Motoring

Finding a motoring business you can trust

Buying or fixing a car is one of the bigger amounts most households spend in a year, and it is hard to judge a business from the side of the road. Each ad in this section was read by us before it ran, and links to the place where the business shows its work: its own website, or the page where it posts its stock and news.

Buying from a dealer or privately

A dealer sells in the ordinary course of business, so the Consumer Protection Act applies. A used car must still be of reasonable quality for its age and mileage, and if a defect appears within six months that wasn’t disclosed, you can ask for a repair, replacement or refund. A dealer usually also handles the roadworthy certificate, the registration papers and finance.

A private seller is not covered in the same way, and a sale “voetstoots” (as it stands) usually means you accept the car with its faults. Prices can be lower, but you do more of the checking and paperwork yourself.

Before you sign anything

• See the papers. Ask for the registration certificate, and check that the VIN and engine numbers match the car.
• Ask about finance on the car. If a bank still has a loan on it, the bank owns it until the loan is settled. A dealer should settle it before you take the papers.
• Look at the service history. A stamped service book or invoices tell you more than a fresh polish.
• Get it checked. An independent inspection costs little compared with a gearbox.
• Know where to complain. The Motor Industry Ombudsman of South Africa handles disputes with motor businesses that can’t be settled with the business itself.

What you will find here

Ads in this section cover used cars, with dealers such as those selling used cars on the East Rand. More motoring categories will follow as businesses join.

Written by the Find4U team at QX Software in Pretoria. We read every website before its ad runs.