CompareGuru | Compare Insurance Quotes OnlineCompare Insurance, Car Insurance Quotes, Funeral Cover Quotes, Life Insurance Quotes, MotorVAPS Quotes, Budget Insurance, Insurance Quotes, CompareGuru, South Africa.
Car and Household
Commercial Insurance
Funeral
Medical
Pet Insurance
Wills
Car Insurance
Cover your vehicle
More Information
Get Quote
Home Insurance
Cover your home and everything in it
More Information
Get Quote
Commercial Vehicle Insurance
Protect vehicles and drivers used in the day-to-day operation of your business against risks like financial loss, damage or personal injury.
More Information
Get Quote
Commercial Insurance
Provide cover against common risks and disruptions to business operations, such as theft, damage to property, employee / client injury and much more.
More Information
Get Quote
Directors and Officers Liability
Safeguard your business and key players from financial loss with the right policy.
More Information
Get Quote
Errors and Omissions Liability
Covers your business and employees against claims of negligence, poor workmanship, and more.
More Information
Get Quote
Funeral
Protect your family financially and cover funeral expenses
More Information
Get Quote
Gap Cover
Cover yourself for unexpected medical costs
More Information
Get Quote
Health Insurance
Protect your family with affordable basic medical cover
More Information
Get Quote
Pet Insurance
Protect the whole family including your fur babies.
More Information
Get Quote
Apply For A Will
Get a Will drafted and cover the costs of dying.
More Information
Start Application
Menu
Home
About Us
Life Insurance Quote
Car Insurance Quote
Funeral Insurance Quote
Gap Cover Quote
Health Insurance Quote
Pet Insurance Quote
Extended Warranty Quote
Pre-Owned Warranty Quote
Scratch and Dent Quote
Tyre And Rim Quote
Apply For a Will
News Room
Meet The Team
Careers
Providers
Insurance
Car Insurance
Building Insurance
Household Contents Insurance
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
Serious Illness Insurance
All Risk Insurance
Funeral Insurance
Gap Cover
Health Insurance
MotorVAPS Cover
Commercial Insurance
Commercial Vehicle Insurance
Directors and Officers Liability Insurance
Errors and Omissions Liability Insurance
Money
Support
Contact Us
Terms of Service
Privacy Policy
Disclosures
Client Letter
POPI Act
CIM Policy
Complaint Escalation
TCF Form

News Room

5 Factors To Consider When Choosing A New Car

As the second biggest investment you’ll make during your lifetime, buying a car needs to be a well-thought-out plan. Other than the obvious aspect of price, here are five crucial factors to consider when choosing a car.

Generally speaking, the biggest investment you’ll ever make is in your home, and buying the perfect property. The second, of course, is buying a car. It stands to reason, then, that you'll want to invest in a vehicle that will offer a good return in value, is affordable to maintain, reliable, safe, and brings a smile to your face. 

So, without further ado, here are five crucial factors (other than the obvious aspect of price) to consider when choosing the right car.

While You're Here: Why Do People Give Their Car A Name?

1. Resale Value Of The Car

South Africans are generally in the habit of hanging on to their cars for a long time. We drive it until the wheels come off. 

But, some people will still buy a new car every 5 to 10 years, and if so, it's definitely worth considering the resale value of whichever vehicle you choose to get, because new cars can depreciate by up to 60% of the original purchase price in only five years. 

It's also worth noting that the original purchase price of a hybrid car may be higher than that of your traditional petrol or diesel variety, but the resale value of that car will also be far better. 

Of course, this isn't the only contributing factor to a car's resale value. Others inclue the brand, the history of reliabilty, current fuel efficiency, mileagea, aesthetic or performance add-ons and upgrades, the age and level of wear and tear on the car, and, naturally, whether or not you've chosen to purchase the car through private sale or a car dealership.

2. Safety Features And Add-Ons

Before beginning the search of your new car, you may find it helpful to create a checklist of all the essentials you really want in a good vehicle, and rank them by importance. 

This checklist should probably include vital safety features such as airbags, seat belts, anti-lock braking systems, etc. and even a few nice-to-haves, like a sunroof or fog lights or whatever else may tickle your fancy. What you choose put on this checklist is entirely up to you, and it should consist of what you deem crucial or non-negotiable.

It helps to do thorough research on vehicles that are renowned for safety, or that have gained notoriety as unreliable death-traps, before beginning your search. This way, you know exactly what to avoid, and what to look for.   

In terms of bells and whistles, you could consider adding body kits and other add-ons, but seeing as these mostly come in packages from the dealers, it’s worth considering whether or not you’ll actually be utilizing each and every feature. 

3. Consider Fuel Efficiency

With the price of fuel as volatile and ludicrous as it is these days, it may be worth opting for a fuel-efficient car as opposed to a high-performance, petrol-guzzling road-warrior. 

It’s also worth noting that with increased efforts the world-over, the motoring realm’s future certainly seems a lot greener. More and more people are turning toward hybrid or electric vehicles these days, and if this is something that you’re interested in, it’s absolutely crucial to do your research. Many parts of South Africa still lack the infrastructure to fully support a nation of hybrid motorists, and if your car is dependent on electricity in a country without a whole lot of that to go around these days, well…  

First Car? Here's A Complete Guide To First-Time Insurance For The First-Time Driver

4. Insurance

Once you outright own a car in South Africa, it isn’t mandatory to get car insurance. With over 70% of the drivers on our roads completely uninsured, and with the rate of road accidents as staggeringly high as it is, however, it’s wise to have the most basic form of car insurance, at minimum. 

Third Party Insurance, a legal requirement in many other countries, for instance, will protect both you and other drivers from financial liability. 

With that in mind, you have to take the following into account:

  • The higher the value of your car, the higher your premiums will be. This is because it costs a whole lot more to repair or replace it.
  • Insuring a newer car will also be more expensive than insuring an older car, because the market value is higher.
  • The make, model and engine capacity of the car also affect the cost of the premiums, and so does the age and experience of the driver, among many other things such as where the car is stored – street or garage, for instance – and the area you live in. 

These are things worth considering when shopping for a new vehicle. Thorough research, or speaking to a knowledgeable insurance Guru, will give you a far better idea of which cars cost more to insure, and why. 

5. Warranty and Maintenance Plan

Having your car completely break down on you isn’t only inconvenient, but could also be incredibly costly. Without a warranty or the right insurance in place, repairs could easily run into the thousands, which you’ll have to pay out of pocket. 

Now, most new cars will come with a warranty plan, which generally expire after 3 years / 60 000km or 5 years / 100 000km. When shopping for a used car, however, looking for one with the balance of the warranty intact is always a smart move. 

(Take note of what is included and excluded in that warranty, as several expensive components may not be covered). 

Whether you’re buying a new car or a used (not very old) car, always keep an eye out for one with a dealership-approved maintenance plan. By keeping the maintenance up-to-date with the car’s brand dealership, you’ll also increase the resale value – proving that the vehicle has been well-loved and well-looked-after. 

Compare With The Guru, And You'll Never Have To Deal With An Insurance Company Ever Again!

CompareGuru knows what's good. You'll never need another insurance comparison tool again!

Sign up to our newsletter to stay up-to-date on our latest tips on how to get the best out of your insurance, what insurance really means and how to avoid any pitfalls along the way.

CompareGuru has you covered.