If you need to transport people and things often, few cars are as practical as multi-seat MPVs or “people movers”. This article focuses on used MPVs available in the market for under R500k. What should you buy? Let’s find out!
Multi-seat multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) are hugely popular for a variety of reasons — they are widely used as taxis and serve as passenger shuttles for the tourism industry, as well as small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) or as practical family vehicles.
Also see: Buyer’s Guide: Multi-Seater MPVs
There is no shortage of variety in this segment and, depending on your needs, you can opt for a basic, modestly equipped vehicle or you can splash out and buy something more luxurious.
The price cap for this article is R500 000 to ensure that the choices include used MPVs that are still fairly new with lower mileage (1-3 years old), some with warranties and service plans intact, as well as older options which are suitable for buyers on a tighter budget.
With new car prices on the rise and the cost of living increasing rapidly, many potential buyers are turning to the used car market in search of value. A major benefit of buying a used car is that you avoid the brunt of depreciation. A new car loses between 9% and 11% of its value the moment it’s driven off the showroom floor and up to 40% of the car’s value is lost in the first 12 months of ownership, according to a report published by the AA.
Therefore, buying a used car between 2 and 5 years old is a smart financial choice, provided that you acquire a good used car at the right price.
Let’s take a look at what the used car market has to offer if you’re considering buying a used multi-seat MPV people mover for under R500k.
What To Buy: Used MPVs in South Africa Under R500k
Toyota Hiace Ses’fikile and Quantum
Let’s start with the “backbone of South Africa’s public transport system”, the Toyota Hiace. The Hiace Ses’fikile is produced locally at Toyota’s Prospecton manufacturing facility in Durban and, while new Hiace Ses’Fikile pricing starts from R543 900, buyers have plenty of choice across a broad price range in the used car market that will satisfy most budgets.
With the arrival of the new 6th generation Quantum in 2019, Toyota revived the outgoing iteration to wear the HiAce moniker and equipped it with the firm’s proven 2.5-litre turbodiesel (with 75 kW and 260 Nm) paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. A 111 kW/241 Nm 2.7-litre petrol engine is also available. The HiAce is available as a 14-seater, which is standard or in 16-seater HiAce Ses’fikile guise.
For those seeking higher levels of comfort and specification, the Japanese-built Toyota Quantum is worth a closer look. The Quantum makes use of a 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine with either 115 kW or 130 kW and 420 Nm and can be had with either a manual or automatic transmission.
The Quantum is offered as a Panel Van, Crew Cab and People Mover, the latter of which can carry either 6, 9, 11 or 14 passengers, depending on your needs.
Buy a low-mileage Toyota HiAce / Quantum Ses’Fikile on Cars.co.za
Mercedes-Benz Vito and V-Class
The Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer is the Three-pointed Star’s entry-level people-moving solution (it’s also offered as a Panel Van and a CrewCab). Power comes from a 4-cylinder turbodiesel: a 1.6-litre unit with 84 kW and 270 Nm of torque or a 2.0-litre unit with outputs of either 100 kW/380 Nm (Vito 114), 120 kW/380 Nm (Vito 116) or the range-topping Vito 119 with 140 kW/440 Nm.
There are numerous low-mileage used Mercedes-Benz Vito for sale on Cars.co.za for under R500k! Also consider the older Mercedes-Benz Viano.
Buy a low-mileage Mercedes-Benz Vito on Cars.co.za for under R500k
If you want a luxuriously equipped MPV, consider the Mercedes-Benz V-Class, albeit at a premium price point. The V-Class is powered by a 2.0-litre turbodiesel paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission, which produces 120 kW/380 Nm (V220d), 140 kW/440 Nm (V250d) or 174 kW/550 Nm (V300d).
Buy a Mercedes-Benz V-Class on Cars.co.za
Hyundai H1 and Staria
The Hyundai H1, which was replaced by the Staria model in 2021, was hugely popular in its heyday and still represents excellent value as a used buy. There are still low-mileage used H1s for sale on Cars.co.za!
The H1 can be had with a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine with 125 kW/441 Nm and a 5-speed automatic transmission or a 2.4-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine with 136 kW/224 Nm and a 5-speed manual transmission. In our opinion, the turbodiesel H1 is the one to have!
Buy a low-mileage Hyundai H1 on Cars.co.za
The Staria is a thoroughly modern people-moving solution from the Korean firm and is available as a Panel Van, MultiCab or a 9- or 11-seater. A 2.2-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel powers the Staria range. The motor produces 130 kW/430 Nm and is mated with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Like the aforementioned Mercedes-Benz V-Class, there aren’t many used examples below R500k yet so you will have to up your budget to over R500k if you want to drive off in a Staria.
Read our review of the Hyundai Staria
Buy a used Hyundai Staria on Cars.co.za!
Volkswagen Kombi and Caravelle
Volkswagen has a long history of moving people – Kombi, especially, is part of the automotive lexicon.
The latest generation Kombi and Caravelle (T6.1) arrived locally in 2021 and the models are powered by a trio of 2.0-litre turbodiesel engines with outputs of 81 kW, 110 kW and 146 kW respectively. Note that the powertrain options and outputs vary for previous iterations of the popular Kombi bus.
There are a few used Kombis with mileages under 100 000 km for sale under R500k. Even examples of the T5-generation Kombi are well worth considering.
Buy a used Volkswagen Kombi on Cars.co.za for under R500k
The higher-specification Volkswagen Caravelle is powered by a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder bi-turbodiesel engine that offers peak outputs of 146 kW and 450 Nm of torque, but used stock is currently limited – which means that you will have to increase your budget to drive the latest Caravelle. However, if you are prepared to settle for previous iterations of the Caravelle, you may well find a gem for under R500k!
Read our Volkswagen Caravelle Review
Read our review of the VW California Coast
Buy a used Volkswagen Caravelle on Cars.co.za
Ford Tourneo
The Ford Tourneo Custom range was updated back in 2020, which saw the introduction of a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine offering 96 kW and 385 Nm in Trend guise or 136 kW and 415 Nm in range-topping Limited trim and comes paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Ford’s familiar 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine with either 74 kW or 92 kW is also available in conjunction with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The good news is that several low-mileage used Ford Tourneo Customs are for sale on Cars.co.za for under R500k!
Read our review of the Ford Tourneo Custom
Buy a low-mileage Ford Tourneo Custom for under R500k on Cars.co.za
Other used Multi-Seat MPVs to consider above R500k?
Kia Carnival
The Kia Carnival is a stylish family car that can seat either 7 or 8 passengers. It is powered by a 2.2-litre turbodiesel motor that produces 148 kW/440 Nm and is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Considering that the Carnival came to market in 2022 and with new pricing starting above R900k, you will have to set at least R650k aside to drive off in a used example. Of course, as time passes and the model ages, more stock will filter into the used car market.
Buy a used Kia Carnival on Cars.co.za
Opel Zafira Life
The Opel Zafira Life came to market as recently as 2022, hence the absence of used examples listed for under R500k. The Zafira is strictly a 7-seater and powered by Opel’s 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine that puts out 110 kW and 370 Nm and is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Used stock of the Zafira is fairly limited as this model isn’t a major player in this segment locally, but you could drive off in a used, low-mileage Zafira from around R600k.
