Before you buy a used car, check its code and history. It can save you from a stolen, rebuilt or clocked vehicle.
Updated 26 September 2026 · Tracker Prices South Africa
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Code 1 | New, first owner. |
| Code 2 | Used. The vehicle has changed owner. It may still have had private accident repairs. |
| Code 3 | Built-up: written off (for example after an accident, hail or flood), rebuilt, police-cleared and roadworthy-tested. Usually worth much less and harder to finance and insure. |
| Code 4 | Permanently demolished. May not be put back on the road. |
Number plates show where a vehicle is registered, for example GP for Gauteng. Gauteng has introduced a new plate design with security features such as QR codes and tamper-evident markings to fight plate cloning; check with your licensing office whether and when you need to change plates.
Popular used cars are also the most stolen. See trackers by car model and ask your insurer which trackers they require.
A vehicle that was written off, then rebuilt, police-cleared and passed a roadworthy test.
SAPS does not offer a public online VIN lookup. Use a paid vehicle history report, or ask to meet the seller at a police station.
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