You can buy salvage cars in South Africa that have been damaged in an accident. They are sometimes available direct from an insurance company. Although more often cars with damage are for sale at auctions or from private owners and at scrap yards. If you are looking to purchase a vehicle to repair and sell or keep for yourself then buying a damaged car may save you some money.
Where Can I Buy Salvage Cars in South Africa?
You can buy damaged cars in South Africa from these main area’s:
- Johannesburg (Gauteng)
- Pretoria (Gauteng)
- Centurion (Gauteng)
- Durban (Natal)
- Port Elizabeth (Eastern Cape)
- Bloemfontein (Free State)
- Kimberly (Free State)
- Cape Town (Western Cape)
Bank repossession auctions are a popular place to buy a damaged vehicle. You can view the makes and models of vehicles available at an online auction. So you can see the damage of a car and decide if you think it’s repairable.
This may also interest you: ABSA Bank Repossessed Cars and Vehicles
You can place bids and buy accident vehicles from the online car auctions taking place in South Africa.
One such place having daily sales of salvage cars in South Africa is SMD. Their website allows you to view different makes and models of vehicles that have some damage. Take a look at their website here: https://www.smd.co.za/
Buy Salvage Cars from South Africa Insurance Companies
Occasionally in South Africa you can buy a car that has been salvaged by an insurance company.
This can save you some money. Because there are no auctioneer fees to pay or extra commission that you may have to pay a dealer for selling you the vehicle.
Damaged vehicles are often recovered from insurance companies such as:
- OUTsurance
- MiWay
- Santam
- DialDirect
- Discovery
- First For Women
However these car insurance companies don’t always sell the cars with damage direct to the public. Often they will be bought by dealerships or be put up for auction at regular events in the country.
So you can contact a few of them to see where they are selling vehicles that have been written off. Or in an accident and have some damage.
Damaged Cars For Sale in South Africa by Private Owners
Another way to save money is to buy a car with damage directly from the owner. Because this also cuts out any commission or fees you may have to pay otherwise.
This might also be of interest to you: Damaged Cars For Sale in Johannesburg
In addition buying a vehicle from the owner gives you a chance to negotiate on price. So it’s possible to pay a lot less than you may have.
Take a look at the cars categories on classified websites such as Gumtree. Because these are popular sites offering vehicles for sale that have some accident damage.
Occasionally you will find wrecked supercars for sale such as a Porsche, Ferrari or Lamborghini.
If you can, make sure you view any vehicle that may interest you in person. Never part with any cash before you have been to meet the seller and making sure the car they are selling is what you saw in the advert.
Scrap Yards in South Africa
Another good idea is to visit the scrap yards in South Africa for damaged cars.
Scrap yard dealers sometimes buy vehicles from insurance companies and from bank repossession auctions. Then they either sell the damaged car as it is for a profit or they break it up and sell off the parts separately.
However, again the disadvantage of buying salvage cars through a third party is you will pay more. Because obviously scrap yard dealerships also need to make a profit.
Visit the various scrap yard dealers in your area to see what salvaged cars are available to purchase.
Five Benefits of Buying Salvage Cars in South Africa
1. Cost Efficiency: One of the best benefits of buying salvage cars is the cost savings. These vehicles are typically priced significantly lower than their market value counterparts due to their damaged condition.
For those willing to invest time and effort into restoration, this presents an opportunity to buy a vehicle at a fraction of the cost.
2. Customization Potential: Salvage cars provide enthusiasts with a blank canvas for customization. Whether it’s restoring a vintage model to its former glory or transforming a modern wreck into a unique masterpiece, salvage cars offer endless possibilities for personalization.
With the right skills and resources, buyers can tailor the vehicle to their exact preferences and specifications.
3. Learning Experience: For DIY enthusiasts and aspiring mechanics, purchasing a salvage car can serve as a good learning experience. From diagnosing issues to performing repairs, working on a salvage vehicle provides hands-on education that can enhance automotive knowledge and skills.
Moreover, overcoming the challenges of restoration fosters problem-solving abilities and resourcefulness.
4. Profit Potential: While not without risks, buying salvage cars can be a venture for those with an eye for opportunity. After restoring the vehicle to roadworthy condition, owners can either enjoy the fruits of their labor or sell the car for a profit.
With careful research and strategic decision-making, flipping salvage cars can turn into a profitable side hustle or even a full-fledged business.
5. Access to Rare Models: Salvage cars often include rare or discontinued models that may be challenging to find elsewhere. For collectors and enthusiasts seeking elusive vehicles, salvage yards can be a treasure trove of hidden gems waiting to be discovered.
Whether it’s a classic car with historical significance or a limited-production model, salvaged vehicles offer a chance to own something truly unique.
To Summarize
In summary we have learnt that you have a few options on where to buy salvage cars in South Africa.
Therefore research is key here. Your first port of call should be to take a look at the online car auctions. Then follow that by checking out the classified sites we mention.
After that you can find out if any of the well known insurance companies have damaged vehicles direct to the public. Finally you can find out what scrap yards are in your area and it may be a good idea to visit those.
So follow the tips and you will see there are a variety of accident damaged vehicles for sale in South Africa. Some of which you can repair easily.