One of South Africa’s largest pre-owned vehicle sellers, We Buy Cars (Pty) Ltd, has been ordered to pay a R2.5 million administrative fine and refund a total of R3,419,971.83 to 31 affected consumers following a settlement agreement with the National Consumer Commission (NCC).
The agreement, which became a binding consent order after confirmation by the National Consumer Tribunal on 19 December 2025, resolves a three-year investigation into complaints that the company’s sale agreements and warranty terms contravened key provisions of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA).
The NCC received numerous complaints over the past three years from customers alleging that WeBuyCars failed to provide adequate remedies for defective vehicles as promised in their sale contracts. Investigators found that certain clauses — particularly those related to warranties and terms of sale — unlawfully limited consumers’ rights to redress.
Acting NCC Commissioner Hardin Ratshisusu welcomed the outcome, stating: “This settlement concludes investigations against We Buy Cars on contraventions of the CPA. We Buy Cars has agreed to review and amend terms and conditions to ensure full compliance with the CPA, a measure that will ensure consumer rights are fully protected. Consumers that were affected by the conduct will, as part of this settlement, receive redress.”
Key terms of the settlement include:
- Payment of an administrative fine of R2.5 million, to be settled in instalments: R1 million by 31 December 2025, R1 million by 30 June 2026, and R500,000 by 31 December 2026.
- Full refunds totalling R3,419,971.83 to the 31 complainants, with individual amounts ranging from approximately R2,267 to R649,169.
- Revision of all terms and conditions in sale agreements to align fully with the CPA.
- Launch of a consumer education and awareness programme focused on rights and obligations when purchasing pre-owned vehicles.
- Creation of up to 300 additional job opportunities over the next five years (beyond existing plans) to boost customer service capacity and improve the overall consumer experience.
WeBuyCars, which sells around 15,000 vehicles monthly and reported revenue of R26.3 billion for the six months to September 2025, confirmed the settlement in a statement and emphasised its commitment to customer satisfaction and ongoing compliance.
The case underscores the NCC’s focus on enforcing consumer protections in the motor vehicle industry, reminding buyers of their rights under the CPA when purchasing second-hand cars.
If you’ve experienced similar issues with a vehicle purchase, consumers are encouraged to contact the National Consumer Commission for assistance.