Used Car Guide

During the holiday season, there is an influx of vehicles on the road as many people travel home, visit family and go on vacations. This is why regular vehicle maintenance is essential and visiting your nearest service centre becomes crucial. This is to avoid any roadside electrical or mechanical faults which could have been avoided. While accidents can happen anytime, it's essential to adhere to the rules of the road as well as consider these driving tips.  One of the most essential actions to take when travelling is ensuring the roadworthiness of your vehicle beforehand. Has it been well maintained including receiving a major or minor service? If it has, then you’re good to go. However, if it hasn’t, it's best to visit your local service centre and enquire about what it requires. As a rule of thumb, a vehicle should be serviced either every 100 00km or 15000 km, especially when it's still “new” or if you’re looking to maintain its current value. Minor and major services will range from engine oil to brake pad replacement and even installation of new parts where applicable. Auto Pedigree has service centres nationally to visit for check-in and tune-up before hitting the road. They will look into services such as your tyres, their pressure, tire thread as well as an oil change, exhaust systems and spark plugs amongst other vehicle services. Always record these services on your vehicle’s service book as this comes in handy when you’re looking to trade it in. A well-serviced vehicle is less likely to break down. Plan your trip and the route you’ll be taking to give yourself ample time for rest in between the drive. This is a great way to be vigilant of your surrounding. Whether it's during the day or at night, knowing if the road ahead is prone to animal crossing, potholes or a hot spot will assist in understanding the speed limit you need to drive in. Here are some mandatory basic safety rules: Keep to the speed limit. Do not drink and drive. Maintain a safe distance from other vehicles. Always wear a seatbelt as should all other passengers. Always secure infants under the age of 12 months in a rear-facing car seat in the back of a car. If you’re planning a trip anytime soon, visit any Auto Pedigree service centre for minor or major services. We service all brands and models.  

When negotiating a deal for a quality used vehicle, it's important to do your research and speak to the sales consultant with confidence. Being able to ask questions like, “Why is this car being sold, does it have a service and accident history” is important. These questions and many others you may have will assist you in getting a great deal.  The answers that the sales consultant will give, will give you an idea of the maintenance and condition of the vehicle.  So, what should you do when you’ve found your vehicle and the numbers game starts?  Use the following tips to help you. Research at least three vehicles you are interested in Check out their prices, and mileage, compare prices and test-drive them as well. Understand your payment options Enquire about the vehicle price and specification from both cash payment and vehicle finance. This will ascertain what you will be able to afford from both options.  Always have vehicle options available This will make it easy to narrow down a deal that will suit your budget and lifestyle. More importantly, you will know which car will bring you value for money, should you choose to trade it in later. When making a transaction at a dealership, negotiate one deal at a time. i.e start off with a trade-in and then discuss the vehicle-to-purchase deal after.  This gives you time to fully understand each transaction separately and assess what will make financial sense to you. Bring along a friend or family member who is knowledgeable about cars and will be able to assist and advise you more.  Have a number in mind and stick to it. This could be your purchase amount or the monthly instalment you’re able to afford. This will help you plan and achieve your budget goals.

Keeping your vehicle in good condition and service is one of the key things that vehicle owners can do to maintain their vehicle value. Doing so would help prevent mechanical and electrical problems from creeping up when least expected. Being aware and vigilant of your vehicle’s change in driving or odd sounds coming from it is another way too. If ignored, these minor issues could end up costing you a lot of money in vehicle maintenance, repair, and service.  To maintain your vehicle’s value, here is what you need to do.  Keep the vehicle in its original condition with no added modifications as these tend to decrease the vehicle’s value. Much of a vehicle’s value is solely dependent on its maintenance plan, service history, vehicle brand, model and demand. These factors are what will determine your vehicle’s “future” market value.  Service your vehicle regularly and record all major and minor services done to it. This will prevent the vehicle from experiencing mechanical issues which could burn a hole in your pocket. By keeping a service book, you are showing a potential buyer that the vehicle has been taken care of.  Maintain its condition by avoiding excessive wear and tear. Don’t leave a scratch or dent for too long that it causes more damage to the vehicle.  Park your vehicle in a safe place, preferably indoors to avoid any rust developing over time and the paintwork fading out. Manage your mileage - if you’re planning to sell your vehicle at a particular time, ensure that the mileage of the vehicle is within selling limits. This is because mileage is also considered when looking to sell or trade in your vehicle.  Conduct a full vehicle inspection a week before selling it or trading it in. Look at headlights that need to be polished, tyre pressure, any leaks, scratches and radio knobs apart from other small details that need replacement.  Keeping your vehicle in pristine condition is pivotal in ensuring a market-related price should you decide to sell or trade in.  

