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.
A trusted, low-cost commuter with proven durability and excellent running economics—ideal for budget buyers who value reliability over style.
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
R245k
Est. Trade
R215k
Annual Sales (SA)
~4,200
5yr Depreciation
38%
Honda Amaze buyer's guide
The 2024 Honda Amaze 1.2 Comfort CVT represents a pragmatic choice for budget-conscious South African buyers seeking a compact sedan with proven reliability and low running costs. This third-generation Amaze (launched 2018) competes in the tight B-segment where space, efficiency and brand credibility matter more than performance or prestige. At 40–60k km, you're looking at a car still well within its mechanical prime, with Honda's reputation for longevity providing genuine peace of mind—though the CVT transmission, while durable, demands meticulous servicing to avoid future repair bills. The 1.2-litre petrol engine is naturally aspirated, unpretentious and thrifty on fuel, returning mid-5s in mixed driving and mid-6s on highway runs, making it genuinely affordable to own in an era of climbing fuel costs. Service parts are widely available through Honda dealers and independent suppliers, and labour costs remain reasonable. The Comfort trim sits squarely in the sensible middle: you get air-con, power steering, electric windows and a basic infotainment unit—nothing flashy, but enough to feel like a proper car rather than a bare-bones econobox. Resale strength is solid; the Amaze holds value respectably in the used market because buyers understand its no-nonsense character and Honda's dealer network spans the country. The real ownership reality is that this car asks little of you and delivers exactly what it promises: a safe, reliable commuter that won't break the bank or your patience. For a first-time car buyer, a young family on a tight budget, or anyone simply needing dependable urban transport without monthly finance strain, the 2024 Amaze Comfort CVT at this mileage is a sensible, unglamorous winner.
vs Hyundai Venue 1.2 Motion: The Venue is newer-gen and slightly larger, with a more modern interior and touchscreen; the Amaze offers better fuel economy and more established Honda parts availability, though the Venue's warranty may still hold. The Amaze is typically R15–25k cheaper at resale.
vs Nissan Almera 1.5 Acenta: The Almera is larger inside and more powerful, appealing to buyers who want extra space and grunt; the Amaze compensates with better efficiency, a slicker CVT and stronger brand trust in the SA market, though the Almera's 1.5 petrol offers more versatility for highway cruising.
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 transmission fluid breakdown
CVT fluid degrades faster in stop-start SA traffic; neglected servicing risks slippage, shuddering or complete loss of drive. Fluid replacement alone costs R800–R1,500 but failure requires R8–15k+ transmission work.
Severity: HighEst. repair: R800–R15,000Common at: 80k+ km
Air-con compressor wear
Amaze models in hot SA climates see premature compressor strain; regas every 12–15 months is often necessary. Full compressor replacement runs R4–6k if failure occurs.
Severity: MediumEst. repair: R400–R6,000Common at: 60k+ km
Rear shock absorber corrosion
South African salt and humidity corrode rear shocks; by 80–100k km, play or noise may develop. Pair replacement is R1,200–R2,000 fitted.
Severity: MediumEst. repair: R1,200–R2,000Common at: 80k+ km
Buyer's inspection checklist
🔧Engine & Drivetrain
CVT fluid colour and smell — Red fluid should be bright; brown or burnt smell signals overheating or wear.
Engine idle smoothness and cold-start behaviour — Rough idle or hard starts may indicate spark plug fouling or carbon buildup in the combustion chamber.
🚗Body & Exterior
Rear shock mounts for play and corrosion — Rusted shocks allow vertical movement and noise; critical safety item in wet conditions.
Windscreen and panel gaps for accident history — Misaligned doors or fresh paint indicates past impact; affects insurance and resale.
💡Interior & Electronics
Air-con cold output and compressor cycling — Weak cool-down or compressor clatter at start-up signals compressor wear or low refrigerant.
Complete service record with CVT fluid and filter changes — Skipped CVT services are the leading cause of catastrophic failure; oil-only services leave sediment.
Warranty and ownership history — Single owner with full Honda Care plan adds credibility; multi-owner or fleet cars may hide accident damage.
Recommended maintenance schedule
highCVT fluid and filter replacement — transmission slippage and failure
40,000 km or 2 years R1,200–R1,800
mediumAir-con regas and condenser flush — compressor burnout
12–15 months (SA climate) R400–R700
mediumSpark plugs and air filter replacement — hard starting and poor idle
40,000 km R350–R600
highBrake fluid flush and pad inspection — brake fade and corrosion
50,000 km or annually R600–R1,100
Honda Amaze owner reviews
Owners consistently praise the Amaze's fuel economy and reliability, though some report CVT hesitation and limited performance in heavy traffic. (75/100 owner approval)
👍
Excellent fuel economy and low running costs
Real-world returns of 5.2–5.6 L/100 km make it one of the most efficient petrol sedans in its class; insurance and servicing are also affordable.
👍
Honda reliability and parts availability
Engine and chassis components are bulletproof; spares are stocked by every Honda dealer and independent supplier across SA, keeping repair costs down.
👎
CVT sluggishness in traffic and on inclines
The CVT can feel hesitant or 'rubber-band' during acceleration; some owners report delayed response when overtaking on hills, requiring patience and planning.
👎
Limited rear legroom and small boot
Taller passengers or families with multiple children find the back seats tight; the 268-litre boot is adequate for groceries but not luggage for long trips.
Honda Amaze specifications
Engine
1.2L naturally aspirated 4-cyl petrol
Power
90 PS @ 6,000 rpm
Torque
110 Nm @ 4,800 rpm
Transmission
CVT (continuously variable)
Fuel consumption
5.0–5.5 L/100 km combined
Fuel tank
42 litres
Boot capacity
268 litres
Kerb weight
1,030 kg
Top speed
170 km/h
0–100 km/h
11.2 seconds
Service interval
10,000 km or 6 months
Service plan
Honda Care available; typical oil service R600–R900
Warranty
3 years / 100,000 km (original); used units typically warranty-free
Original price
~R279,000 (Comfort variant, 2024 launch MSRP)
Frequently asked questions
A used Honda Amaze typically retails from around R245k depending on year, mileage and condition, with trade-in value around R215k. 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.