Somewhere between the final exam paper and the matric results, most parents will hear the question: “So, when can I get a car?”
It usually comes with a mix of pride and a mental tally of what it will cost.
That cost tends to be shared. Few 18-year-olds can buy, finance and insure a car on their own, so the decision, and a good part of the bill, often lands with their parents.
A first car can make it easier to get to work or campus and free parents from late-night lift duties. Choose badly, though, and the family could end up paying for a car that costs far more to run than expected, or worse, fall victim to a scam.
Here are the boxes to check before buying that first car.
1. New, second-hand or electric?
For most first-time drivers, a used car is the practical place to start. Lightstone found that drivers under 25 record the highest ratio of used-to-new vehicle purchases, suggesting affordability is the main concern for first-time buyers. “For many young drivers, a well-kept car that is three to five years old makes the most sense,” says Michael Pashut, founder of ChangeCars. “The first owner has absorbed the steepest drop in value, and you still get modern safety features and plenty of life left in the car.
New cars come with a warranty and often a service plan, but entry prices have climbed. According to TopAuto, only five passenger cars sold for under R200,000 at the start of 2026, and Volkswagen’s price list puts the Polo Vivo at between R271,900 and R363,300.
Electric cars are more affordable than many parents realise. The Geely E2 launched in April as South Africa’s cheapest EV, at R339,900, just undercutting the R341,900 BYD Dolphin Surf.
EVs suit a narrower group of drivers, though. “An EV can work well for a young driver who can charge at home and mostly drives around town,” says Pashut. “If your child is living in a res or a flat without a plug, it becomes much harder to justify, at least for now.”
2. Budget beyond the price tag
The purchase price is only the start. On 7 October, 95 petrol rose to a record R30.25 a litre inland and R29.38 at the coast.
Petrol aside, insurance is the cost that catches most parents off guard. Pineapple says new drivers can typically pay between R1,200 and R2,500 a month for comprehensive cover on a small, low-powered car, although premiums vary by driver, vehicle and circumstances. King Price notes that insurers treat drivers aged 18 to 25 as high-risk, and that the make and model, where the car is parked and how often it is driven all affect the premium. It pays to get insurance quotes before settling on a car.
3. Safety first
Young drivers face particular risks on South Africa’s roads. According to the RTMC, 5,842 people aged 20 to 39 died in road crashes in 2024, accounting for almost half of the country’s 12,172 road deaths. AA CEO Bobby Ramagwede urges young buyers to check safety ratings, and the AA website lists NCAP scores for many entry-level models.
4. Spotting a scam
Consumer journalist Wendy Knowler has warned that fake repossessed-car deals are spreading across Facebook Marketplace, WhatsApp and TikTok. NADA says scammers now use AI to produce realistic listings and official-looking dealerships, and even to clone voice and video messages.
Walk away if you see any of these red flags:
• A “bank repossessed” car sold on social media. NADA notes that repossessed vehicles are sold only through accredited auction houses, never through private messaging apps.
• Pressure to pay an EFT deposit to “hold” the car because other buyers are supposedly interested.
• A seller who won’t meet at a verifiable address, or who suggests an isolated meeting spot.
• Paperwork that doesn’t match the car, or a seller who isn’t the registered owner.
5. Paperwork that protects you
Before money changes hands, ask for:
• the seller’s ID, matched to the name on the registration certificate
• the vehicle registration certificate, with VIN and engine numbers that match the car
• a full service history
• a bank settlement letter if the car is still financed
• a vehicle history check confirming it has not been stolen, written off or still owes money to a bank
• a valid roadworthy certificate, which you will need to register the car
• a signed Notification of Change of Ownership form
6. Buy where you can verify
NADA advises buyers to deal with established, accredited dealerships with a physical address and a proven track record. Pashut agrees, “A first car is a big moment for a family, and it shouldn’t come with doubts about where the car came from,” he says. “Buy from a dealer who will put their name to the vehicle, show you its history and let you have it inspected. If anyone is rushing you to pay before you’ve seen the car, that’s your cue to leave.”
