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Best Used Bakkies Under R250,000 in Johannesburg

Writer: salescarsfs
salescarsfs
Sep 26
5 min read

A bakkie is one of the hardest-working things you can own in South Africa. It carries the tools on Monday, the kids on Saturday, and the camping gear to the coast in December. The good news is that you don't need R500,000 to get a solid one. If your budget is R250,000 or less, there's plenty of choice, from workhorse single cabs to double cabs that can double as the family car.

Bakkies make up a big part of the CARS FS showroom on Louis Botha Avenue in Highlands North, so we see what people in Johannesburg are actually shopping for. Below is a short list of bakkies in stock right now at R250,000 or less, what each one is best for, and what to check before you sign.

Which type of bakkie do you actually need?

Before you look at makes and models, decide on the body style. It makes the biggest difference to how the bakkie fits your life.

  • Single cab: two seats and the longest load bin. The best pick if the bakkie is mainly for work, deliveries or a small business.

  • Extra cab (also called super cab): a little space behind the front seats for bags, tools or the odd short trip with a passenger. A good middle ground.

  • Double cab: four doors and a proper back seat, with a shorter load bin. The one to get if the bakkie is also your family car.

  • 4x2 or 4x4: most city and highway driving is fine in a 4x2. Go 4x4 if you regularly drive on farm roads, sand, mud or steep gravel, or tow heavy loads off-road.

Also think about manual or automatic. An auto is easier in Johannesburg traffic on the M1 or Louis Botha itself, while many buyers still prefer a manual for work bakkies.

Used bakkies under R250,000 in stock at CARS FS

These are real cars from the CARS FS showroom, with the price listed on each car's page when this guide was published (checked 26 Sep 2026). Click through for photos and full details.

Best for work: single cabs

  • 2020 Toyota Hilux 2.4GD Single Cab – R244,999. 63,000 km, full service history, manual, diesel. The Hilux is one of South Africa's best-known bakkie names, and the 2.4GD single cab is the no-nonsense work version.

  • 2019 Isuzu KB250 Single Cab 4x2 – R199,999. 90,000 km, full service history, manual, diesel. The Isuzu KB has a long history in South Africa as a dependable workhorse.

  • 2025 Foton Tunland G7 Single Cab 4x2 – R189,999. 10,000 km, full service history, manual, diesel. A very recent, low-mileage bakkie for under R190,000, if you're open to a newer brand.

Best all-rounders: extra cab and double cab

Best on a tight budget: half-ton

  • 2017 Nissan NP200 1.6 – R109,999. 105,000 km, manual, petrol. A small, light bakkie for lighter loads and city errands, at just over R100,000.

Stock moves quickly, so if one of these has sold, ask us what's come in. We post new arrivals on TikTok at @carsfs.southafric, and you can browse everything in the CARS FS showroom.

What to check on any used bakkie

A bakkie often works harder than a car, so take a few extra minutes when you view one:

  1. Service history. A full service history (FSH) shows the bakkie was serviced on schedule. Ask to see the service book or records.

  2. Mileage against age. Work bakkies can build up kilometres fast. High mileage isn't a deal-breaker if the servicing has been done, but it should match the price.

  3. The load bin. Some dents and scratches are normal. Look for rust, cracks or signs of very heavy loads.

  4. Clutch and gearbox. On a manual, the clutch should bite smoothly without slipping. On an automatic, gear changes should be smooth.

  5. 4x4 system. If it's a 4x4, ask to see it engage.

  6. Tyres and suspension. Uneven tyre wear or a bakkie that sits low at the back can point to hard use.

  7. Test drive. Drive it on the kind of roads you use every day. Bring your driver's licence.

Buying a bakkie on finance

Most people buy a bakkie on vehicle finance rather than cash. In South Africa, the lender will run a credit check and an affordability assessment, as the National Credit Act requires, before approving you. You'll usually need your ID, driver's licence, recent payslips, bank statements and proof of address.

A deposit lowers the amount you borrow, so your monthly instalment is lower. A balloon payment also lowers the instalment, but it leaves a lump sum to pay at the end of the agreement. Remember to budget for comprehensive insurance, since lenders require it on a financed vehicle, plus fuel and services.

You can start your application on our finance page. It has personal and business application forms, and lists the extra documents that self-employed buyers and companies need.

Frequently asked questions

Is a single cab or double cab better value? It depends on how you'll use it. For the same budget, a single cab is often newer or has lower mileage, and it has a longer load bin. A double cab gives you a usable back seat. If the bakkie will also be your family car, go double cab.

Should I buy a diesel or petrol bakkie? Most bakkies in this price range are diesel, which suits long distances and carrying or towing loads. A small petrol bakkie like the NP200 can make sense if you mostly drive short trips around town with light loads.

Can I buy a used bakkie on finance at CARS FS? Yes, you can apply for vehicle finance through our finance page. Approval depends on the lender's credit check and affordability assessment.

Where is CARS FS? We're at 471 Louis Botha Avenue, Highlands North, Johannesburg 2192. It's worth calling or sending a WhatsApp before you visit to confirm the bakkie you want is still available.

Ready to find your car?

Or visit CARS FS at 471 Louis Botha Avenue, Highlands North, Johannesburg 2192. Browse all our stock in the CARS FS showroom.

 
 
 

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