Whether you’re looking for a private use car or a family vehicle, it's important to know that these standard safety features are available in your next vehicle purchase. In the event of an accident, they will be able to assist you and your loved ones. Here are some safety features that all drivers, especially new car buyers should look for when purchasing a vehicle for the first time.  While some of these come standard in most vehicles, it's important to know what is available and what to look for when shopping around for a vehicle to suit your needs.  Safety Systems These are the standard features, which should be available in every vehicle by law like seatbelts, which should be available for the driver as well as the passengers.  Anto-Lock Brake Systems (ABS) ABS as its commonly known is a system that prevents your vehicle wheels from locking when brakes are applied. Its sensors which are found on each wheel prevent uncontrollable movement. If the wheels were to lock up, this would prevent the driver from being able to control the movement of the vehicle. Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)  Is a safety system that helps to sense when a possible collision will occur. It will then independently activate the brakes to slow the vehicle down or bring it to a stop to avoid a collision.  Driver And Side Airbags In an accident, airbags are released within milliseconds for the front passengers to minimize the forced impact of a collision.  Electronic Stability Control (ESC) It is a system that improves driving stability, when necessary, on any road or tyre grip. It also prevents the drive wheels from spinning uncontrollably.  Traction Control It’s an electronic system that works and uses the same system as that of the ABS to help prevent the wheel from spinning.  Adaptive Headlights Unlike traditional headlights that are fixed to one position of the vehicle. Adaptive headlights use electronic sensors that can detect your steering angle or direction and adjust themselves accordingly. While other features such as tyre pressure monitor, blind spot monitoring as well as the reverse camera may be standard in some vehicles, they are not mandatory in others. These are features which would be an add-on.  Get peace of mind with Auto Pedigree’s 116-Point quality assurance vehicle inspection that includes a detailed check on the functional and cosmetic components of each vehicle to ensure your car is of great quality. Find your next vehicle at any Auto Pedigree dealership where all our vehicles come with standard safety features nationwide.

The importance of taking care of your vehicle's tyres cannot be overstated. Responsible motorists should take an interest in the condition of their tyres, not just to avoid a costly repair bill but also to ensure the safety of other road users. Properly taking care of your tyres and identifying potential tire-related issues is an important part of owning a vehicle. We'll discuss how you can properly take care of your tyres to make them last longer. Tyre Pressure Level All four tyres should be inflated to the recommended pressure level, which can be found in the vehicle’s manual, the driver’s-side door sill or even behind the fuel door. Under inflation is one of the most common problems with tyres, leading to accelerated wear. Tyre Profile This refers to the distance from the rim's end to the tyre's edge. It is also one of the formats that determine the tyre size. It is important to drive tires with the right sidewall height and recommended size for your vehicle. Using tyres that don’t meet the vehicle’s requirements will result in rubbing against the wheel well, lower fuel efficiency or even inaccurate readings on the speedometer. Regular Tyre Rotation Rotating your tyres regularly is essential to even out their wear and get extended life or mileage out of them. For the best performance from your tyres, it is recommended that you rotate them every 8000 – 10 000 km or once in 6 months. Proper Vehicle Alignment Poor wheel alignment is one of the leading causes of uneven tread wear as it puts more stress on your tyres. Another sign that your vehicle’s tyres are unbalanced is vibration. Vibration when driving is damaging to your tyre and can prematurely wear your tyres and cause flat spots on the tread. Regular Damage Check Tyres can become damaged for various reasons. The most common types are punctures, cuts, impacts and irregular wear. It is important to regularly check that there is no damage to your tyres and drive cautiously to avoid incidents that could cause damage. Good tyre care is necessary for your safety on the road and to keep your vehicle in good condition. Our exceptionally skilled staff provide you with expert workmanship and greater peace of mind on the road. Find a service centre near you.  

