When you get to someone’s house and it’s time to make a decision about buying their used vehicle, how can you be sure you’re getting a good car? These are some of your questions about this process, and Cartrack is here to help you with informed answers.
The registration certificate (RC1) is the most important paperwork you should get, because this is proof that the private seller is the legal owner of the car. You should also get a “yellow form” from your local licensing department. This needs to be filled in by both you and the seller and then taken back to the licensing department for processing. You should also get a settlement letter if the car is still owed by the bank (not paid off yet).
Some of the biggest mistakes first-time used car buyers make are:
The best way to purchase a vehicle from a private seller is to do your due diligence in affirming vehicle ownership and making the transfer. You can do this by checking the authenticity of the RC1 and confirming whether the car is owned by the seller or the bank.
The disadvantages of buying a repossessed car are:
The silent killer in a used car refers to a damaged cambelt. If this vital mechanical component is in bad condition and it snaps while you’re driving, your engine could seize or get severely damaged while you’re travelling at a high speed, causing an accident.
The hardest colours of car to sell are purple, brown and gold. These are less-than-desirable colours for most people on the lookout for a car due to subjectivity and because of how much the car stands out among others. Bear in mind, though, that cars which don’t blend in easily are less likely to be stolen.
If you’re buying a car from a private owner and they don’t have papers, it’s worth considering moving on and looking elsewhere. A car that doesn’t have an RC1 could be stolen and probably hasn’t been taken well care of. With no yellow form, you’re taking a big risk in buying that car because the ownership transfer won’t be legally recognised.
If you’ve already completed the yellow form for your newly purchased car, you have 21 days to get the ownership transfer processed at a licensing department. This should preferably be done BEFORE any money is exchanged. The next step is to get a Roadworthy Certificate (RWC) to ensure the condition of the car is safe to drive.
It’s a wise move to get a tracking device installed if the car doesn’t already have one. If it does, make sure you transfer ownership of the device at the tracking service provider. At Cartrack we make this process very simple: just call 011 250 3000, and we’ll walk you through the steps.
Cartrack’s tracking and stolen vehicle recovery service starts at R99 per month, and the installation of the device is FREE for consumers! We’d also recommend getting a backup tracking device known as the Cartrack Tag, which will help us track your vehicle in the event of signal jamming.
Yes, Cartrack has a convenient app that couples with your tracking device to give you helpful information. You can also add tracking-related services to the app that further secure your vehicle and provide driver information for improving your road habits and safety.
The “best” car tracking device in South Africa depends on your personal needs and preferences, but Cartrack is a keen favourite among many motorists. That’s because we have a proven track record of our dedication to getting your vehicle back. We also have a high service rating on HelloPeter.
