Paying a monthly fee for an extended car warranty feels expensive until you have to pay out a lump sum for a major repair.

Ah, the joys of car ownership: the wind in your hair, the open road, the gentle purr of the engine... until, of course, it all goes horribly wrong. A blinking light, a rattling sound that just won't go away and – bham! You're left with a hefty bill for repairs. And that, friends, is why you should always take out a Service Plan.

From budget-friendly city runabouts to family-focused, school-run and pavement-hopping SUVs, there are many car brands that offer buyers value for money and lower-than-average fuel consumption. Let's take a look at the most fuel-efficient cars South Africa has to offer.

At last, the Right2Repair guidelines put you in the driver's seat when it comes to choosing who services your car, and how much you're willing to pay for it – because why should car manufacturers be making decisions for you?

Vehicle financing with a balloon payment is an attractive option, but remember that you'll still have to pay the piper at the end of your term!

The state of your tyres plays a major role in your car's roadworthiness and safety. When was the last time you checked them?

Walk to work? Buy a bike? You'll need better ideas than those if your budget is going to survive the sky-rocketing fuel price. Here are some suggestions.

It's hard to find a car (new or used) at a good price right now. So why not stick with your current vehicle and buy an extended Motor Warranty to prolong its lifespan?

South Africa has a serious driver's licence backlog. What could an expired licence mean for you and your insurance cover?

Is your car proudly made in South Africa? There's a wealth of car-building expertise in our Republic, with plants manufacturing marques like Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, VW, Mahindra and more.

Over the course of the past decade, Porsche has claimed the South African Car of the Year (Coty) title four times. 2020's winner was the Jaguar I-PACE, which costs about the same as a two-bedroom apartment in northern Joburg. Much like the glory days of Top Gear, you'd be forgiven for thinking that SA's Coty jurors had become... what's a nice way of saying this?... out of touch.

It's a simple question... but the answer's pretty complicated. Here's a look at your options.

Looking to buy a second-had car? Here's how to make sure the deal isn't too good to be true.

Buying your very own first car is a big deal, so before you take the leap, think about how it's going to hit your pocket. Read on to find out how to finance your first car and what to budget for.

A seismic shift occurred in the South African car market at the end of 2020, as the Competition Commission released new regulations concerning vehicle servicing and maintenance. Informally known as the Right to Repair, it permits car owners to use any service provider and non-original parts to maintain their vehicles – without losing their manufacturer warranty.

Are you a good candidate for a vehicle-finance deal that includes a final large – and potentially eye-popping – sum of money due at its conclusion, or should you rather avoid it? Read on before you jump into it.

The cost of running a car isn’t simply the price of your monthly instalment – there’s plenty more to consider.

You’re working from home, spending a lot less time in traffic, and not driving nearly as much as you used to. Yet this might be the best time to buy a new car.

The time has come for you to renew your driver’s licence and you’re probably already dreading dealing with all the administration. Don’t be! Our quick guide to renewing your driver’s licence will help you get it done in no time.

If you own a car, you may have noted that you didn’t get a reminder notice this year about renewing your licence. Have you checked on your windscreen for when your licence expires? Unfortunately, AARTO (Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences) is currently not sending these notices out, which may mean that many people have either forgotten to renew them or may not know how to do it…

A car tracker is a small device that when installed in your vehicle, makes a big difference – to your safety, your budget, your insurance premiums and your chances of recovering your vehicle if it's stolen.

If you've found the car you love but it's too expensive, you're not alone. Most people don't have enough cash available to buy a car outright, which is why they turn to car financing.

Buying a car is a big financial commitment and figuring out how you're going to pay for it beforehand is the best way to make sure you stay within your budget. If you want to buy a car and are looking for ways to save on the monthly repayments, you might be considering a balloon payment or residual value loan.

When thinking about popular cars, vehicles like the Volkswagen Polo and the Toyota Etios probably come to mind. While these vehicles do regularly top local sales charts, they’re not among the top five best-selling cars of all time.

There are thousands of vehicles on the market today, each offering their own unique approach to a segment. All of them are great in their own way, but only a select few have managed to change the course of automotive history.

Tesla Motors unveiled their latest development in autonomous vehicle engineering at their Tesla Autonomous Day event on April 22 in Palo Alto, California. Tesla CEO and South African born billionaire Elon Musk took the opportunity to woo Tesla investors with the new FSD Computer Assembly hardware, the chip that Elon Musk says makes the Tesla the only financially viable option for consumers and ready to ship.

Joining a car owners’ club can have several benefits, including access to service guides, more affordable parts, and being part of a community. Some owners’ clubs also offer advanced driving courses and training, which could get you a preferential car insurance quote.

Hey, Gautenger! Did you take a road trip to Cape Town over the holidays? Did you stop at any of these gems on your way? If not, read on to find out why these four towns are well worth a visit on your next road trip.

The future is electric! We’ve been hearing that sentiment for quite some time. Despite the impracticalities around charging them, hefty price tags, and possibly even higher car insurance premiums, electric vehicles are finally coming into realisation. Companies are frantically playing catch-up with Tesla, but will they ever get there?

Your car is one of the most important items you can insure, so it’s a good idea to regularly check that you’re covered correctly. That’s what Car Insurance Day is for. Think about it – when last did you read through your policy to make sure it was up to date? If, say, your child has just started learning to drive, you’d likely need to tell your insurer to update the regular drivers on your policy; if you don’t, an accident claim could be rejected.

Buying a car is exciting. Once you’ve made up your mind to get some new wheels, you suddenly take an interest in cars you hardly noticed before. You wonder what they’re like to drive, what colour looks best, do I need mags or a decent sound system?

If you’ve ever had to insure a car, you’ve probably been asked if you’d like to cover it for its retail, market or trade-in value.

Toyota South Africa is firmly on top of the automotive pedestal. Outselling other vehicle manufacturers regularly, it’s considered to be a go-to brand for many drivers. Few brands have a grip on the automotive market quite like Toyota does in South Africa, and this has helped the company build an extensive customer base that’s loyal to them.

For years, Volkswagen (VW) has been at the forefront of South African automotive brands. Loved for their affordability, durability, and styling, VW is arguably a true part of South African culture.

After a prolonged uncertainty about the Road Accident Benefit Scheme (RABS) and concerns about how it will be funded, the Treasury announced that it will finance RABS, according to a recent IOL report.

While you may be very happy with your two-door set of wheels, if you’re planning on starting a family or are about to expand, it may be time to upgrade to a family car. Once the baby is here you’ll need a car that can take the child seat, pram and the toys. To help you make the right selection, here are some favourites for a family car in South Africa.

You’ve probably heard that most accidents happen around the corner from where a driver lives, however, several studies show you run the maximum risk of being involved in an accident if you drive on certain days and times. Researchers from North-West University (NWU) ran the stats on fatal car accidents to figure out the periods when drivers are most vulnerable to fatal car accidents on South African roads, and what type of car accidents are most common.

When thinking about car write-offs, an image that often comes to mind is a mangled wreck destined for a scrap yard. While extensive damages are often enough to warrant the car being written off as ‘beyond repair,’ in many instances the car is just not worth repairing even though it still looks to be in decent condition.

Considering the high cost of owning a car, many motorists pinch every penny they spend on it and may even start looking at saving a few extra bucks on their Car Insurance. While there are a variety of ways insurance companies allow a discount on their premium, not all drivers play fair.

Poor road conditions can make driving a real challenge for motorists and can even result in vehicle damage or an accident. Potholes - a common sign that a road is deteriorating– are widespread throughout South Africa; according to the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA), 48% of the city’s roads have been identified as being in “poor” or “very poor” state while a poll by Wheels24 also ranks East London, Durban and Bloemfontein’s roads below top standard.