{"id":861518,"date":"2026-05-30T16:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-30T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=861518"},"modified":"2026-05-29T14:00:43","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T12:00:43","slug":"most-south-africans-cant-afford-to-buy-new-cars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/motoring\/861518\/most-south-africans-cant-afford-to-buy-new-cars\/","title":{"rendered":"Most South Africans can’t afford to buy new cars"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Vehicle ownership tenure in South Africa has increased significantly, largely due to the prevailing economic difficulties faced by many households, which make purchasing a new car unattainable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A study conducted by the Automobile Association (AA) reveals that over 90% of South Africans are driven by financial constraints to extend the lifespan of their vehicles, with numerous cars remaining operational well beyond the decade mark. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, data from We Buy Cars corroborates this trend, indicating that the majority of vehicles sold are 10 years old or older.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA), a division of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), this development underscores the growing need for motorists to adopt a more proactive approach to vehicle maintenance and safety standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cModern vehicles are built to last much longer than in the past, but longevity is entirely dependent on proper maintenance,\u201d said National Chairman of MIWA Dewald Ranft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe reality is that many South Africans are delaying servicing or ignoring minor issues because of financial pressure, but postponing maintenance often leads to far more expensive repairs later on,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

International reports show that with proper care and regular servicing, modern vehicles can easily exceed 200,000 kilometres and remain reliable for over a decade. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, this reliability requires drivers to be disciplined about preventative maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere is a huge difference between \u2018keeping a car longer\u2019 and \u2018maintaining a car properly for longer\u2019,\u201d said Ranft. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Ranft, neglecting oil changes, ignoring warning lights, or delaying tire replacements might save money in the short term, but the long-term financial consequences can be significant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He suggested several points to abide by, that could enhance the lifespan of a vehicle:<\/p>\n\n\n\n