like the idea of paying a dealer to get the paperwork etc sorted out as I know that can be tedious and a bit of a run around. If you are buying from a private seller (FB Marketplace or Gumtree) can you still engage a dealer to handle the paperwork?

I am in Cape Town and will definitely keep updating here as I go along!

You can, use that in your negotiations. It's not too difficult to do yourself. Just need to take the car to get the COR and a trip to the licensing office to transfer ownership.

 

[TheChamp]

Thanks, some great advice
I do like the idea of paying a dealer to get the paperwork etc sorted out as I know that can be tedious and a bit of a run around. If you are buying from a private seller (FB Marketplace or Gumtree) can you still engage a dealer to handle the paperwork?

I am in Cape Town and will definitely keep updating here as I go along!

Dealers don't make money from the registration process, they make money from the sale which makes them so happy that they don't mind doing the extra admin work for a small fee. Coming with a car from somwher and asking them to register it for you is not going to work unfortunately.