WeBuyCars started as a hobby for brothers Faan and Dirk van der Walt two decades ago in the town of Bronkhorstspruit, an hour’s drive east of Pretoria, South Africa’s capital. As a teenager, Faan would buy, fix up and sell pre-owned cars, having learned repairs – along with his brother Dirk – from their father. The hobby continued, even as Faan grew older and studied to be a teacher.
In 1998, when Faan and his wife went to teach in the UK for two years Dirk, who was finishing a marketing degree at the University of Pretoria, carried on the business until his brother’s return. In 2001, Faan and his wife came back from the UK with savings to use to expand the business.
The business grew rapidly over the years, largely because they adapted to challenges along the way, particularly amidst various economic crises.