WeBuyCars expands data and inspection systems amid shifts in South Africa’s used-car market

Vehicle retailer strengthens pricing models and digital inspection capabilities as competition increases and market conditions shift

WeBuyCars CEO Faan van der Walt.

WeBuyCars, a South Africa-based used-vehicle retailer operating both physical “supermarket” locations and digital sales channels, is increasing its focus on data systems, pricing models and inspection processes as competition intensifies in the automotive sector. The move comes as lower-cost vehicle imports from Chinese manufacturers continue to reshape demand patterns in the country’s new and used-car markets.

According to reporting from ITWeb Africa, the company has been strengthening its internal technology stack to improve how vehicles are inspected, valued and priced at the point of purchase. The approach is closely tied to its proprietary inspection platform, Inspectify, which has been progressively deployed across its national network of vehicle supermarkets over the past months.

WeBuyCars CEO Faan van der Walt said the platform replaces a previously outsourced inspection model and is designed to consolidate vehicle condition data internally. “Inspectify feeds a richer and more accurate dataset directly into the group’s pricing models, enabling more precise vehicle valuations at the point of purchase, a capability that management believes will meaningfully improve margins over time,” the company says.

Inspectify operates through trained inspection teams, standardized evaluation procedures and audited processes intended to produce consistent vehicle condition records. These inputs are then used within pricing systems that determine acquisition and resale values. The company states that the system is intended to support both internal decision-making and consumer-facing information at the time of purchase.

In parallel, WeBuyCars has introduced digital tools that extend beyond inspection. The platform now includes a conversational interface that allows customers to ask usage-based questions about vehicles, including estimated running costs. “For example, you can ask a question like driving from this address to that address to go to work every day, how much fuel will I need?” Van der Walt said.

Behind these consumer-facing tools, the company has also been deploying automated systems and analytics models to support pricing decisions and operational workflows. Van der Walt said the company uses advanced datasets within its data warehouse environment and applies external models, including Anthropic’s Claude, to support internal agents used in decision processes.

The company has been expanding its physical footprint alongside its digital systems, increasing storage capacity for vehicles and opening additional retail locations across South Africa. It continues to operate in a market where pricing pressure has increased due to rising competition from new vehicle brands and changing consumer preferences.

WeBuyCars also reported financial results for the six months ended 31 March, with revenue increasing by 7.8% to R14.2 billion, while headline earnings declined by 1.6% to R500.1 million. The company attributed margin pressure partly to investment in infrastructure, new locations and technology systems, as well as broader pricing dynamics in the used-vehicle sector.

Despite short-term pressure, the company has continued to invest in expansion and digital infrastructure, including a 49% stake acquisition in the GoBid auction platform, which focuses on accident-damaged and non-running vehicles. The investment extends its presence across different segments of the vehicle resale ecosystem and adds another digital channel for inventory flow.

Van der Walt said the objective is to simplify the decision process for buyers by consolidating vehicle condition, cost and usage data into a more structured evaluation framework. The company also reported an interim dividend increase to 33 cents per share, compared with 30 cents in the previous year.