How To Sell Your Car Privately In South Africa

Selling your car privately in South Africa can be a savvy move if you know how to approach the process. Here is some insider information, tips and advice from the seasoned Group1 Cars team that will set you up for success if you choose to go the DIY route when it comes to selling your car, bakkie or SUV in RSA.

Step 1: Understand Your Rights As A Seller

The Consumer Protection Act of South Africa is one of the most progressive in the world. It places you, as a vehicle owner in a great position to get fair market value for your car when you sell it yourself. However, your prospective buyer is also protected, which means you need to play open cards with regard to the vehicle’s history and condition.

Step 2: Advertise Effectively

In order to get the best possible price for your car when selling it privately in South Africa, it helps to advertise widely on online car sales platforms and bulletin boards. Also, consider above-the-line media like the local paper and region-specific Facebook groups that speak to consumers in your vicinity. Take photos of your (clean, tidy) car in good light to get the best response.

Step 3: Screen Prospective Buyers

Meeting up with prospective buyers is non-negotiable when you sell a car yourself. Be careful about who and how you meet. It’s best to have extensive discussions with a buyer beforehand, not just via text, but also via phone or video call. It’s within your rights to ask for identification, and always meet in the daytime in a safe, populated area.

Step 4: Know The Worth Of Your Vehicle

As we will discuss in the next section, there are certain things you need to have in place when you put a price on your car. In order to know how much you can ask for your vehicle, you will need to get a roadworthy certificate, have the car inspected and get a proper valuation from an auto professional. This way you can put it to market at a rate that is competitive and attractive but also suits your needs.

Step 5: Draw Up An Agreement Of Sale

Having a professionally drafted agreement of sale in place when you decide to sell your car privately to an interested buyer is a good way to ensure both parties are safeguarded against any issues that might arise after ownership is transferred from yourself to the buyer. It ensures that all verbal agreements are put on paper and can be referenced easily to resolve any emergent disputes amicably later on.

Step 6: If In Doubt, Get Assistance

If, at any point, during the process of selling your car privately in South Africa you feel out of your depth, or unsure about how to proceed, it’s always best to get the support of an auto professional. The Group1 Cars team is well-versed in the intricacies of selling a car in RSA and can assist you with selling your vehicle for a cash price or as a trade-in.

Important Things To Note When Selling Your Car Privately In SA

We love a good tick-list when tackling a new task, so we’ve compiled one for you to set the stage for a smooth and efficient private car sale process. Here are six important boxes you need to tick when you go this route to sell your car, bakkie or SUV:

Get A Roadworthy Inspection

One of the first things you will need to do in order to put your car in the market for private sale is get a roadworthy inspection. Any prospective buyer worth their salt will want to see a roadworthy certificate before even viewing the vehicle or opening negotiation discussions. Having this ready places you in a good position to get fair, market-related resale value for your vehicle.

Have Your Vehicle Inspected Overall

It’s also a good idea to schedule an overall inspection of your car before putting it up for sale. After all, it’s best to know beforehand if there are any niggling issues or concerns you need to address in order to make it a more attractive prospect for a likely buyer. Even if you don’t plan to have it fixed, it’s always best to be upfront about any issues when a buyer approaches you.

Get Your Vehicle Valuated

If there is only one bit of advice you take from this piece, we would like it to be this – know your vehicle’s worth before you put it up for sale. There are quite a few variables that influence this number, and a knowledgeable team of auto experts can help you to put the right price tag on your vehicle. This includes calculations based on depreciation, supply and demand, etc.

Have Your Paperwork In Order

There are several documents you will need to have ready when you put your car up for sale privately in SA. This includes a valid form of South African ID, proof of ownership certificate or settlement letter from your bank, a vehicle registration certificate, a roadworthy certificate and a service history, as well as receipts if your car is still under warranty.

Browse New Cars For Sale

Once the private sale of your current car is underway, it’s time to start looking for your new dream vehicle. At Group1 Cars, we offer an extensive collection of new and used sedans, bakkies, SUVs and more to consider when you are ready to swap or upgrade. Let’s get you behind the wheel of a vehicle that matches your drive to thrive!

Secure Financing

Securing financing for a new or used vehicle in South Africa can be a simple process when you have the support of a knowledgeable team. The Group1 Cars finance team have their finger on the pulse of the latest auto financing requirements and will be able to assist you with the process from start to finish.

Do You Have Questions About Selling Your Car Privately In SA? We’re Here To Help!

Our Group1 Cars team is standing by to provide you with expert advice every step of the way. We can assist you to:

Good luck on your car-selling journey! If, at any point, you feel that you need the support of a professional sales team to take over the process, feel free to reach out to the Group1 Cars team to sell your car.