Fix or Sell a Non-Running Car in South Africa - Practical Decision Guide

Overview

Owning a non-running car raises the same question for many South African owners: invest time and money to repair it, or sell it as-is and move on? This guide explains the key factors to weigh - cost, time, paperwork and resale value - with South Africa-specific notes on towing, deregistration and vehicles under finance. If you prefer a fast sale, our online process collects vehicle details and photos and returns a transparent competitive cash offer; see the homepage for more about how that works.

When to Consider Repairing vs Selling

Deciding whether to repair or sell depends on the car's market value, the estimated repair cost, how long you can be without a vehicle, and non-financial factors like sentimental value. Below are practical criteria to help you decide.

Key considerations

• Repair cost vs current market value: if repairs exceed a substantial portion of the car’s pre-fault market value, selling is often the better option.
• Time and convenience: long repair lead times or difficulty sourcing parts favour selling, especially for older models.
• Vehicle history and resale prospects: a repaired car may carry salvage history that reduces buyer interest and value.
• Finance and legal obligations: cars under finance require settlement or lender consent before transfer.

Repair cost vs value retained

Damage types vs typical offer impact

For owners ready to sell without repair, our simple online form for non-running vehicles speeds up the process; see the Sell Non-Running Car page for details on what information helps get a transparent competitive cash offer.

How the Process Works When You Sell As-Is

Selling a non-running car to a specialist buyer is straightforward. Typical steps include submitting vehicle details and photos, receiving a condition-based offer, arranging free towing, and completing paperwork. If you want to learn more about the company process and experience, check the How it works page.

Step-by-step

1. Provide make, model, year, mileage and clear photos (interior, exterior, engine bay and damage areas).
2. Receive an obligation-free competitive cash offer based on condition and market demand.
3. If you accept, schedule collection - many buyers include free nationwide towing (Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and surrounds).
4. Complete transfer paperwork; payment is released after collection and verification.

Legal & Paperwork in South Africa

Legal steps differ depending on whether the car is registered, written off or under finance. Common points to check:

• Finance: if the vehicle has an outstanding balance, the lender must usually be settled or consent to the sale; buyers often assist with liaising with the finance house.
• Deregistration/transfer: a buyer handling purchase-as-is will typically assist with transfer or deregistration to remove future liability.
• Accident reports: if applicable, keep a copy of the police or insurer report for records.

Specialist buyers frequently include assistance with administrative steps to reduce your burden; for more on selling damaged cars and the paperwork taken care of, visit the Sell Damaged Cars page.

Tips to Maximise Your Offer

• Photos: provide clear, well-lit photos from multiple angles and close-ups of mechanical labels, chassis numbers and damage.
• Honesty: full disclosure of issues avoids delays at collection and speeds payment verification.
• Documentation: gather service records, keys, owner’s manual and proof of ID/vehicle registration to simplify transfer.
• Compare options: get more than one condition-based offer if time allows; specialist buyers can differ in how they value salvage and parts demand.

What Happens After Collection

After collection the buyer typically handles final paperwork and deregistration or transfer. Payment is verified and released according to the agreed terms. For cars under finance, settlement or lender instructions are followed before final transfer. Expect an administrative handover that clears title and reduces your future liability.

Practical SA examples

Example scenarios (illustrative): a 2010 family sedan with a seized gearbox and an estimated R25,000 repair would likely be better sold to a specialist buyer, while a 2018 hatch with a R6,000 starter motor fault could be worth repairing if it restores most of the car's market value. These are examples only; real decisions should compare local repair quotes and buyer offers.

Sources

• South African Department of Transport - official information on vehicle registration and road rules
• NAAMSA - market context and vehicle industry statistics for South Africa
• South African Police Service - guidance on accident reporting and records

Decide by comparing reliable local repair estimates and competitive cash offers for non-running vehicles. If you prefer a fast sale with free nationwide towing and paperwork assistance, specialist buyers provide a convenient alternative to lengthy repairs.