No. This is the most important thing to understand about vehicle tracking device ownership in South Africa, and it’s the question that generates the most confusion.
When a vehicle with a Netstar car tracking device is sold, the tracking contract is linked to the original owner, not the vehicle. The system does not automatically transfer to the new owner. It does not pause. It does not reset. Without deliberate action from both the seller and the buyer, the original owner’s contract remains active and they remain financially responsible, even after the vehicle has left their possession.
At the same time, the new owner has no active protection. They’re driving a vehicle with a car tracking device installed, but it isn’t working for them. If that vehicle is stolen, there is no recovery service in their name and no emergency response connected to their identity.
Both outcomes are bad. Both are preventable. Here’s what each party needs to do.
When you sell a vehicle with a Netstar vehicle tracking device installed, you must cancel your contract. This closes your account under your name and terminates your financial responsibility for the device and service.
A settlement may be required when you cancel, depending on the terms of your contract. Contact Netstar before completing the sale so you understand any costs involved and can factor them into your negotiations.
Some sellers assume the new owner will simply take over the account or that the contract will lapse on its own. Neither happens automatically. There are three clear reasons why cancellation is not optional:
Failing to cancel also creates a vehicle theft risk scenario that no one wants: if the vehicle is stolen after the sale and the new owner has no active tracking in their name, recovery is significantly more difficult.
As the new owner of a vehicle with a Netstar car tracking device installed, you must open your own account and activate tracking under your name. The previous owner’s contract cannot simply be transferred to you. You need a new contract that covers you, your details, and your emergency contact information.
This is the step most buyers skip, and it’s the one that leaves them without vehicle theft protection from day one of ownership.
How to open a new account as the buyer
You can also sign up directly via the Netstar website or through the MyNetstar app. Once your account is active, you’ll have access to real-time vehicle location, emergency recovery services, and the full Netstar protection ecosystem.
Step 2: Request your documents
As the new owner, you are entitled to request the following documents from the previous owner or directly from Netstar:
These certificates are important for insurance purposes and for verifying the condition of the vehicle tracking device before you activate your new contract. They are available via MyNetstar or through the WhatsApp BOT by saving 0860 12 24 36 and sending ‘Hi’.
Depending on the age of the existing unit or the package you choose, Netstar may recommend a test or unit health check to confirm the car tracking device is functioning correctly in your vehicle. This is arranged when you open your new account.
Will the car tracking device be removed from the vehicle?
In most cases, no. The existing vehicle tracking device remains in the vehicle when ownership changes. You won’t need to have a new unit installed unless one of the following applies:
If a new device does need to be fitted, Netstar offers installation at nationwide fitment centres or, in many cases, at your home or office. Visit netstar.co.za to find the nearest fitment centre in your province.
There is a window that opens between the moment the seller cancels their contract and the moment the buyer activates their own account. During this window, the vehicle has no active tracking coverage.
This is the most vulnerable period for the new owner. A vehicle with an inactive car tracking device is indistinguishable from a vehicle with no tracking at all. If it’s stolen during this window, recovery depends on the new owner making a manual report to SAPS rather than triggering an immediate Netstar emergency response.
The solution is simple: both parties should handle the tracking transition at the same time as the vehicle handover. Ideally, the seller cancels on the day of sale and the buyer contacts Netstar on the same day to begin opening their account.
If your vehicle is stolen at any point and you have an active Netstar account, call the emergency line immediately on 0800 11 22 22. For more guidance on what to do after vehicle theft, visit Netstar’s frequently asked questions page.
Once you’ve completed the change of ownership process and opened your new account, Netstar offers a range of solutions to protect your vehicle, your assets, and your family.
For personal vehicle owners
If you’ve just bought a vehicle and need to set up your own Netstar account, don’t delay. Every day without an active car tracking device is a day your vehicle isn’t covered. Getting set up is straightforward and our team is available to guide you through every step.
Personal vehicle tracking and recovery | Fleet tracking and management | Value-added services | Got questions? Visit our FAQ
No. The Netstar contract is linked to the original owner, not the vehicle. When a vehicle is sold, the previous owner must cancel their contract, and the new owner must open a separate account. Without this process, the original owner continues to be billed, and the new owner has no active vehicle theft protection.
The seller remains financially responsible for the monthly subscription even after the vehicle has changed hands. Netstar cannot legally track a vehicle for a new owner under someone else’s contract. The seller’s account will continue to be charged until they formally cancel. To cancel, personal clients should call 011 207 5003 or email cancellations@netstar.co.za. Business clients should call 011 207 5335 or email fleetcancellations@netstar.co.za.
In most cases, no. The existing vehicle tracking device remains in the vehicle. It will only be replaced if the unit is outdated, incompatible with the new owner’s chosen package, or fails a health check. When the new owner opens their account, Netstar will advise whether a new installation is required.
The new owner should request a test certificate and a fitment certificate. The test certificate confirms the vehicle tracking device is functioning correctly. The fitment certificate confirms the installation details. Both are available from the previous owner or directly from Netstar via the MyNetstar app or WhatsApp BOT by saving 0860 12 24 36 and sending ‘Hi’.
Call SAPS immediately and report the theft at the station nearest to where the vehicle was taken. If the previous owner’s contract has not yet been cancelled, contact Netstar on 0860 12 24 36 to explain the situation. To avoid this risk entirely, both the seller’s cancellation and the buyer’s new account registration should be completed on the same day as the vehicle handover.
South Africa sold over 383,000 used vehicles in 2025 alone. In almost every one of those transactions, the question of what happens to an existing car tracking device goes unanswered and that silence creates real problems for both the seller and the buyer. When a vehicle with a Netstar vehicle tracking device is sold, the tracking contract does not automatically transfer to the new owner. The seller must cancel their contract. The buyer must open a new one. Neither party can skip this process without facing ongoing financial liability, vehicle theft risk, and a gap in legal tracking coverage. This guide explains every step of the process, all contact details, and what documents the new owner needs.
Buying or selling a second-hand vehicle is one of the most common financial transactions South Africans make. In 2025, more than 383,000 used vehicles changed hands, generating over R160 billion in sales value. That’s a lot of vehicles and a lot of car tracking devices - moving from one owner to the next.
For most buyers and sellers, the conversation is about price, service history, and condition. The car tracking device installed in the vehicle rarely comes up. That’s a mistake that can leave both parties exposed.
Whether you’re the person selling the car or the person buying it, this guide tells you exactly what you need to do to make sure your Netstar vehicle tracking device is handled correctly during a change of ownership and why getting it wrong has real consequences.
Netstar is an operating company within the Altron Group and an industry-leading provider of vehicle tracking, recovery, and fleet management solutions across South Africa