Shopping for a used car? Heres how to do it

Shopping for a used car is riskier than buying new – there’s generally more unknown, plus can you trust all the information you’re given about the history? Having said that, there are many cheap, second hand cars in South Africa and one of them just might be your next set of wheels!

We have some tips on how to make a great buying decision, plus we have a fleet of more than 4 000 popular makes and models of used cars for sale, which can be viewed on our website for previously loved cars.  All our cars have a proven service record, and have undergone a stringent 116-point quality assurance check. We can also arrange finance and insurance for the vehicles, which span more than 14 brands and seven car types.



Go for a test drive 
This is the most obvious way to find out if you like the car, and if anything seems wrong with it. Also sit in the back seat to see what it’s like as a passenger, and preferably try driving on the highway and in a suburb to get a feel for both. (Read more: How to test drive a car)

If you have children or an adventurous lifestyle, check that your car will fit all your gear such as prams, infant car seats, bikes and more. Ask yourself if the car ticks all your boxes when it comes to comfort, safety and drivability.

Check reviews for the make and model  

Do your research and see what the car’s strengths and weaknesses are. Look beyond the aesthetics of a car and assess its worth based on safety, comfort and driveability. Check out the car reviews on our blog.  



Look at more than one option 

Don’t go for the first car you like! Try other cars in the price/car type range, so that you’re able to compare, and get a good sense of what else is available. 





Consider what everything will cost

A car costs more than what you pay for it – you need to consider maintenance, insurance and fuel too. 

You might want to find a cheaper car to be able to afford the insurance, or you might choose to buy a newer car with a maintenance plan so that you don’t have to fork out for repairs. To get the full picture, see if you can get the car financed (and what your monthly payments will be), assess what your fuel costs could be per month, and get insurance quotes. You can get a free online quote for maintenance plans, service plans and insurance from MotorHappy right here.


Ask an expert 

Speak to someone who knows a lot about cars, or even a mechanic not affiliated to the dealership, who will generally know which cars and models regularly break, or have common faults.




Check the car’s depreciation rate 

There are lots of online calculators where you can check your car’s depreciation rate. This will help when deciding between two similarly priced cars, as you might want to opt for the car with a lower rate of depreciation. (Read more: How depreciation effects the value of your car)



Ask someone who has the same car

Do you know of any owners who have the same car as the one you’re looking at? They’ll be able to honestly shed light on the vehicle’s pros and cons.


For more information on MotorHappy’s used car options, and to search cars by brand, category, price or region, click here. 

Read more:

Should you buy a car from a dealership or a private seller

How to register and license your car 

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