Congratulations, you passed the K53. Don't rush the car purchase.
Set the budget
- Under R60,000: older cars, possibly with issues. Be ready for maintenance.
- R60,000 – R120,000: good first-car territory. Polo, i20, Picanto, Swift, Yaris.
- R120,000+: low-km options, possibly with some warranty left.
Before you pay anything
- Test drive. Drive it on multiple road types, highway, suburbs, hill.
- Independent pre-purchase inspection. R500-R1,000 at any reputable workshop. Catches engine, gearbox, electrical issues.
- VIN check. Use TransUnion or MyCar.co.za to confirm not stolen, not on finance, not previously written off.
- Documents. NaTIS document (the registration form), valid licence disc, roadworthy certificate (current).
Red flags
- Seller can't show the NaTIS doc
- Roadworthy issued same day you visited
- VIN plate replaced or scratched
- Multiple previous owners in last 3 years
- Mileage that doesn't match service records
The transfer
Change of ownership at any vehicle-licensing office. Take the NaTIS doc, both IDs, current registration certificate, roadworthy, and the fee (around R150).
Before you drive, make sure you are covered. Read our new driver insurance guide.
Frequently asked
- What's the cheapest first car?
- Realistic minimum for a roadworthy car: around R45,000 for an older Polo, Picanto or Swift with low km.
- Do I need a roadworthy?
- Yes, for any change of ownership, the car must have a current roadworthy certificate.
Just passed your learner's?
Once you pass your driver's test you'll need insurance before you drive off the lot. Naked Insurance gives new drivers a live quote in under two minutes.
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Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge as of May 2026. Road traffic laws, DLTC procedures, and fee schedules can change — verify critical requirements with your DLTC or the RTMC (rtmc.co.za) before your test.