3 companies that will inspect a used car before you buy it in South Africa

The used-car market in South Africa is a minefield for the uninitiated. It’s a mix of lemons, rustbuckets, and literal rolling deathtraps.

Malcolm Cavie, founder of View4You, recently brought to light the alarming statistic that as much as 90% of the vehicles on the used market are not what they appear to be.

View4You specialises in performing pre-purchase inspections of used vehicles on behalf of consumers who may not have the expertise to spot red flags on a shiny set of wheels in a bright showroom.

Out of the 100 vehicles the company peruses in the average week, Cavie said only about 10 are given the green light.

As for the rest, well, the defects range anywhere from manipulated service records to written-off cars that were cheaply repaired and resold.

Better safe than sorry

With over 31,000 used vehicles sold in the country in July to the tune of R13 billion, it is a lucrative industry harbouring many individuals who are only in it for a quick buck and may not have their customers’ best interests in mind.

Cavie notes that the faulty vehicles View4You inspectors come across on a weekly basis are often cars that recently underwent roadworthy inspections and were deemed in acceptable condition whilst in reality being far away from it.

It may not always be the dealer who requested the report to be falsified, regardless, it still comes down to the buyer to determine whether the roadworthy inspection is worth its weight.

Additionally, Cavie said that shady vehicles have been discovered at retailers of all walks of life, even the most prestigious of independent vehicle showrooms as well as manufacturer-certified sellers.

View4You is actively working with a client who not that long ago purchased a sports car from a respected dealer and later discovered that it was previously in an accident and written off by the insurer, but that it had somehow found its way back into the market.

Many dealers do not perform their due diligence when procuring a vehicle for resale, either. They buy it sight unseen and will not request nor retain any records of previous accidents, services, or insurance claims.

The next day they will give it a wash, roll it out onto the floor, and sell it to you with a big smile claiming it has a spotless past.

View4You has also found retailers that manipulate service records to appear as if RMI-approved workshops performed the servicing and repairs when it was really 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.”

Past initiatives have attempted to curb the spread of shoddy pre-owned vehicles, such as the South African Insurance Association’s VIN Lookup database. However, they have had little, if any impact.

It’s therefore important to do your due diligence before making a financially-binding decision.

Cavie provided the following tips for consumers who are trying to navigate the treacherous used-car sector on their own:

• 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

Alternatively, it might be wise to have an expert do it on your behalf for a fee, as it could save you from buying a dangerous money pit.

The table below details three vehicle inspection companies in South Africa we found with good reviews from past customers: