GWM P Series P500 — Price, Faults & Buyer's Guide
Everything you need to know before buying a used GWM P Series P500 in South Africa — pricing by mileage, known faults, a buyer's inspection checklist, maintenance schedule and real owner feedback.
Proven 2.4TD9AT Smooth4x4 CapableLow Mileage
7.8
Strong Buy
Capable 4x4 bakkie with proven 2.4TD engine, excellent payload, and solid resale; check service history and clutch wear on manual variant predecessors.
Est. Retail
R480k
Est. Trade
R420k
Annual Sales (SA)
~8,500
5yr Depreciation
32%
Common GWM P Series P500 problems & repair costs
Transmission oil life
9AT requires quality synthetic ATF; neglect causes harsh shifts and internal wear. Budget R1,200–R1,800 for fluid + filter every 100k km.
Diesel particulate filter (DPF)
Soot buildup on short city runs; regeneration cycles needed. Blocked DPF triggers warning light and R3,500–R5,500 cleaning/replacement.
Brake dust & caliper corrosion
P Series runs larger brakes in 4x4 spec; salt & dust corrode calipers. Inspect pads and flush fluid every 60k km; pads R800–R1,200.
Buyer's inspection checklist
🔧Engine & Drivetrain
Turbo spool & response — 2.4TD can suffer carbon buildup in EGR; sluggish spool or hesitation signals neglect.
9AT shift smoothness — Automatic must upshift smoothly at all RPMs; shuddering or delayed engagement flags worn transmission fluid.
🚗Body & Exterior
Tub rust & frame condition — Diesel bakkies accumulate salt spray; hidden rust under floor mats or wheel wells reduces resale.
Suspension bushings & play — Off-road use and load cycles wear front control arm bushings early; play causes tyre wear & steering vagueness.
💡Interior & Electronics
Cabin air filter & AC refrigerant — P Series cabins accumulate dust on poor-sealed intakes; AC compressor strain reduces cooling.
Instrument cluster & warning lights — P Series displays common cluster pixel loss; CEL for DPF or NOx sensor faults common on neglected units.
📋Service History
Dealer vs. independent service stamps — GWM warranty honoured only at official dealers; independents = warranty void + resale discount.
Oil change interval compliance — 2.4TD requires 15k km oil changes; skipped intervals accelerate turbo wear and sludge buildup.
Recommended maintenance schedule
highEngine oil & filter change (10W-40 semi-synthetic minimum) — Turbo sludge & bearing wear
Every 15,000 km
R450–R700
R450–R700
highDiesel fuel filter & water drain — Injector clogging & DPF blockage
Every 30,000 km
R280–R450
R280–R450
high9AT transmission fluid & filter flush — Harsh shifts & internal seal failure
Every 100,000 km
R1,200–R1,800
R1,200–R1,800
mediumBrake pad & rotor inspection — Brake fade & corrosion damage
Every 60,000 km
R800–R1,200
R800–R1,200
GWM P Series P500 owner reviews
P Series owners praise robust 2.4TD power and 4x4 capability; some report early DPF issues and automatic transmission noise on older manuals. (74/100 owner approval)
👍
Torquey diesel & payload
2.4TD delivers 400 N·m from 1,600 rpm for towing/loading; 1,000 kg payload rated for real-world work.
👍
9AT comfort & fuel economy
Automatic transmission smooth for daily commute; 7.2 L/100 km reasonable for 4x4 diesel bakkie size.
👎
DPF regeneration cycles & limp mode
City-only use triggers frequent DPF regens; ignored cycles cause blocked filter and R4k–R5.5k repairs.
👎
Transmission software glitches
Early 9AT units (2022–2023) reported jerky downshifts and delayed engagement; GWM issued silent recalls.
GWM P Series P500 specifications
| Engine | 2.4L Turbodiesel 4-cyl |
| Power | 132 kW (180 PS) |
| Torque | 400 N·m @ 1,600 rpm |
| Transmission | 9-speed automatic 4x4 |
| Fuel consumption | 7.2 L/100 km (combined) |
| Fuel tank | 80 L |
| Boot capacity | 1,650 L (tub); 1,000 kg payload |
| Kerb weight | 1,845 kg |
| Top speed | 180 km/h |
| 0–100 km/h | 10.8 s |
| Service interval | 15,000 km or 6 months |
| Service plan | GWM 6-year/150k km (select dealers) |
| Warranty | 6 years/150,000 km (transferable) |
| Original price | R720,000 |
Frequently asked questions
A used GWM P Series P500 typically retails from around R480k depending on year, mileage and condition, with trade-in value around R420k. 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.