Vehicle Purchasing Terminology Buying a vehicle is a wonderful exercise, however, research is necessary to ensure that you are well informed when it is time to sign off on your new vehicle. Part of the research is understanding the terminology of specific words and phrases when shopping around for your vehicle. This is pivotal if you’re planning on purchasing your vehicle through vehicle finance also known as a vehicle loan from the bank. Here we break down some key terms so that your decision-making process is easier. Balloon payment / Residual These terms are interchangeable and mean the same thing. It’s a lump sum payment that is made at the end of your final vehicle instalment before taking ownership of the vehicle. Simply put, it's the deposit you pay at the end of the finance agreement term. Make sure you understand the pros and cons of residual values before you decide on this option. Deposit A sum of money paid upfront and deducted from the total amount financed by a bank. This amount of money assists in decreasing your monthly instalments as well as your interest rate. The more your deposit is, the lesser your monthly instalments will be as well as interest. Monthly Instalments This is the agreed-upon amount between yourself and a bank to pay towards your vehicle loan on a monthly basis. If a deposit was paid upfront, that amount will assist in decreasing your monthly instalment. Hence, it's important to deposit more to pay less monthly where applicable. Interest Interest is the amount of money you pay for borrowing from the bank. In other words, you’ll pay the initial amount of money you borrowed plus the interest for borrowing that money. And this must be paid within a stipulated amount of time. There are two types of interest rates vehicle buyers can choose from at the start of an agreement – fixed or linked. Fixed interest means that it will not change nor be affected by external factors like inflation. While a linked interest means interest rates may vary depending on what the bank's prime lending rate is at any given time. And this is determined by the South African Reserve Bank. Offer To Purchase       This is usually the bulk of the paperwork, It is a contractual agreement between yourself and the bank on the terms of the vehicle purchase. It’s a detailed document on the vehicle, its specs, financing arrangements and terms. You cannot just cancel it without a good reason, so read it carefully and make sure you are happy with your decision to purchase the vehicle. Warranty A warranty is the manufacturer’s promise that the machine they’re selling you won’t give you problems, and they’ll cover it if it does. Warranties are usually included in the sale of a new vehicle, but this can be extended or replaced with equivalent coverage when the time comes or when purchasing an older used vehicle. Settlement This is the amount you need to pay off the loan and claim full ownership of the vehicle. NaTIS document This is the document that shows that the vehicle belongs to you. It will change from the dealer’s name to your name when registration happens, but you won’t get the physical papers until after you pay the vehicle off.   Here’s our blog post on everything you need to know about NaTIS documents. Deal Assistance Also known as Trade Assistance, is an Auto Pedigree benefit to provide you with the flexibility to structure your payment deal according to your financial needs. With this in mind, visit any of our dealerships nationwide or browse with ease here.  

Financing a vehicle is a big financial commitment whether done through the bank or individually. And to help make those monthly payments more affordable, saving for a vehicle deposit could help in getting you the best loan that you can afford as well as your dream car.  Putting down a minimum deposit of at least 10 percent on your vehicle finance can significantly reduce the cost of your loan and could save you a considerable amount of money in the long run. Here are our top 4 benefits of having a deposit on your next vehicle purchase. 1. Pay less interest The more money you put in as a deposit, the less you need to borrow from the bank. With a smaller loan amount, you’ll pay interest on a lower balance, which means your total interest cost will be less, too.  2. Improve your chances of getting your vehicle loan approved by the bank A deposit may help you to easily qualify for a vehicle loan, especially if you have a lower credit score. Without a deposit, the bank has more to lose if you don’t repay the loan. 3.  Lower monthly payments  Having a deposit reduces the amount you need to borrow, therefore decreasing your monthly loan payment amount. Let’s say you buy a vehicle with no down payment.  4. Shortens your financing period A deposit will effectively reduce the amount of the vehicle finance agreement and therefore allow you the ability to reduce the financing period. So, instead of reducing your monthly repayment, you could opt to reduce the time to pay off your vehicle. Get up to *R50 000 Deal Assistance to use as a deposit on your next vehicle. Browse available vehicles today and chat with our sales consultants on how you can use deal assistance on your next vehicle. *Ts&Cs Apply  

After taking a good, long look at the cost of driving petrol-fuelled cars in South Africa, many have switched over to hybrid cars. They are growing in popularity as they become more affordable and accessible. However, the least expensive hybrid car technically depends on what you require from it, whether that is carting a boatload of kids around or transporting big loads of heavy goods or simply getting from point A to point B every so often. Let’s take a look at which hybrid car is the least expensive in South Africa.  Toyota Corolla 1.8 Hybrid XS 2021 saw the grand introduction of the affordable petrol-electric Toyota Corolla 1.8 Hybrid XS. This beauty operates via a CVT gearbox, providing a smoother driving experience as opposed to conventional automatic gearboxes. The 1.8-litre powerplant and electric motor dish out a good 90kw and although it is compact, it offers 440 litres of boot space.  The interior of the car is geared up with current technology and modern features while meeting an impressive standard for comfort in the amount of legroom available for a happy family to enjoy. This hybrid car is the perfect contender if you lead a family life and need adequate space for comfort and functionality.  Honda Fit Hybrid  Dynamite really does come in small packages. Released in June 2021, the Honda Fit Hybrid is the perfect low-maintenance car for those not requiring too much from their desired set of hybrid wheels.  It is geared up with the Honda 1.5-liter MMD eCVT system, meaning that you can choose between engine drive, hybrid drive and electric drive modes, which makes for a substantial amount of pulling power and overall lower fuel consumption. This hybrid car is equipped with the latest safety features and is built beautifully and sturdily.  Toyota Corolla 1.8 Hybrid XS Sedan  This hybrid car is greatly similar to the one discussed above, equipped with the same powertrain assembly. Although it is a bit smaller than its sibling, the Toyota Corolla Hybrid Sedan offers a spacious area for cargo.  This is another hybrid that is perfect for general on-the-go use, while equipped with the space and features to accommodate families and transporting large loads. Simply put, this hybrid car is a jack of all trades.  After taking a look at the promising hybrid cars above, we are pleased to tell you that the least expensive is the Toyota Corolla 1.8 Hybrid XS. Again, this depends on what you require from it, but looking at the price of the hybrid cars alone, this one comes in the first place.  That concludes our survey of some of the least expensive hybrid cars on the market today, and we will not be surprised to see more affordable hybrid cars making their way onto the scene. If you would like to learn more about hybrid cars, get in touch with a representative at Auto Pedigree.   

