Group1 Cars Blog - News, Reviews and Interesting Car Facts
Group1 Cars Blog

Group1 Cars Blog

News, Reviews and Interesting Facts on all Cars


Understanding The New Value Of Used Cars In South Africa

Posted by on 30 Sep 2026 under Blog, Car Buying Tips, Car Reviews

How to Find Value in South Africa's Used Car Market Today

How to Find Value in South Africa’s Used Car Market Today

If you last shopped for a car five or six years ago, today’s used prices may come as a shock. A budget that once gave you a long shortlist might now call for a fresh look at models, mileage and monthly costs.


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Buying A Used Hybrid In South Africa: What You Need To Know

Posted by on 08 Sep 2026 under Car Buying Tips, Car Model History, Car Reviews

Buying A Used Hybrid In South Africa

Buying A Used Hybrid In South Africa: What You Need To Know

Hybrid vehicles are becoming increasingly common, with more manufacturers offering models that combine petrol power with electric technology. As these vehicles become more established on local roads, more are also finding their way onto the used car market, meaning that more consumers are purchasing them.

For buyers, this creates an interesting opportunity. A used hybrid could offer the fuel-efficiency benefits of hybrid technology without the price tag of a brand-new vehicle.


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Chinese Cars And Resale Value: What South African Buyers Need To Know

Posted by on 25 Aug 2026 under Blog, Car Buying Tips, General

Chinese Cars And Resale Value: What South African Buyers Need To Know

Chinese Cars And Resale Value: What South African Buyers Need To Know

For years, one of the biggest questions surrounding Chinese cars in South Africa has been simple: what will your car be worth when you eventually sell it?

Chinese car brands have transformed the local automotive market. Competitive pricing, generous specifications and increasingly sophisticated technology have made them an attractive alternative to established manufacturers.

But while buyers can see what they get for their money when they purchase a new Chinese vehicle, there has been much less certainty about what happens three years later.


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Understanding Car Safety Ratings In South Africa

Posted by on 06 Aug 2026 under Blog

Understanding Car Safety Ratings In South Africa

Understanding Car Safety Ratings In South Africa

Buying a car is one of the biggest financial decisions most South Africans will make, and safety deserves to be part of that conversation. Recent comments from the Automobile Association (AA), which suggested motorists should regard a three-star safety rating as a sensible minimum when shopping for a new vehicle, have encouraged many buyers to take a closer look at car safety ratings in South Africa.


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The Used Car Sweet Spot Has Changed: Why 3-Year-Old Used Cars Make More Sense Than Ever

Posted by on 29 Jul 2026 under Blog

The Used Car Sweet Spot Has Changed: Why 3-Year-Old Used Cars Make More Sense Than Ever

The Used Car Sweet Spot Has Changed: Why 3-Year-Old Used Cars Make More Sense Than Ever

For years, buying a brand-new vehicle was seen as the obvious choice if your budget allowed it. After all, who wouldn’t want the latest technology, a full factory warranty and that unmistakable new-car feeling? Today’s South African used car market tells a different story.


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What Your Daily Commute Says About The Car You Should Be Driving

Posted by on 09 Jul 2026 under Car Buying Tips

How To Choose The Right Car For Your Daily Commute In South Africa

How To Choose The Right Car For Your Daily Commute In South Africa

You spend hundreds of hours behind the wheel every year, but have you ever stopped to ask whether your car actually suits the way you drive every day?

It’s easy to shop for a car based on looks, price or a vague plan to “do more road trips”. But the smartest way of choosing the right car is to start with your real life: your commute, your passengers, your parking situation, your budget and the roads you drive most often.

The best car for commuting in South Africa isn’t the biggest or newest one. It’s the one that makes everyday driving easier, more comfortable and more affordable.


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The Features South Africans Thought Were Luxury 10 Years Ago (But Now Expect In Every Car)

Posted by on 29 Jun 2026 under Car Buying Tips

The Features South Africans Thought Were Luxury 10 Years Ago (But Now Expect In Every Car)

The Features South Africans Thought Were Luxury 10 Years Ago (But Now Expect In Every Car)

Remember when a reverse camera felt like something you’d only find on a top-spec SUV? Or when a touchscreen in the dashboard was enough to nudge your car into ‘fancy’ territory? Not that long ago, features like keyless entry, cruise control and smartphone connectivity were reserved for premium models with premium price tags.


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Mileage vs Ownership History: What Really Determines A Used Car’s Value?

Posted by on 10 Jun 2026 under Blog

The Most Overlooked Factor When Buying a Used Car: Previous Ownership

The Most Overlooked Factor When Buying a Used Car: Previous Ownership

When buying a second-hand car, focusing almost exclusively on mileage, age, and price can be misleading. A vehicle’s previous ownership and maintenance history often reveal far more about its condition, reliability, and long-term value.


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Why The Budget Second Car Is Making A Comeback In SA

Posted by on 26 May 2026 under Car Buying Tips

Why The Budget Second Car Is Making A Comeback In SA

Why The Budget Second Car Is Making A Comeback In SA

It’s 07:20 AM on a Tuesday. Your partner needs to be at the office in Sandton for a critical morning meeting. Meanwhile, the kids need to be dropped off at school in Bryanston, and you have an early client presentation across town. You have one household car, a mountain of logistics, and a ticking clock.

Sound familiar? For a while, many South African families tried to push through this daily friction. We relied on complex carpooling schedules, worked remotely when possible, or watched our monthly budgets take a massive hit from the rising costs of ride-hailing services.


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Are Diesel Cars Still Worth It in South Africa in 2026?

Posted by on 14 May 2026 under Blog, Car Buying Tips

Are Diesel Cars Still Worth It in SA in 2026?

Are Diesel Cars Still Worth It in SA in 2026?

Rising fuel prices have South Africans thinking carefully about every kilometre they drive. Whether you’re commuting across Gauteng, towing a caravan down to the Garden Route or simply trying to stretch your monthly fuel budget a little further, ownership costs matter more than ever. That’s one reason why diesel cars in South Africa remain such a hot topic in 2026.


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