Dear Mabs
I am in the market for a used car and I have been turned down for finance numerous times. I was listed on ITC a few years ago, but have since paid the debt. A friend introduced me to a lease-to-own car dealership in Kempton Park. They have a wide variety of cars with low mileage but I found their installments to be highly exorbitant and their ownership terms and conditions were unclear. I need the car but I also don’t want to flush money down the drain. Are these guys legal?
Mabs answers
There are a number of options for owning a car in South Africa, and the rental alternative is one of them. It has gained popularity in our market over the years. It is more common among motorists with affordability issues or those who have had problems with servicing their debts in the past.
Before you take the plunge and are driven by the desperation to have access to a car, take your time and conduct thorough research. Ask relevant questions like what do installments cover, what happens where the car has broken down, and who bears the responsibility? Once you have answers these and many more questions, you will be able to choose the option that is right for you and meets your needs. Good luck with your choice and I hope you come right.
