Local pricing and availability

The SQ7 and SQ8 TDI are officially available for sale in South Africa in limited numbers as part of a once-off launch opportunity. The models are priced as follows (inclusive of all taxes) and comes standard with a five year Audi Freeway Plan:

Audi SQ7 TDI quattro                              R 1,679,500

Audi SQ8 TDI quattro                               R1,848,500

Your car could be the first major financial asset that you will own and manage. Here are some handy tips that could save you money and help preserve your asset. 

Your car could be the first major financial asset that you will own and manage. As with any asset, the key to maximising its performance, longevity and saleability is ensuring that you take care of it and keep it in the best condition possible. One way is to familiarise yourself with some handy tips that could save you money and help preserve your asset. 

With July as National Savings Month drawing to a close, the focus has been on key aspects around saving and financial planning. As such, it is a good time to examine the household budget and see where savings can be made, including on your vehicle, recommends leading vehicle and asset solutions provider WesBank. Getting car insurance, a tracking device and other value-added products are great for ensuring that you maintain the value of your car. 

The freedom of movement afforded to you by having your own vehicle is unparalleled, however it is important to ensure your vehicle is well maintained

– Kutlwano Mogatusi, WesBank Motor Communication Specialist

However, on a day-to-day basis, here are a few tips that WesBank suggests you follow to assist you with managing and minimising your monthly expenditure, which could also lead to better savings.

1. While driving, use a navigation system or app with real-time traffic monitoring to avoid traffic congestion, which wastes fuel.
2. Weigh up the route options. Though it might be quicker on the highway, remember to take into account toll charges, where applicable. For intra-city travel, it could be more affordable to avoid tolled highways whereas, for inter-city journeys, tolls might be cheaper than the cost of extra fuel on back roads.
3. Clear out any unnecessary clutter in your car that could weigh it down, resulting in unnecessary and excess fuel usage.
4. Use the correct fuel grade for your vehicle model. If you are not sure, speak to your dealer for the best advice on what fuel to use to ensure optimum performance for your car.
5. Replacing worn tyres is essential for vehicle safety on the road but can be expensive and is not covered in service/maintenance plans. Ensuring your car’s wheel alignment is set correctly will prevent premature wear and tear, fueled in part by aggressive driving habits, and will positively affect your fuel consumption. 
6. Car insurance policies are like a safety net to protect your car. There are a variety of insurance policies available on the market – do your research and tailor a policy to accommodate your specific needs. Check in periodically with your insurer and negotiate lower premiums. A claim-free history will do wonders for your premium, and insurers are more likely to negotiate with low-risk clients. If your car is financed, it is important to note that having insurance is mandatory, so cancelling is not a wise (or possible) option. Also consider bundling your car and home insurance for a lower premium.
7. Check your car license disc expiry date. Keeping on top of renewal payments will minimise late renewal penalties. On the subject of penalties, it is equally important to follow the rules of the road. A traffic fine or infringement is an avoidable and unnecessary expense in your budget.

The point is not to compromise the wellbeing of your car, but to invest in the most cost-effective ways to keep it running.

– KUTLWANO MOGATUSI, WESBANK MOTOR COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST

“The point is not to compromise the wellbeing of your car, but to invest in the most cost-effective ways to keep it running at its optimum performance level. Doing so could mean more savings to your budget in the long term,” says Kutlwano Mogatusi, WesBank Motor Communication Specialist. 

“The freedom of movement afforded to you by having your own vehicle is unparalleled. However, it is important to ensure your vehicle is maintained and in the best condition to avoid incurring unnecessary costs and expenditure.”

 

Buying a car for the very first time can be extremely daunting if you don’t know how to go about it.  Fortunately, Motus Retail and Rental has compiled a list of simple questions which take the pain out of the car buying process.

Buying a new vehicle is a huge financial commitment so shopping around for the best deal is imperative. Very often pre-owned cars, even those with low mileage, can be found for quite a few Rands less than their new car equivalents, but there are a few questions you need to ask before signing on the dotted line.

Who am I buying from?

Who you buy a pre-owned vehicle from is by far the most important consideration for any car buyer.  While many websites advertise cars that are being sold by private sellers, buying a pre-owned vehicle in this manner has its risks. Vehicles sold privately or through stand-alone dealerships are largely voetstoots.

TIP: Be sure to research sellers by having a look at their website, social pages, and Google ratings.

Dealing with a national dealer group such as Motus, who owns all the vehicles that are listed for sale, affords the consumer peace of mind and recourse as well as a larger variety of vehicles to choose from.

What should I buy?

Filters on car websites help shoppers to narrow down their search according to the parameters which are important to each individual buyer.  These could include budget, model, specification, model year, or mileage. By applying filters when doing an online vehicle search, car buyers can quickly and easily create a shortlist of vehicles worth viewing in person.

TIP: The age and mileage of pre-owned vehicles will affect the price but anomalies to watch out for include cars with high mileage in comparison to their age. A good average is 20,000 – 25,000km per year.

Consumers often browse for choices online but affirm their decision from the touch and feel moment

– Corné Venter, CEO of Motus Retail & Rental SA

Is the vehicle as advertised?

Visiting the dealerships on your shortlist allows you to physically inspect the facility and the vehicle, and to ask more specific questions.

“Consumers often browse for choices online but affirm their decision from the touch and feel moment. Fortunately, when shopping with us, whatever the consumers select is exactly what they will get upon delivery,” said Corné Venter, CEO of Motus Retail & Rental SA.

Is the warranty and service plan still valid?

Warranty and service plans are time and mileage-based and expire when one of those parameters is reached.

TIP: If you are considering a vehicle without a service plan, you need to be more aware of the technical condition of the vehicle or have it checked by an independent expert.

Does the car have a full service history?

A full-service history means that the car was well maintained and this will have a direct bearing on the warranty of the vehicle.

TIP: A service history should be a serious consideration for any buyer as it can eliminate surprise costs in the future.

Has the car been in an accident?

An accident history that includes a minor bumper bashing that has been correctly repaired is nothing to worry about, however, buyers should lookout for any signs of serious damage or shoddy car repairs during the car’s life. 

TIP: An easy way to spot a repaired vehicle is via uneven body panel gaps and alignment.

Can I take it for a test drive?

A buyer should insist on taking the car for a test drive. This will allow you to get a feel for the vehicle, check that everything works as it should, and allow you to identify any apparent issues.

TIP: Turn off the radio to be able to hear any strange noises and take note if the vehicle veers to either side.

Have any major components been replaced?

If major components like the windscreen, tyres, or brakes have been recently replaced, this could save you extra money in the medium term. Conversely, if any of these items will need replacing soon, that could mean extra costs on the horizon.

TIP: Take note of the tyre tread as replacing tyres can be a costly exercise.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions, no matter how trivial you think they might be and it is better to ask than assume. Listen careful to not only what the salesman says but all how he says it and use your intuition if you are not comfortable or confident with the answers you get.. Remember that you will be ‘stuck’ with the car you settle for for a minimum of 60 months so you need to be as certain as possible about the decision you make.