Everything you need to know before buying a used Honda Amaze in South Africa — pricing by mileage, known faults, a buyer's inspection checklist, maintenance schedule and real owner feedback.
CVT Smooth Urban PerformerLow Service CostsStill Under Warranty (2024)Tight Rear Legroom
7.4
Solid Buy
Reliable, fuel-efficient, and well-supported—a sensible mid-market sedan for cost-conscious SA buyers who prioritize running economy over luxury.
Pricing, specs and depreciation below are modelled on a 2024 Honda Amaze 1.2 Comfort CVT — figures will differ for other model years.
Est. Retail
R275k
Est. Trade
R235k
Annual Sales (SA)
~8,500
5yr Depreciation
52%
Honda Amaze buyer's guide
The 2024 Honda Amaze 1.2 Comfort CVT is a practical compact sedan designed for South African buyers who prioritize reliability and low running costs over premium features. At 40k–60k km, this is a still-young vehicle carrying full manufacturer warranty and representing Honda's proven formula of simplicity and durability in the budget sedan space. The 1.2-litre naturally aspirated engine paired with a CVT gearbox delivers modest but adequate performance for urban and suburban driving, with genuine fuel economy around 5.2–5.8 L/100 km under mixed conditions—a real advantage in SA's fuel-conscious market. Service costs remain low because Honda parts are widely stocked, and the Amaze shares mechanical DNA with the Jazz, meaning technician familiarity is high across independent workshops and dealers. Resale strength is solid; the Amaze commands consistent demand among first-time buyers and fleet operators, though depreciation edges higher than Toyota's Corolla Quest because Honda lacks the brand cachet in SA's used market. Ownership realities include modest interior space (rear legroom is tight for tall passengers), a basic feature set (no infotainment touchscreen in Comfort trim, manual air-con), and CVT transmission longevity concerns if maintenance is skipped—the CVT is robust when serviced but unforgiving if neglected. The verdict: a genuinely honest buy for budget-conscious drivers who value low cost-per-kilometre and predictable service expenses over style or technology. It suits young professionals, small families, or mobility-first buyers. Not a bargain-basement steal, but a calculated choice with transparent ownership economics.
vs Toyota Corolla Quest 1.8 R220k–R260k: The Quest undercuts the Amaze on price and offers a larger boot, but the Honda's CVT is smoother than the Corolla's 4-speed auto in city traffic, and Honda's service network rivals Toyota's in SA. The Corolla holds resale value marginally better due to brand strength.
vs Nissan Almera 1.5 Acenta R190k–R225k: The Almera is cheaper and offers a manual option, but the Amaze's CVT provides easier left-foot braking and better fuel economy in congestion. The Almera's interior is more spacious; the Amaze compensates with superior build quality and warranty remaining on 2024 units.
Honda Amaze price in South Africa by mileageMedium confidence
Mileage band
Trade-in estimate
Retail estimate
0 – 20,000 km km
Est. R225k–R295k
Est. R274k–R339k
20,001 – 40,000 km km
Est. R200k–R262k
Est. R244k–R301k
40,001 – 60,000 km km
Est. R176k–R231k
Est. R215k–R266k
60,001 – 80,000 km km
Est. R156k–R205k
Est. R190k–R235k
80,001 – 100,000 km km
Est. R139k–R182k
Est. R169k–R209k
100,001 – 120,000 km km
Est. R122k–R160k
Est. R149k–R183k
120,001 – 140,000 km km
Est. R108k–R141k
Est. R131k–R162k
140,001 – 160,000 km km
Est. R95k–R125k
Est. R116k–R143k
160,001 – 180,000 km km
Est. R84k–R110k
Est. R103k–R127k
180,001 – 200,000 km km
Est. R75k–R98k
Est. R91k–R113k
200,000+ km km
Est. R67k–R88k
Est. R82k–R101k
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 Honda Amaze problems & repair costs
CVT Fluid Degradation & Slipping
CVT fluid degrades faster in stop-start SA city driving; lack of service evidence or overdue changes can cause hesitation and eventual slipping. Verify full CVT service history with dealer stamps.
