10 Best Used Cars Under R100,000 in South Africa — 2026
10 Best Used Cars Under R100,000 in South Africa
Not everyone can spend R300,000 on a car. If your budget is under R100,000, you can still find reliable, fuel-efficient vehicles in South Africa. Here are our top 10 picks.
1. Volkswagen Polo Vivo (2012–2016)
Price range: R60,000 – R95,000
The Polo Vivo is South Africa's favourite hatchback for good reason. The 1.4 engine is peppy, parts are cheap, and it's fun to drive.
Why buy it: Excellent resale value, cheap to maintain, widely available
2. Toyota Etios (2014–2018)
Price range: R70,000 – R99,000
Built specifically for developing markets, the Etios is Toyota reliability at its most affordable. The 1.5 petrol is efficient and durable.
Why buy it: Toyota reliability, low running costs, good fuel economy
3. Hyundai Grand i10 (2014–2017)
Price range: R65,000 – R95,000
A surprisingly spacious and well-equipped little car. The Grand i10 offers features you wouldn't expect at this price point.
Why buy it: Feature-rich, comfortable, good warranty support
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4. Kia Picanto (2013–2017)
Price range: R55,000 – R90,000
The Picanto is one of the cheapest cars to own in South Africa. Insurance, fuel, and service costs are minimal.
Why buy it: Lowest total cost of ownership in its class
5. Nissan Micra (2013–2017)
Price range: R50,000 – R85,000
The Micra is basic but dependable. The 1.2 engine is frugal, and Nissan parts are readily available across SA.
Why buy it: Very affordable, good fuel economy, easy to find
6. Chevrolet Spark (2013–2017)
Price range: R40,000 – R75,000
Despite Chevrolet leaving SA, parts are still available and the Spark remains one of the cheapest cars on the used market.
Why buy it: Lowest prices in segment, adequate for city commuting
7. Ford Figo (2013–2017)
Price range: R55,000 – R85,000
The Figo is Ford's entry-level offering and delivers surprising value. The 1.4 Ambiente is a solid daily driver.
Why buy it: Good build quality, comfortable ride, affordable
8. Suzuki Swift (2012–2016)
Price range: R65,000 – R95,000
The Swift is the driver's choice in this segment. It's light, nimble, and genuinely fun to drive while being very reliable.
Why buy it: Fun to drive, reliable, great fuel economy
9. Renault Sandero (2014–2018)
Price range: R55,000 – R90,000
The Sandero offers the most space for money in this price range. The Stepway version adds raised ride height and rugged styling.
Why buy it: Most space in segment, raised ride height available
10. Datsun Go (2014–2020)
Price range: R45,000 – R80,000
Backed by Nissan's engineering, the Datsun Go is ultra-affordable and practical. Running costs are among the lowest of any car in SA.
Why buy it: Ultra-affordable, Nissan-backed reliability, low running costs
Tips for Buying Under R100k
1. Prioritise reliability over features — A reliable car saves you more than a feature-rich one that breaks down 2. Get a pre-purchase inspection — Even more important at this price range 3. Check insurance costs first — Some cars are cheaper to insure than others 4. Budget for tyres — A set of 4 tyres costs R3,000–R6,000 5. Avoid high-mileage German cars — BMWs and Audis under R100k usually come with expensive problems