We Buy Cars hit with R2.5 million fine over consumer rights breaches

Zuko Komisa

We Buy Cars was fined R2.5 million and ordered to refund R3.4 million to 31 customers following an NCC probe into consumer rights violations.
The retailer committed to revising sales contracts, launching an awareness programme, and creating 300 new jobs as part of the legal settlement.
The ruling underscores heightened regulatory scrutiny in a surging pre-owned market where sales grew 16.4% in 2025 due to economic pressures.

South Africa’s National Consumer Tribunal has slapped the prominent used vehicle retailer, We Buy Cars, with a R2.5 million fine following a series of breaches of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA).

The ruling follows an exhaustive three-year investigation by the National Consumer Commission (NCC), which uncovered unlawful clauses in sales contracts and warranty terms that unfairly restricted the rights of buyers.

Alongside the penalty, the company has been ordered to pay more than R3.4 million in refunds to 31 affected customers.

As part of a settlement to conclude the probe, the marketplace giant has committed to a comprehensive overhaul of its business practices.

Despite these legal challenges, We Buy Cars remains a powerhouse of the South African economy, reporting a record-breaking R26.37 billion in revenue for 2025.

The company continues to be a major employer, pledging to create 300 new jobs as it expands its national footprint.

Their commitment to community growth is further evidenced by high-profile sponsorships, such as their partnership with the Riverside Hockey Club for the 2025 Rhino-Turf Elite Club Challenge, reinforcing their standing as a brand that invests heavily in local grassroots development.