Severity: MediumEst. repair: R1,200–R2,800Common at: 50k+ km
Electrical Gremlins (Dashboard/Locking)
Occasional reports of dashboard warning lights cycling or central locking failures on high-mileage examples; usually software-related and resolved by dealer reprogram. Check all electrical functions during test drive.
Severity: MediumEst. repair: R450–R1,500Common at: 55k+ km
Rear Suspension Bushing Wear
Rear anti-roll bar bushings wear prematurely on SA roads with potholes; causes subtle clonking over bumps and reduced cornering feel. Replacement is straightforward and inexpensive.
Severity: LowEst. repair: R380–R680Common at: 45k+ km
Buyer's inspection checklist
🔧Engine & Drivetrain
Start engine cold and listen for ticking; rev to 3,000 rpm and check smoothness — Valve train noise or rough idle can indicate oil sludge or timing issues
Take-off from standstill: confirm CVT engages smoothly without hesitation or shudder — CVT slipping or hunting (revving without acceleration) signals fluid degradation
🚗Body & Exterior
Inspect all panel gaps and paint finish for resprays or collision repairs — Poor gap alignment suggests hidden accident history; uneven paint hides frame damage
Check headlight and taillight clarity; test all functions (brake lights, indicators, reverse) — Moisture in headlights and electrical faults are common on high-mileage units
💡Interior & Electronics
Test air-con cooling, cabin heater, and defrost; cycle all windows and locks twice — AC compressors are expensive; failing locks suggest electrical gremlins
Verify all dashboard warning lights extinguish after startup; check odometer and trip meter display — Persistent warning lights can mask engine or transmission faults; dashboard glitches are common
📋Service History
Request full dealer service book with stamped oil changes at 10k intervals up to current mileage — CVT and engine longevity depend on regular oil changes; gaps suggest owner neglect
Verify CVT fluid service completed at last service (should be every 40k km); inspect receipt — Skipped CVT fluid changes are the #1 cause of premature CVT failure in SA heat
Owners consistently praise the Amaze's reliability, fuel economy, and low service costs, though some find the CVT jerky in stop-start traffic and rear legroom cramped for families. (76/100 owner approval)
👍
Rock-solid reliability & low fuel bills
Real-world owners report 5.2–5.8 L/100 km in mixed driving and minimal unscheduled repairs. The 1.2 engine is bulletproof if serviced on time.
👍
Smooth CVT in city congestion
No gear-hunting in bumper-to-bumper traffic; left-foot braking is intuitive and feels safer than manual kickdown.
👎
Cramped rear seat for adults
Headroom and legroom are tight; rear passengers over 1.8m will be uncomfortable on long trips. Not practical for larger families.
👎
CVT jerks under hard acceleration
CVT can feel abrupt when pushed (merging on highways); lacks the smoothness of modern autos in sportier driving. Engine also sounds strained at 5,000+ rpm.
Honda Amaze specifications
Engine
1.2L i-VTEC Petrol, naturally aspirated
Power
89 PS @ 6,100 rpm
Torque
110 Nm @ 4,800 rpm
Transmission
CVT Automatic (constant variable)
Fuel consumption
5.2–5.8 L/100 km (mixed cycle)
Fuel tank
40 litres
Boot capacity
268 litres
Kerb weight
1,045 kg
Top speed
180 km/h
0–100 km/h
10.8 seconds
Service interval
10,000 km or 6 months
Service plan
Honda Care (optional; ~R350/month for 3–5 years)
Warranty
3 years / 100,000 km (factory; remainder if purchased used from dealer)
Original price
~R369,000 (2024 base Comfort retail in SA)
Frequently asked questions
A used Honda Amaze typically retails from around R275k depending on year, mileage and condition, with trade-in value around R235k. 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.