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.
A sensible economy choice for budget-conscious buyers prioritizing fuel cost over features, but expect poor resale and a joyless ownership experience.
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
Est. Trade
R138k
Annual Sales (SA)
~8,500
5yr Depreciation
62%
Datsun Go buyer's guide
The 2024 Datsun Go 1.2 Remix MT is a no-frills urban runabout built explicitly for price-conscious South African buyers who prioritize acquisition cost and fuel economy over driving refinement or feature richness. At this mileage band (40–60k km), these cars are barely two years into their working lives, making them genuinely young used stock in a segment dominated by older hand-me-downs. The 1.2-liter naturally aspirated petrol engine is bulletproof in its simplicity—carburetor-free, timing-chain equipped, and proven across multiple Nissan platforms—and paired with the manual gearbox delivers real-world fuel consumption consistently below 6 L/100 km even in mixed driving, a genuine advantage in SA's high-fuel-cost environment. Where the Go Remix loses out is everywhere else: the cabin is austere (manual windows, no power steering on some trims, rubber floor mats), NVH is poor at highway speeds, and the chassis feels flimsy compared to rivals like the Polo Vivo. Parts availability is excellent through Nissan's dealer network, and servicing remains affordable at around R600–R800 per visit on a budget workshop schedule. Resale is sluggish—the Go holds value worse than a Polo or Swift because buyer preference has shifted upmarket—but trade-in appeal survives because fleet operators and driving schools still buy them for attrition vehicles. For someone buying their first car, commuting solo in city traffic, or running a taxi business, a 40–60k km Go Remix MT makes genuine financial sense; for anyone seeking driving engagement, modern safety tech, or resale strength, this car will disappoint. The used market at this age is thin but real; buy only if the service history is complete and the body hasn't rusted—both common failures in this segment.
vs Hyundai i20 1.2 Motion: The i20 costs R30–50k more but offers a proper infotainment touchscreen, electric power steering, and a far more composed ride; the Datsun is cheaper to run but feels cheaper to sit in. Both are bulletproof engines, but the Hyundai's 5-speed automatic is smoother than the Go's manual on congested roads.
vs Kia Picanto 1.0 Start: The Picanto is similarly austere and sub-R200k used, but its 1.0-liter engine is noisier and less powerful than the Go's 1.2, making the Datsun the better choice for highway work; however, the Picanto's interior plastics feel less brittle and dealer support is stronger in most urban areas.
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
Rust spots on lower body panels and sills
The Go's steel is not treated aggressively against salt-spray corrosion; surface rust and panel perforation are common by 50k km in coastal areas or high-humidity regions.
Severity: MediumEst. repair: R2,500–R8,000Common at: 40k+ km
Manual gearbox clutch wear and gear-shift stiffness
Heavy traffic use causes premature clutch engagement point creep and sticky gear selection, especially on cold starts; replacement clutch kits run R3,500–R5,000 fitted.
Severity: MediumEst. repair: R3,500–R5,000Common at: 45k+ km
Interior door-card delamination and loose trim clips
Cheap plastic door cards and dashboard trim pieces crack and rattle by 50k km; replacement clips and trim tape cost minimal but repeated failures signal poor build quality.
Severity: LowEst. repair: R200–R800Common at: 40k+ km
Buyer's inspection checklist
🔧Engine & Drivetrain
Start engine cold; listen for valve rattle or knock—HR12DE should be quiet and clean. — A ticking or rattling engine suggests carbon buildup or bearing wear; timing-chain models rarely fail but carbon deposits degrade fuel economy.
Depress clutch pedal fully three times; gear shift into 1st and Reverse without crunch or grinding. — Worn clutch and syncro mesh create grinding; repair cost is high relative to car value and signals hard driving history.
🚗Body & Exterior
Inspect lower door sills, rear quarter panels, and undercarriage for surface rust or perforation; use magnet to test for filler. — The Go's thin steel and minimal undercoat allow rapid rust spread; hidden corrosion can compromise structural integrity and invite expensive repairs.
Check all four door-card interiors and A/C vents for cracks, loose clips, or interior trim peeling. — Cheap plastics degrade rapidly; repeated failures signal assembly quality and predict future rattles and air-leak problems.
💡Interior & Electronics
Test all switches: power windows (if equipped), locks, lights, wipers, climate control; confirm air-con blows cold. — Electrical faults are expensive to diagnose on budget cars and rarely worth repair; air-con compressor regassing and repairs are common failures.
Verify complete OEM service record (stamped booklet) with intervals respected; cross-check with dealership records if possible. — Go owners who skip services often suffer premature wear; interval compliance is the strongest predictor of remaining engine life and resale appeal.
📋Service History
Request full service log; confirm oil changes every 10k km, filter replacements, and spark-plug renewal at 40k km. — Engine longevity hinges on oil quality; cheap oil and extended intervals accelerate wear in high-stress city driving.
Ask seller if clutch has ever been adjusted or replaced; confirm no transmission oil leaks or repair work. — Clutch failure is the most common paid repair on this model; a freshly replaced unit suggests imminent future failure elsewhere.
Recommended maintenance schedule
highEngine oil and filter change — Engine sludge and bearing wear
Every 10,000 km or 6 months R300–R450
highSpark plugs replacement — Hard starting and fuel waste
Every 40,000 km R400–R700
mediumClutch fluid check and bleed — Soft pedal and clutch failure
Every 20,000 km; bleed annually R150–R400
mediumAir filter and cabin filter replacement — Poor fuel economy and A/C mold
Every 20,000 km (air); every 15,000 km (cabin) R250–R500 combined
Datsun Go owner reviews
Owners praise the Go's rock-solid reliability and low fuel bills but complain about noisy cabins, poor resale value, and flimsy interior quality. (58/100 owner approval)
👍
Engine is bulletproof and simple to service
The 1.2L petrol engine requires minimal specialist knowledge and parts are cheap; many owners report 150k+ km with only scheduled maintenance.
👍
Exceptional real-world fuel economy under 6 L/100 km
In city and highway mixed driving, users consistently report 5.6–5.9 L/100 km, making running costs the lowest in its price bracket.
👎
Noisy cabin and poor NVH at highway speeds
Minimal insulation means engine roar is loud above 100 km/h and wind noise invades the cabin; long-distance driving is fatiguing.
👎
Weak resale demand and heavy depreciation
The Go languishes in the second-hand market because buyers gravitate toward Polo Vivo and Swift alternatives; private sale turnaround can exceed 6 months.
Datsun Go specifications
Engine
1.2L 3-cyl petrol (HR12DE)
Power
65 kW @ 5,200 rpm
Torque
100 Nm @ 3,600 rpm
Transmission
5-speed manual
Fuel consumption
5.8 L/100 km (combined)
Fuel tank
50 L
Boot capacity
268 L
Kerb weight
980 kg
Top speed
160 km/h
0–100 km/h
11.2 sec
Service interval
10,000 km or 6 months
Service plan
Dealer: ~R750–R900 per visit; independent: ~R500–R650
Warranty
3 years / 100,000 km (original); 0 on used market
Original price
R259,000 (2024 model, Remix base)
Frequently asked questions
A used Datsun Go typically retails from around R165k depending on year, mileage and condition, with trade-in value around R138k. 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.