What car can I afford on my salary?
Start from your take-home pay, not your gross salary, and compare it with the all-in monthly cost: payment, insurance, tracker, service and licence. On YeboAuto's guide range, a take-home of about R15,000 is where an all-in car (Suzuki Swift, about R7,780 a month) starts to fit. Below that, a delivery bike is the realistic option.
Start with your take-home pay
Banks and rent-to-own providers look at what lands in your account each month, after tax, UIF and pension. That is the number to use. If you are self-employed, use your average monthly turnover after business costs, from 6 months of bank statements.
Next, work out the all-in cost of the car. A car is never just the instalment:
- The weekly or monthly payment
- Comprehensive insurance
- A tracker (most insurers require one)
- Services and tyres
- Licence and registration
Every YeboAuto price already includes insurance, tracker, service plan and licence, so you can compare it straight against your take-home pay. Fuel is the only big cost on top.
What fits your salary (all-in, per month)
Our pre-qualification check works with a guide range of 38% to 52% of take-home pay for an all-in car payment. The final answer always depends on your other debts and costs, which we go through with you.
| Take-home pay | All-in car budget (guide) | YeboAuto vehicles that fit |
|---|---|---|
| R9,000 | R3,420 – R4,680 | Delivery bikes (from about R3,030 a month) |
| R12,000 | R4,560 – R6,240 | Delivery bikes |
| R15,000 | R5,700 – R7,800 | Suzuki Swift 1.2 (about R7,780) |
| R18,000 | R6,840 – R9,360 | Suzuki Swift, VW Polo Vivo (about R8,020) |
| R22,000 | R8,360 – R11,440 | Suzuki Swift, VW Polo Vivo |
| R25,000 | R9,500 – R13,000 | Swift, Polo Vivo, Toyota Hilux bakkie (about R11,480) |
Monthly figures are the weekly amount × 52 ÷ 12. The Swift is R1,795 a week, the Polo Vivo R1,850 and the Hilux R2,650, each over 48 months with a fixed R5,000 option to buy at the end. See every car’s full price on cars and bakkies.
If you drive for Uber or Bolt
E-hailing drivers are assessed on weekly fares instead of a salary. Our guide range is 30% to 40% of weekly fares before commission and fuel. For a Toyota Vitz at R2,695 a week, that means fares of roughly R6,740 to R8,980 a week. Use the earnings calculator to see what you keep, or read cars for Uber and Bolt drivers.
Ways to make a car fit
- Pick a longer term. A longer term lowers the weekly amount, but the total you pay goes up. Each car page shows every term side by side.
- Pick a cheaper-to-run car. The Suzuki Swift is our lowest weekly car.
- Clear a small debt first. One store card paid off can free up enough room.
- Start with a bike. If you earn from deliveries, a delivery bike costs from R699 a week.
Before you sign anything, ask for the full price over the whole term. Our contract checklist lists what to check, and rent to own vs vehicle finance explains when the bank is cheaper. Have a set budget in mind? Browse cars under R8,000 a month.
Questions drivers ask
Should I use my gross or net salary?
Your net (take-home) pay. That is the money that actually lands in your account, and it is what a provider looks at on your bank statements.
Why is the YeboAuto range higher than a normal car instalment?
Because our weekly amount already includes comprehensive insurance, a tracker, a service plan and licence. With bank finance you pay those on top of the instalment.
What is the minimum salary for a YeboAuto car?
You can apply with a take-home pay from R9,000 a month (or average turnover from R15,000 if you are self-employed). Whether a specific car fits depends on your full budget, which we check before you sign.
Will checking what I can afford hurt my credit score?
No. Our 60-second check gives an indicative range only. An affordability check, which may include a credit check, happens with your consent before any agreement.