We Buy Cars ZA: R2.5m Fine & Consumer Redress for Compliance Issues

• We Buy Cars agreed to pay R2.5 million in fines and R3.4 million in consumer redress.
• The settlement addresses long-standing complaints from consumers who felt that We Buy Cars had failed to provide remedies for sale agreements signed between the supplier and the consumer.
• We Buy Cars has agreed to review and amend its terms and conditions to ensure full compliance with the Consumer Protection Act (CPA).
• The National Consumer Tribunal confirmed the settlement agreement on 19 December 2025, making it a consent order in terms of Section 74(1) of the CPA.
• Consumers who were affected by We Buy Cars' conduct will receive redress as part of this settlement.

This settlement concludes investigations against We Buy Cars on contraventions of the CPA. We Buy Cars, amongst other commitments, has agreed to review and amend terms and conditions to ensure full compliance with the CPA, a measure that will ensure consumer rights are fully protected.

We Buy Cars (Pty) Ltd, a South African used car dealership, has agreed to pay R2.5 million in fines and R3.4 million in consumer redress as part of a settlement with the National Consumer Commission (NCC). The agreement was confirmed by the National Consumer Tribunal on 19 December 2025, following constructive engagement between the parties. This consent order is significant because it addresses long-standing complaints from consumers who felt that We Buy Cars had failed to provide remedies for sale agreements signed between the supplier and the consumer. In particular, the NCC found that We Buy Cars' terms and conditions contravened several provisions of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA). The settlement marks a major step towards strengthening consumer protection and enhancing service delivery in the industry.

The National Consumer Tribunal's decision is based on Section 74(1) of the Consumer Protection Act, which allows for consent orders to be made when parties agree to settle disputes. The NCC had been investigating complaints from consumers who felt that We Buy Cars' terms and conditions were unfair and contravened several provisions of the CPA. In particular, the NCC found that We Buy Cars had failed to provide remedies for sale agreements signed between the supplier and the consumer. This failure was deemed a contravention of the CPA, which aims to protect consumers from unfair business practices. The settlement agreement requires We Buy Cars to review and amend its terms and conditions to ensure full compliance with the CPA.

The settlement between We Buy Cars and the NCC is significant because it highlights the importance of consumer protection in South Africa. The Consumer Protection Act aims to protect consumers from unfair business practices, including those related to warranty and terms of sale. By agreeing to review and amend its terms and conditions, We Buy Cars has taken a major step towards ensuring that its business practices are fair and compliant with the law. This decision serves as a reminder to all businesses in South Africa to prioritize consumer protection and ensure that their practices are transparent and fair.

Lawyers advising clients who have purchased from We Buy Cars should review the terms and conditions of their sale agreements to ensure they comply with the Consumer Protection Act, as the company has agreed to review and amend its terms and conditions following this settlement.

Source: Original reporting via National Consumer Commission (NCC)