Buy a Car
Navigate every financial aspect of buying and owning a vehicle — from affordability to total cost of ownership.
Budget Planner
Confirm you have room in your budget for a vehicle repayment.
EasyEquitiesCar Affordability Checker
Find out how much vehicle finance you can comfortably service.
WesBankCar Finance Calculator
Model your monthly repayment with balloon, deposit, and interest options.
WesBankFuel Cost Estimator
Calculate your monthly fuel spend based on distance and consumption.
Car Maintenance Estimator
Budget for services, tyres, and unplanned repairs over time.
HippoTotal Ownership Cost Estimator
Compare running costs, fuel, and insurance across two vehicles to confirm your choice.
Vehicle Depreciation Calculator
See how quickly a vehicle loses value and what it's worth at resale.
Petrol vs Diesel vs Hybrid vs EV
Compare total cost of ownership across all four fuel types over your ownership period.
Your numbers carry forward automatically between stages. No re-entering required.
Buying a Car in South Africa: The Full Cost Picture
South Africans routinely underestimate what a vehicle actually costs to own. The monthly finance repayment is only one part of the equation. Fuel, insurance, maintenance, licensing, and depreciation combine to make the true monthly cost of ownership significantly higher than the instalment alone. This journey helps you see the complete picture before you sign.
What the NCA Says About Car Finance
Under the National Credit Act, the maximum balloon payment on a vehicle finance agreement is 30% of the vehicle purchase price. Balloon payments reduce your monthly instalment but leave a large lump sum due at the end of the term — a lump sum most buyers are not financially prepared for. The Car Finance Calculator in this journey shows you the true cost comparison with and without a balloon payment side by side.
Insurance Is Not Optional
If you finance a vehicle, your lender requires comprehensive insurance from the day you drive off the lot. This is not negotiable. Budget for insurance before you determine what vehicle price you can afford — not after. For a R350,000 vehicle, comprehensive insurance typically costs between R900 and R1,800 per month depending on your profile, the vehicle, and your excess choice.
Depreciation: The Hidden Cost
A new vehicle loses approximately 15–20% of its value in the first year and up to 50% over three years. If you financed R400,000 over 72 months with a 30% balloon, you may find at the end of the term that your vehicle is worth less than the balloon amount you owe. The Vehicle Depreciation Calculator in this journey, coming soon, models this risk so you can structure your finance accordingly.
WesBank and MFC: SA's Largest Vehicle Finance Providers
WesBank and MFC (Nedbank) are the two largest vehicle finance providers in South Africa, collectively financing the majority of new and used vehicle purchases. Both offer competitive rates and quick approvals. Once you complete the Car Finance stage in this journey, the CTA links take you directly to their application pages.