Guides
Straight answers on car finance, depreciation and resale value in South Africa. No jargon, no sales pitch.
The Total Cost of Owning a Car in South Africa (Beyond the Instalment)
The total cost of car ownership in South Africa adds insurance, fuel, tyres, servicing, licensing and depreciation to your instalment. See the real number.
01 Jul 2026Residual vs Balloon Payment: What's the Difference in SA Car Finance?
Residual vs balloon payment in South Africa: the same deferred lump sum under two names, and how it affects ownership, interest and your final lump sum.
01 Jul 2026Is a Balloon Payment Worth It? Pros, Cons and When It Actually Makes Sense
Is a balloon payment worth it in South Africa? A clear decision framework showing who benefits, who ends up in negative equity, and how to run your own numbers.
01 Jul 2026How to Settle Your Car Loan Early in South Africa (Without Penalties)
How to settle a car loan early in South Africa: getting a settlement quote, the NCA penalty rules, and whether a balloon changes the maths. General guidance with worked examples you can run yourself.
01 Jul 2026How to Get the Best Car Finance Deal in South Africa in 2026
How to get the best car finance deal in South Africa: get pre-approved, gather three quotes, fix your credit score, and negotiate your margin over prime down.
01 Jul 2026How Much Deposit Do You Need for a Car in South Africa?
How your car deposit in South Africa changes your instalment and total interest — a 10% vs 20% vs 40% comparison on a R350,000 car, with free calculators.
01 Jul 2026How Much Car Can I Afford in South Africa? The 20% Rule Explained
How much car can I afford in South Africa? Use the 20%-of-income rule against real 2026 salary bands and instalment tables to find your true car budget in Rand.
01 Jul 2026How Extra Payments Slash Your Car Loan (and Interest) in South Africa
Extra payments on a car loan in South Africa cut months and thousands off the total, because SA finance uses simple interest. See the maths and a calculator.
01 Jul 2026Car Loan Interest Rates in South Africa 2026: What's a Good Rate?
Car loan interest rates in South Africa are prime-linked, averaging near 11.75% in 2026. Here's why 2% above prime is a fair new-car rate, with Rand examples.
01 Jul 2026Car Finance in South Africa: The Complete Guide to Getting Approved
The complete guide to car finance in South Africa: ITC checks, affordability, deposits, interest rates and residual vs balloon — how to get approved in 2026.
01 Jul 2026Cash vs Finance: Is It Cheaper to Buy a Car Outright in SA?
Should you buy your car cash or finance it in South Africa? We weigh interest saved against the opportunity cost of your cash — with real Rand numbers.
01 Jul 2026Bank vs Dealership Car Finance in South Africa: Which Is Cheaper?
Bank vs dealership car finance in South Africa compared: how the dealer's F&I commission works, and why a bank pre-approval is your best negotiating tool.
01 Jul 2026