Tips For Buying A Car

Author: Amelia Stenson

Great care should be taken when buying a car, as this is probably your most expensive asset after your home.   As with the vast majority of industries in South Africa, there are always the dodgy few willing to compromise the sector as a whole but if you follow some simple tips, buying a new or used car should be a pleasure.   In recent times with the increased incidence of the repossession of motor vehicles by banks and other finance houses, motor vehicle auctions in Cape Town have become more and more popular and prevalent.   The big draw-back of auctions, however, is that you will have to do a lot of research into your car of choice by yourself. If you have little or no knowledge of motor vehicles, take someone who does along with you and always check up on any information given to you by the auctioneers.     Insist on a test drive and ask a knowledgeable friend to come along and assess the car.    Verify the car’s history by contacting previous owners if necessary.    Make sure it is not a code 3 (meaning two damaged cars that have been welded together) as this is not the ideal choice for the discerning driver.      Although buying a used car privately might be “cheaper” than through a car dealer, there is a lot more risk involved and it might well end up costing you far more in the long run. It’s not always possible to get the full history of the car and it may even be stolen or used as collateral for a loan or HP agreement. Buying privately immediately limits your legal rights as there is normally no warranty attached to the purchase.   Certainly the safest way to buy a used or new car is through a reputable car dealer. Not only are you afforded the maximum protection of the law but you can choose a car dealer that has either been approved by one of the major finance houses or a trade association. Used cars available through dealerships are generally inspected by the Automobile Association of South Africa and often provide a couple of years’ warranty.

U.s. News & World Report Best Cars for the Money and Car and Driver Editors Choices