Cars That Cost Less Than R83,145.05 in South Africa
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You might not have the budget for a new car, but that doesn’t mean you can’t drive. There are plenty of excellent used cars out there that you can buy for less than R50,000. You need to be careful when looking for an affordable second-hand car. In South Africa, unscrupulous dealers often sell used cars as if they were new – at an exorbitant price. You need to check several things before buying a used car to make sure it is safe and worth its asking price. Some of these checks are also useful if you buy a new car but want to keep the cost low. Here we take a look at some of them and identify some affordable cars under R50,000 that you might like:
Check the body and interior of the car.
The outside of a car is the first thing you notice, so it’s essential to look for any signs of damage. Look for scratches and dents on the exterior and the interior. A car with a clean body and interior is less likely to have been owned by a messy person. Ensure the colour scheme is original and that all the panels are in the right place. If you see that a mirror or part of the bumper is missing, the car has likely been in an accident. But be careful: parts can be swapped out and put on another car to make it look like the car has never been in a crash. The inside of the car is also a good indicator of how much the car has been used. Look for stains and dirty marks on the seat and the steering wheel. A car used regularly will have signs of wear and tear on the leather and plastic. If possible, also try to open and close all the doors, the trunk, and the hood to check for any strange noises.
Check the odometer reading.
The odometer reading is the total number of kilometres a car has been driven. When buying a used car, you want to check the odometer reading because it could give you an idea of how long the car has been around. Newer cars almost always have a low odometer reading below 70 000 km, whereas older cars will have higher readings depending on age. You need to remember that the odometer reading is not an indicator of the car’s condition. Sometimes, used car dealers will tamper with the odometer reading to make it look like the car has travelled fewer kilometres. You can check the odometer reading by looking at the car’s engine or by taking it to a mechanic. If the reading seems higher than expected, it could mean the car has been in an accident, or the odometer has been tampered with.
Check whether it is a new/used replacement part.
As used cars can be sold with new or used parts, checking whether a part is new or used when buying a used car is vital. New parts cost more, so you can infer that the price of a car is higher if it comes with new parts. New parts are also more likely to have been installed well, as the mechanic has not used them before. On the other hand, used parts may be a sign that the car has been in an accident. It could also mean the mechanic is skimping on repairs and using the old parts. It is not always bad if a used part is used in place of the new part, but it can be a good idea to investigate further.
Check whether the car has been in a crash.
If you suspect that a car has been in an accident, you can get it inspected by a mechanic who specialises in car inspections. An expert mechanic can tell whether a car has been in a crash by looking at it. If you find damage under the paint, it could indicate that the car has been in an accident. If you see cracks in the hood or dents in the fender, it is likely the car has been in a crash. Make sure you take the car for an inspection if you see any damage that may have been caused by accident. You can also have the car inspected with an accident data recorder, a device that can be plugged into the car and reveal information about the car’s history. If the car has been in a crash, the device will show one or more incidents, including the date and time of the collision, the type of crash, and sometimes even the direction the car was travelling.
Check whether there is any outstanding debt on the car.
If possible, ask how much is owed on a used car that you want to buy. It is a red flag if the person selling the car owes more on the car than the car is worth. You can check whether there is any debt on the car at the National Credit Regulator website. The website lets you search the debt details of individuals and businesses. It is essential to check the debt details of the person selling the car to be sure that you are not liable for it if you buy the car.
Check whether you are getting a good deal.
If you have checked all the above, you can now decide whether you want to buy the car or not. You should compare different cars and prices before determining which one to buy. Check the car’s history and whether it has been in an accident to avoid future headaches.
Conclusion
Buying a used car is a great way to get on the road without spending much money. However, it is essential to ensure that the car is in good condition before buying it. There are several things you need to check, including the odometer reading, the car’s history, and the car’s accident history. When buying a used car, it is essential to ensure you get a good deal by comparing different prices and models. With these tips in mind, you should have no problem finding a used car that is both affordable and reliable.
