Know your rights before buying a vehicle
28 October 2026
For immediate release
MISA, the Motor Industry Staff Association, urges consumers to demand transparency as vehicle complaints and safety recalls come under the spotlight.
Buying a vehicle is one of the biggest financial commitments most South Africans will make. Yet many consumers unknowingly expose themselves to financial losses by failing to ask the right questions before signing a sales or finance agreement.
This is the warning from veteran consumer journalist Wendy Knowler, who recently joined MISAtv to discuss consumer protection and the challenges facing South African motorists.
Knowler, who has spent 28 years investigating consumer complaints and exposing unfair business practices, says motor vehicles generate particularly high numbers of complaints compared to other product categories.
Among the recurring problems are manipulated odometer readings, undisclosed accident damage and consumers who do not fully understand their vehicle finance agreements. Her advice is straightforward: Ask questions and insist on written answers.
Prospective buyers should establish whether a vehicle has been involved in a safety recall, investigate its safety record and confirm when its warranty commenced, whether it remains valid and what could invalidate it.
Importantly, consumers should retain written correspondence with dealerships. Emails and WhatsApp messages can become crucial evidence when disputes arise.
According to Knowler, vehicle recalls should inspire confidence, not fear. With the National Consumer Commission recording more than 50 vehicle recalls this year, Knowler believes South Africans need to reconsider their perceptions of recalls.
“We should be grateful that we see more recalls because it means there is greater transparency,” she says. Recalls indicate that safety defects have been identified and corrective action is being taken at no cost to vehicle owners.
However, Knowler questions whether all manufacturers are participating equally in the recall process, particularly as Chinese vehicle brands gain market share while featuring relatively infrequently on recall lists.
Financial fraud remains a serious concern. Knowler also warned that criminals increasingly impersonate bank officials to manipulate consumers into authorising fraudulent transactions.
“Initiate the call. Never trust a caller who claims to be from your bank,” she advises.
MISA encourages members to educate themselves about their consumer rights, remain vigilant against fraud and never hesitate to question suspicious transactions or misleading information.
Martlé Keyter, MISA’s Chief Executive Officer: Operations, says consumer awareness is essential to protecting workers and their families.
Watch Wendy Knowler’s full interview on MISAtv: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNNl4UYWx8c
Issued by Sonja Carstens, Manager of MISA’s Media & Communication Department, on behalf of the Union.
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