There is an alarming prevalence of shoddy vehicles for sale in South Africa’s pre-owned market.
Out of the 100 vehicles View4You inspects for its clients during the average week, only around 10 are given the green light.
View4You performs pre-purchase inspections of both new and pre-owned cars for prospective buyers using trained professionals who are more equipped to spot flaws and red flags than the average consumer.
With over 27,000 used vehicles sold in the country in June to the tune of R11.3 billion, it is a lucrative industry with many dealers who may not have their customers’ best interests in mind.
There is no reputable car dealer in South Africa
Speaking to eNCA, View4You founder Malcolm Cavie noted a concerning pervasiveness of low-quality used cars on the market that are punted as pristine examples but turn out to be lemons upon closer examination.
“What we found, out of the hundred vehicles in a week that we check, only about 10 are ok,” said Cavie.
The duds often include vehicles that recently underwent roadworthy inspections and were deemed perfectly fit for use.
Cavie notes that the phenomenon isn’t limited to shady back-alley sellers, as View4You has found lemons at even the most prestigious of independent vehicle retailers as well as manufacturer-certified dealers.
He highlights an ongoing case with a client who purchased a sports car from a respected dealer and later discovered that an insurer had previously written it off. It was subsequently repaired and resold on a platform where over 700 companies from all walks of life actively bid on cars.
Many dealers do not perform their due diligence when procuring a vehicle for resale, either. They buy it sight unseen and will not seek nor keep any records of previous accidents, services, or insurance claims, but will go on to advertise the car as the cleanest and best example on the market.
View4You has also found dealers who manipulate service records to appear as if RMI-approved workshops performed the necessary jobs where, in reality, it was an independent mechanic without proper certification.
“There is no reputable dealer in South Africa. We’ve seen it from your Tyger Valleys, your Sandtons, to your Selby, your Joburg CBD, it’s all the same,” said Cavie.
“It’s just a facade of a reputable dealer.”
Cavie provided the following tips for consumers who are trying to navigate the minefield that is the pre-owned car market:
- Be well rested and do not rush the inspection
- Check that the paperwork is legitimate
- Never view a car under artificial light, take it outside into the sun to better spot imperfections
- Test drive the car at various speeds, high and low, and pay attention to strange noises and feelings
- Look underneath the car for damages
- Start the motor and let it run while you’re inspecting the rest of the vehicle, once you’re done, any leaks or irregularities will be more visible
If you are not confident in your abilities to uncover imperfections in a used vehicle, Cavie recommends enlisting the help of a well-informed friend or relative, or a professional service, to perform the pre-purchase inspection on your behalf.
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