Johannesburg – WeBuyCars has cut ties with Dekra Automotive and launched its own vehicle inspection company, Inspectify, ending a five year relationship that saw Dekra provide independent vehicle condition reports to buyers across Southern Africa, including customers in Eswatini who source vehicles from South Africa.
The JSE listed used vehicle dealer confirmed this week that the decision was taken after internal reviews and growing dissatisfaction with the clarity and usability of existing inspection reports. The move comes amid increased scrutiny of vehicle condition reporting following consumer complaints lodged over the past three years.
WeBuyCars sales director Janson Ponting said the company formally replaced Dekra with Inspectify, a new subsidiary developed after executives attended the National Automobile Dealers Association show in the United States last year, where they assessed emerging vehicle evaluation technologies.
According to Ponting, the previous reports were difficult for consumers to interpret, particularly when viewed through the lens of the Consumer Protection Act. He said the new system relies on more advanced digital tools that present information in a clearer and more accessible format.
WeBuyCars began working with Dekra five years ago, but as more dealers in South Africa adopted the same service, the company opted to pursue a different route to distinguish itself in a competitive market. Significant investment has since been channelled into building Inspectify’s technology and inspection processes.
The change also coincides with the outcome of a settlement agreement between WeBuyCars and South Africa’s National Consumer Commission. In December, the NCC announced that the company agreed to pay a R2.5 million administrative fine and R3.4 million in consumer redress. The redress covers refunds to 31 consumers who had lodged complaints alleging that WeBuyCars failed to provide remedies outlined in their sale agreements.
The NCC found that certain terms and conditions relating to warranties and sales contravened provisions of the Consumer Protection Act. The settlement was referred to the National Consumer Tribunal on 3 December 2025 and confirmed on 19 December 2025.
Ponting said only a small number of the complaints involved Dekra vehicle condition reports, noting that WeBuyCars sold about 172 000 vehicles in 2024, with just 0.34 percent of transactions referred to the Motor Industry Ombud of South Africa. Of those cases, he said, most were resolved in favour of the company or settled with consumers.
On its website, WeBuyCars describes Inspectify as a next generation vehicle inspection company designed specifically for South African conditions. The company said local motorists had long relied on global reporting solutions that were not tailored to regional realities, prompting the creation of an in house alternative.
Although Inspectify is a subsidiary, WeBuyCars said it operates independently and will expand under its own management team and board. The system is locally developed to deliver consistent and detailed reports, giving buyers a fuller picture of a vehicle’s condition.
Inspectify has been certified by the Retail Motor Industry Organisation and complies with the Consumer Code of Conduct. WeBuyCars said all inspectors undergo formal training, technical assessments and ongoing quality checks, with many bringing years of experience from the automotive sector.
The transition from Dekra to Inspectify started around July last year and was implemented branch by branch. Ponting said only two smaller branches are still using Dekra, with full conversion expected this year.
While the new reports can identify panel damage that may point to prior accidents, Ponting said determining the severity of past damage remains challenging without full access to vehicle salvage databases. Inspectify reports focus on issues that affect safety and roadworthiness.
The issue of accident history transparency remains a concern across the region. In South Africa, the Motor Body Repairers Association has long called for clearer identification of written off vehicles. This led to the launch of a public vehicle salvage database by the South African Insurance Association in September 2023, though the database excludes certain categories of vehicles after insurers declined to make that information public.
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