Datsun Go — Price, Faults & Buyer's Guide
Everything you need to know before buying a used Datsun Go in South Africa — pricing by mileage, known faults, a buyer's inspection checklist, maintenance schedule and real owner feedback.
Low Purchase PriceFuel EfficientBasic SpecManual Only
6.8
Fair Value
Budget-friendly compact hatchback with acceptable reliability and low running costs, but limited power and spartan interior limit appeal for 2024 buyers.
Est. Retail
R155k–R180k
Est. Trade
R120k–R145k
Annual Sales (SA)
~8,500
5yr Depreciation
68%
Datsun Go price in South Africa by mileageMedium confidence
| Mileage band | Trade-in estimate | Retail estimate |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 20,000 km km | Est. R106k–R154k | Est. R129k–R177k |
| 20,001 – 40,000 km km | Est. R94k–R137k | Est. R115k–R158k |
| 40,001 – 60,000 km km | Est. R83k–R121k | Est. R101k–R139k |
| 60,001 – 80,000 km km | Est. R73k–R107k | Est. R90k–R123k |
| 80,001 – 100,000 km km | Est. R65k–R95k | Est. R80k–R110k |
| 100,001 – 120,000 km km | Est. R57k–R84k | Est. R70k–R96k |
| 120,001 – 140,000 km km | Est. R51k–R74k | Est. R62k–R85k |
| 140,001 – 160,000 km km | Est. R45k–R65k | Est. R55k–R75k |
| 160,001 – 180,000 km km | Est. R40k–R58k | Est. R48k–R67k |
| 180,001 – 200,000 km km | Est. R35k–R51k | Est. R43k–R59k |
| 200,000+ km km | Est. R32k–R46k | Est. R39k–R53k |
Prices are estimated using modelled data for the SA market and may vary from an official industry valuation. Want the exact price for a specific vehicle? Use our Industry Valuation Report.
Common Datsun Go problems & repair costs
Engine Mount Wear
Manual transmissions in the 1.2 petrol at 50k+ km often show engine vibration creep due to rubber mount degradation.
Gearbox Synchro Slop
Second and third gear synchromesh can develop notchy engagement by 60k km in hard-driven examples; clutch wear also accelerates.
Trim Panel Rattle
Dashboard and door card clips loosen over time, causing minor interior rattles; purely cosmetic but diagnostic of overall trim quality.
Buyer's inspection checklist
🔧Engine & Drivetrain
Listen for engine knock or pinking under load — 1.2 petrol is sensitive to fuel quality; pre-detonation indicates poor maintenance or low-octane use.
Test clutch bite point and gear engagement clarity — Manual wear shows as soft bite, vagueness, or grinding in 2nd/3rd gear at 50k+ km.
🚗Body & Exterior
Inspect panel gaps and roof/bonnet alignment — Datsun Go used basic weld tooling; misalignment or uneven gaps suggest previous impact damage.
Check doors and windows for smooth operation — Window regulators and hinges are cost-cut components; stiffness indicates poor lubrication or wear.
💡Interior & Electronics
Test infotainment, wipers, and all switches — 2024 Remix includes basic 7-inch touchscreen and aircon; early electrical faults suggest poor use or water ingress.
Examine seat bolsters and steering wheel condition — Budget trim plastics and cloth degrade quickly; wear pattern indicates real vs. abused duty cycle.
📋Service History
Verify all scheduled services on Datsun Care records — Skipped or delayed services accelerate wear; 1.2 petrol needs consistent oil changes to avoid sludge.
Request oil change receipts and confirm filter type — Budget buyers often use non-OEM or low-quality filters; genuine Datsun parts are ~R60–90 vs. R20 aftermarket.
Recommended maintenance schedule
highEngine oil & filter change — Sludge buildup & bearing wear
10,000 km
R450–R700
R450–R700
highTransmission fluid & clutch inspection — Synchro failure & clutch slip
40,000 km
R800–R1,400
R800–R1,400
mediumAir filter & cabin filter replacement — Reduced airflow & AC odor
20,000 km
R250–R450
R250–R450
mediumBrake pad inspection & rotors — Rotor glazing & brake fade
30,000 km
R1,200–R2,000
R1,200–R2,000
Datsun Go owner reviews
Owners praise fuel efficiency and affordability, but note limited power, basic interior, and susceptibility to drivetrain wear if maintenance is deferred. (58/100 owner approval)
👍
Exceptional Fuel Economy
Real-world 5.8–6.5 L/100 km in mixed driving makes this one of SA's most economical compacts; runabout cost is minimal.
👍
Affordable Maintenance
Parts are cheap and widely available; service cost stays low, and older Go models (2013+) prove durable with basic care.
👎
Weak Power Delivery
55 kW is genuinely slow on highways and in merging; acceleration feels sluggish even when new, worsening as engine ages.
👎
Sparse Interior & Road Noise
Dashboard is hard plastic, cabin insulation is minimal, and exterior noise intrudes loudly above 100 km/h; not pleasant for long drives.
Datsun Go specifications
| Engine | 1.2L 3-cyl petrol HR12DE |
| Power | 55 kW @ 5,000 rpm |
| Torque | 104 N·m @ 4,400 rpm |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Fuel consumption | 6.2 L/100 km (combined) |
| Fuel tank | 50 L |
| Boot capacity | 235 L |
| Kerb weight | 960 kg |
| Top speed | 165 km/h |
| 0–100 km/h | 13.8 sec |
| Service interval | 10,000 km or 6 months |
| Service plan | Datsun Care available; ~R800–R1,200 per service |
| Warranty | 3 years / unlimited km (original); 12 months used car |
| Original price | R199,000 (2024 Remix entry) |
Frequently asked questions
A used Datsun Go typically retails from around R155k–R180k depending on year, mileage and condition, with trade-in value around R120k–R145k. See the full pricing table above for estimates across all mileage bands.
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All information is either scraped, searched from live sources or AI training data. It is intended as a general research guide only and may not represent actual transaction values for a specific vehicle. RideReport is not a licensed valuations provider.