This shift is giving rise to a new generation of research tools and perhaps the most notable of these in the South African market is MAPO’s – Vehicle Running Cost application. Unlike traditional spec sheets or manufacturer websites, it doesn’t just tell you how fast a car accelerates or what gadgets are included. Instead, it confronts the questions buyers actually live with:

• How much will this car cost to service over five years?
• What will its resale value look like when it’s time to trade it in?
• Will maintenance costs eat into my budget faster than fuel consumption?

In other words, it forces us to look beyond the sticker price to the long game: the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).

This app doesn’t replace the joy of buying a car, but it ensures that joy comes without financial surprises later.

Why this matters now?

The South African automotive landscape has changed dramatically. Rising fuel costs, fluctuating interest rates and the growing presence of hybrid and electric vehicles mean affordability is no longer about the purchase price alone, it’s about sustainability of ownership.

Consumers who once bought the cheapest entry-level option often found themselves trapped by sky-high parts costs or punishing depreciation. That hard-earned lesson has created a hunger for transparency.

This Vehicle Running Cost app steps neatly into this gap, serving not as a glossy brochure but as a research companion. It doesn’t take away the thrill of the test drive, it ensures buyers walk into that test drive with their eyes wide open.

Data as the great equaliser:

Traditionally, the salesperson held the power of information. Buyers might have known about boot space or fuel economy, but when it came to service intervals, depreciation, or long-term maintenance, they were often in the dark.

With tools like MAPO’s – Vehicle Running Cost application, that dynamic changes. Consumers can now arrive at a dealership with competitor comparisons, cost breakdowns, and even access to parts pricing. The conversation shifts from “trust me” to “let’s look at the numbers together”.

More than specs and comparisons:

The app still covers the basics like detailed specs, competitor suggestions, even a VIN scanner that identifies cars directly from licence disks. Its “virtual garage” lets buyers save and revisit models. Its finance calculator offers realistic monthly estimates.

But its editorial significance lies elsewhere: it signals a cultural shift in car buying.

That doesn’t mean the romance of car buying disappears. It means the thrill of a new purchase is no longer shadowed by financial regret six months later.

The bigger picture:

Globally, automotive research has been trending toward transparency for years. Local solutions like this app show that South Africa isn’t just keeping up, it’s setting new benchmarks.

As electric vehicles slowly enter the mainstream, this kind of data will be more critical than ever. Battery replacement costs, charging infrastructure and long-term depreciation are still unknowns for many buyers. Tools that can capture and present this information in consumer-friendly ways will be essential.

A shift worth celebrating:

Debates often ask whether technology simplifies our lives or complicates them. In the case of MAPO’s - Vehicle Running Cost app, the answer feels clear: it simplifies car buying by making it more honest.

Cars will always stir emotions. But they are also financial commitments that ripple through household budgets for years. By putting service costs, TCO, and depreciation front and centre, tools like this ensure that the joy of a new purchase is matched by the peace of mind of knowing you’ve made the right decision.

And the cost?

A spokesperson told Dealerfloor that the App can be downloaded from App-stores and is free for the first two weeks, enough time for someone in the decision-making process of buying a new vehicle. At an additional cost of R270 you can add another month or take out a yearly subscription.