Step-by-step guide to checking outstanding finance before buying a used car in SA. How First Check works, what the results mean, and what to do if finance is active.
Outstanding finance scams catch thousands of South African private vehicle buyers every year. The scenario: seller has a car on finance, sells it to you, pockets the money, and stops paying the bank. The bank then repossesses the car — from you. Not from the seller. You lose the car and the purchase price.
The solution costs R19 to R99 and takes two minutes. There is no excuse for not doing this check before any private vehicle purchase.
South African banks hold a lien over financed vehicles. This lien stays with the vehicle, not the person. If you buy a car with outstanding finance and the seller defaults, the bank has the legal right to repossess from whoever currently possesses the vehicle — that's you.
Go to firstcheck.co.za. You can search by VIN number or registration number. The check searches the NaTIS system and returns:
Do not proceed with any payment until the finance is settled. The correct process is:
Any seller who refuses to provide a settlement letter or insists on receiving the full payment before you can confirm settlement should be treated as a red flag. Walk away.
The check costs R19–R99. Run it on the registration number before you even arrange a viewing. If finance is active, you can ask the seller about it upfront rather than wasting time on a viewing.
First Check offers different report levels at different prices. The basic check (R19) covers finance and theft register. The comprehensive report (R49–R99) adds ownership history, licence status, and accident history where available. For any purchase over R80,000, the comprehensive report is worth the extra cost.
The 10 checks where SA buyers lose the most money. Print it. Take it to the viewing.