Car Affordability Calculator
A car is one of the fastest ways to wreck your budget in South Africa — not because of the repayment alone, but because of everything that comes with it. The smart guideline is to keep your car repayment under 15% of your gross monthly income, and total car costs under 25%.
What different salaries can afford
| Gross income | 15% repayment | Approx car price (72mo) |
|---|---|---|
| R20,000 | R3,000 | ~R155,000 |
| R30,000 | R4,500 | ~R230,000 |
| R45,000 | R6,750 | ~R350,000 |
| R60,000 | R9,000 | ~R465,000 |
Work out your own numbers in seconds:
Calculate your car budget →The costs beyond the repayment
- Insurance — R800–R3,000+/month depending on the car and your area
- Fuel — easily R2,000–R4,000/month
- Services & tyres — budget R1,000+/month set aside
- Licensing — annual renewal
Add it up and a R4,500 repayment can become R8,000+ in true monthly cost. That is why the 25% total rule matters more than the repayment rule alone.
Beware the balloon payment
Dealers love balloon payments because they lower the monthly figure — but you owe a large lump sum at the end, and you pay interest on it the whole time. A balloon makes a car look affordable when it is not. Use our car affordability calculator with the balloon field to see the real picture.
Buy used to save
A new car loses 20–30% of its value in the first two years. Buying a well-maintained used car a few years old gets you far more for your money and dodges the steepest depreciation. Check your overall budget with the budget planner before committing.