If you are purchasing your second-hand car on instalment, it is mandatory that your vehicle be insured before it leaves the dealership. This is to protect the bank’s asset, which is the vehicle. If you’ve found an insurer, it is time to ask the tough questions, how much will your vehicle insurance premium be, how will it be calculated and what does it cover? Let’s take a look at what it covers and what you should be mindful of: Factors Contributing To The Price Of Your Vehicle Insurance Premium: Credit Profile  This will be assessed to determine your relationship with debt and how you pay it off. Location and Vehicle Security Areas tracked as high zone areas of interest. i.e. accidents, high jacking, theft. Installing an approved alarm system or tracking device is a great way to reduce your premiums. If a vehicle is without any security installed, it will be dependent on the vehicle model and make, the terms and conditions of your insurer and where (location) your car is parked during the day and overnight e.g off-street parking or secure locked gate. Vehicle Model Vehicles that are slightly more expensive or in high demand or prone to theft tend to contribute to one’s premium increase. This is because vehicle repair costs and recovery are considered in cases of incidents.  Risk Profile Many insurers will require a regular driver, their age, gender, and other details. These are all determining factors that look at previous driving history, license issued and any prior accidents—all these combined estimate whether your premium will be high or low. Your vehicle insurance premiums will increase in the way the vehicle is driven, stored, and taken care of. If you’re constantly claiming, your premiums will go up because of the risk profile you’re displaying. Inflation  The knock-on effects of the Covid-pandemic have left financial impactions resulting in increased supplies, repairs, and stock in general. Whether a vehicle is the latest model or a used one, the cost of repairing it bears no warrant to its age.  5 Tips To Help You Keep Your Insurance Premium: Increase security features for vehicles as your insurance premium is based on location, vehicle model, and where it's parked. Don’t claim all the time, excessive claims against your profile negatively impact your risk profile. Increase your excess when you claim. While the lowest one might be the preferred choice, it calls for expensive premiums which could result in unaffordability.  Review your cover for any updates which could be beneficial to lowering your premiums. Always update your details should there be any changes such as your address and main driver information. Use one of our Auto Pedigree insurance brokers to negotiate the best and most affordable premium. Click here to get started   

If you’re leaning toward selling your car, you may want to factor the mileage into the equation. Being one of the main components in determining the overall value of your car, selling in alignment with your car mileage can offer you a great advantage. But why should you consider mileage when selling your car? And what mileage is the best time to sell your car?  Why Consider Mileage When Selling Your Car?  Your car mileage gives a good overview of when it is optimal to sell your car as it ultimately determines the value of your car and what you are likely to get for it. This is because buyers’ opinions of cars for sale is greatly based on the accumulated mileage, with cars carrying low mileage considered to be more appealing than those with high mileage. It is best not to wait too long to sell, as buyers are generally hesitant to purchase an overly used car.  That being said, selling your car too early with a few miles on the clock may cause you to lose a consequential amount of money.  What Mileage Is The Best Time To Sell Your Car?  Knowing the optimal time to sell your car will make it much easier to find a buyer as well as ensure that you get the most out of the car. Generally, new cars see the greatest depreciation in value within the first year. Value usually decreases until the car has reached 36,000 miles and is no longer covered by the manufacturer’s warranties. If you’re looking to obtain the maximum value of the car when you sell it, we don’t recommend selling it at this time.  If you are hoping to sell your car without having to spend money on repairs, we suggest selling before your car reaches 60,000 miles. You may not receive the greatest value for it, but it won’t cost you nearly as much to sell as it would in its first few years.   If you are looking to get the most value out of selling your car, 60,000 to 100,000 miles is the sweet spot. Although it may require some expensive repairs, you will have gotten a lot out of the car if you have kept up with scheduled maintenance and should also get a fair price for it.  Anything above 100,000 miles is ultimately less desirable to buyers, regardless of the car’s condition and capability to run. They are seen as risky investments as they are likely going to require expensive repairs soon along the road. Thus, you may struggle to find a buyer, and you likely won’t get much from the sale if you do.  That brings us to the end of our run-through of what mileage is the best time to sell your car. Hopefully, this has offered some guidance in deciding whether or not to sell. If you would like to learn more about when to sell your car, get in touch with Auto Pedigree.