The picturesque province of the Western Cape offers amazing diversity. On one end you have beautiful mountain ranges and vistas that will leave you in awe while on the other side, a bustling style hub set to the backdrop of the ocean. Not too far from this, you have the wilderness of the Karoo, as breathtaking as it is stark. It may only be the third most populous province in the country but that doesn't stop it from being the one that we all envy.
Related: 5 Things You Need To Know When Buying Used Cars For Sale In Cape Town
Hunting for a used vehicle in the province will most likely see you targeting the more populated areas and while that's a fair consideration, it may be worth your while to cast your net a little further out.
Buying a used car in the Western Cape
Vehicles that were initially sold in Cape Town and surrounding areas will have spent all of their life in the coastal air, subjected to the wetter weather that the peninsula of South Africa presents. These vehicles may be more prone to rust, especially to the unguarded undersides or to areas that have had their protective coatings worn away. The one benefit of vehicles from the CBD and surrounds is that they may have lower mileage thanks to the proximity of all the key points and destinations.
If you're looking at something a little older and the prospect of rust scares you, you may want to consider a vehicle that comes from the outlying regions and Karoo area as these vehicles have not been subjected to the same coastal air and the dryer climate will have looked after the metals considerably better. Vehicles from these outlying areas most probably served a life of long-distance travel, meaning that the kilometres that have been posted have been quality kilometres. It's the stop-start of city driving that can prematurely wear a vehicle out.
The concentration of vehicles in the Cape Town region may offer you competitive pricing but the value is to be had by casting your search area a little wider.
How to search for cars in the Western Cape
AutoTrader allows you to filter by province, so if you select the Western Cape, you will only be shown listings in the Western Cape. Just click on the location button to find and select your province from the dropdown menu. You can also select search for only used cars, search by colour, body shape, mileage, fuel type, and more.
Click here to view all used cars for sale in the Western Cape, on AutoTrader
Top tips for buying used cars - in all provinces
1. Stick to your budget
Car costs involve more than monthly repayments. You also have to factor in fuel and insurance costs. Even if you buy an extended warranty/service plan, remember that wear-and-tear items like brake pads are usually not included.
Trading in? Find out what your car is worth first. Click here to get a free valuation for your car's trade value.
How much can I afford each month? Find out here by using our car finance calculator.
2. Do your research
By research, we mean the car in question as well as the dealership. Google is your friend! You should be able to find some reviews online of the dealership in question. Social media platforms such as Facebook may also be of help. You can also check the dealership's Facebook page and find out from friends and family which dealerships have given them good service in the past even before you start looking.
3. Don't get pressured into a deal if you don't feel comfortable
If the salesperson seems just a little too eager, and it all just doesn't feel right, don't feel bad if you decide to go home and sleep on it or if you call the whole thing off. Buying a car is a massive decision and a serious commitment. If you buy a lemon, you're either going to be stuck with this costly mistake, it or you will sell it at a loss.
4. Walk away from cars with no service history
Or, if it's patchy, don't take the risk. If vehicles have an RMI-approved dealership history, this is acceptable.
5. Test drive first, then have a vehicle check done
Test drives should last for at least 15 minutes to allow the car to warm up - if the sales associate keeps the route or time spent behind the wheel shorter than this, don't be embarrassed to ask why.
Related: Tips for taking a test drive
If you're serious about the car in question, ask for the car to be sent to a vehicle inspection service centre that will take a closer look and provide a report on the car's inner workings. You can also write down the car's VIN number and do a vehicle check right here on AutoTrader.
