The vast majority of South Africans are holding onto their cars for much longer than before, largely due to the high cost of living and skyrocketing prices for new models.
A study conducted by the Automobile Association (AA) found that over 90% of motorists are driven by financial constraints to extend the lifespan of their cars, often keeping them running well past the decade mark.
This is supported by data from WeBuyCars, which shows that most of the vehicles sold on the platform are more than 10 years old.
The Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA), a division of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), said that this trend underscores a vital need for motorists to be more proactive with regards to vehicle maintenance and safety.
“Modern vehicles are built to last much longer than in the past, but longevity is entirely dependent on proper maintenance,” said National Chairman of MIWA Dewald Ranft.
“The reality is that many South Africans are delaying servicing or ignoring minor issues because of financial pressure, but postponing maintenance often leads to far more expensive repairs later on,” he said.
International reports show that, with regular servicing, modern vehicles can easily exceed 200,000km and remain reliable for over a decade.
However, this is with the important caveat that owners are proactive with regards to preventative maintenance.
“There is a huge difference between ‘keeping a car longer’ and ‘maintaining a car properly for longer’,” said Ranft.
Seemingly small things, like ignoring warning lights, not changing the oil, or delaying tyre replacements, may save some money in the short term, but can lead to a massive financial headache down the line.
Ranft recommended that motorists do the following to improve the lifespan of their cars:
- Use quality parts, oils, and fluids
- Regularly replace the oil and filters
- Address warning lights immediately
- Frequently check tyre pressure and wheel alignment
- Monitor brake wear and inspect suspension components
- Pay attention to the cooling system and battery condition
- Follow the manufacturer’s recommended service schedule
- Have your vehicle inspected regularly by a reputable, accredited workshop
The chairman warned that South Africa’s deteriorating road conditions are putting additional strain on older cars.
He explained that poor road surfaces, potholes, and rising traffic congestion are speeding up the decay of suspension systems, tyres, steering components, and brakes.
Chinese cars lowering prices
While car prices have steadily increased across the board since the start of the decade, Chinese cars are now driving prices down in a few key segments of South Africa’s pre-owned market.
According to AutoTrader, Chinese cars are so much cheaper relative to their legacy rivals that retailers are being forced to adjust their margins to remain competitive.
The platform noted that Chinese cars are reshaping consumer expectations about price, features, and performance, leading to periods of deflation in South Africa’s used car market.
“The data shows that average used-car prices are still higher year-on-year, but the market is becoming more competitive,” AutoTrader CEO George Mienie said.
“What is changing is the mix of vehicles, the value buyers are responding to, and the way dealers need to position stock.”
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