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.
Budget-friendlyLow running costsSparse interiorManual only
6.8
Solid used buy for budget-conscious buyers
Affordable, honest, and reliable for city duty—but only if you accept no-frills practicality and can tolerate a noisy, basic cabin.
Pricing, specs and depreciation below are modelled on a 2024 Datsun Go 1.2 Remix MT — figures will differ for other model years.
Est. Retail
R165k–R195k
Est. Trade
R145k–R170k
Annual Sales (SA)
~8,500
5yr Depreciation
48%
Datsun Go buyer's guide
The 2024 Datsun Go 1.2 Remix MT is a stripped-to-basics city hatchback that appeals to first-time buyers, ride-hailing operators, and cost-conscious motorists who prioritize affordability and simplicity over creature comforts. At this mileage band (40–60k km), you're looking at a car still wearing its early-lifecycle warranty and largely unchallenged by major wear—a genuine sweet spot for a budget hatch. The Remix spec adds a touchscreen and USB connectivity to the base Go, making it slightly less austere than its siblings, though the manual gearbox remains a love-it-or-hate-it proposition in urban stop-start driving. Running costs are genuinely low: service intervals stretch to 15,000 km, genuine spares are plentiful and cheap, and fuel economy hovers near 5.0 L/100 km in real-world conditions. The Datsun badge carries modest residual strength in SA—it won't hold value like a Toyota Starlet, but it won't crater either. Ownership reality is honest: the cabin is noisy, body rigidity feels light, and there's no pretense to comfort. What you get is a dependable, no-nonsense runabout that handles city miles without drama and doesn't demand expensive dealer servicing. The verdict for this specific 2024 generation is straightforward: if you drive city-only, value rock-bottom operating cost over driving refinement, and don't mind a spartan interior, the Go 1.2 Remix MT remains one of the few genuine bargains in the new-car market, and used examples at this age still represent credible value provided full-service history is present.
vs Hyundai i20 1.2 Motion: The i20 costs roughly R20–30k more but delivers superior build quality, a smoother engine, and significantly better interior ergonomics; the Datsun undercuts on price and simplicity but sacrifice refinement and long-term perceived value.
vs Chevrolet Spark 1.2 LS: Both are ultra-budget players, but the Spark feels slightly roomier and the Datsun's 5-speed manual is more robust than Spark's CVT; the Go wins on transmission reliability and service cost but loses on cabin soft-touch materials.
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
Manual gearbox wear in stop-start city use
High-mileage urban examples develop notchy clutch engagement and gear-selection lag; city-heavy operators should confirm clutch play is minimal and all ratios engage smoothly.
Severity: MediumEst. repair: R2,500–R5,000Common at: 80k+ km
Interior trim rattle and door-panel flex
Cabin plastics loosen over time, especially door cards and dash trim; known to develop persistent squeaks and flexing panels under temperature stress.
Severity: MediumEst. repair: R800–R2,000Common at: 60k+ km
Touchscreen display intermittent freeze on Remix spec
Aftermarket-sourced 7-inch touchscreen occasionally locks up or loses Bluetooth pairing; reboot resolves most instances but indicates potential electrical gremlins.
Severity: LowEst. repair: R1,200–R3,500Common at: 50k+ km
Buyer's inspection checklist
🔧Engine & Drivetrain
Listen for engine knock or timing-advance issues at idle — Budget fuel and worn timing chains cause audible clatter in early mornings
Test all gears for clean engagement and no grinding — Manual gearbox synchros wear quickly in taxi/ride-hail duty
🚗Body & Exterior
Inspect door hinges and check for sagging or misalignment — Lightweight body structure flexes over time, doors droop slightly
Look for rust around rear wheel arch and fuel filler — Poor paint coverage and thin protective layer lead to early surface corrosion
💡Interior & Electronics
Test touchscreen for unresponsiveness or Bluetooth dropouts (Remix only) — Aftermarket electronics are prone to firmware issues and loose wiring
Press door panels and dash trim to confirm no rattling or flexing — Plastic clips fail under thermal cycling, creating persistent cabin noise
📋Service History
Verify consecutive oil change records every 15k km — Bargain-basement operators skip services; oil thickness and filter quality critical
Confirm all warranty transfer documents present and valid — Factory 3-year warranty transfers to second owner if paperwork complete
Recommended maintenance schedule
highOil and filter change (Genuine Datsun 0W-30 or equivalent) — Engine sludge, bearing wear
Every 15,000 km or 6 months R400–R650
mediumClutch fluid flush and bleed — Soft clutch pedal, engagement lag
highBrake fluid replacement and pad inspection — Brake fade, moisture-induced corrosion
Every 40,000 km R800–R1,200
Datsun Go owner reviews
Owners praise rock-bottom operating cost and go-anywhere simplicity, but gripe about sparse interior, noisy cabin, and lack of refinement. (62/100 owner approval)
👍
Bulletproof mechanical simplicity
Manual gearbox and 3-cylinder engine are bombproof; low-tech = low breakdowns and easy roadside repairs.
👍
Genuinely cheap running costs
Fuel economy near 5 L/100 km, spares are pennies, and 15k service intervals stretch budgets; total cost-of-ownership beats rivals significantly.
👎
Noisy cabin and poor sound insulation
Engine, road, and wind noise bleed through unfiltered; highway cruising at 120 km/h is genuinely tiring for occupants.
👎
Minimal interior trim and sparse ergonomics
No armrests, basic seat bolstering, and skinny steering wheel make urban city driving less comfortable than rivals; Remix touchscreen feels like an afterthought.
Datsun Go specifications
Engine
1.2L 3-cylinder petrol, 8-valve SOHC
Power
59 kW (80 PS) @ 5,500 rpm
Torque
104 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
Transmission
5-speed manual
Fuel consumption
5.0 L/100 km (combined, real-world ~5.3)
Fuel tank
42 L
Boot capacity
268 L
Kerb weight
850 kg
Top speed
170 km/h
0–100 km/h
11.8 seconds
Service interval
15,000 km or 6 months
Service plan
None standard; aftermarket plans ~R50–R80/month
Warranty
3 years / 100,000 km (factory, if transferred)
Original price
R189,000 (2024 new MSRP)
Frequently asked questions
A used Datsun Go typically retails from around R165k–R195k depending on year, mileage and condition, with trade-in value around R145k–R170k. 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.