If you have a deep passion for the automotive industry and want to build a career with the absolute market leader, pursuing the latest Motus Careers is the ultimate goal. Motus (formerly Imperial Logistics) is South Africa’s largest and most dominant automotive retail and mobility group.
They are the powerhouse behind the scenes of the country’s transport sector. They don’t just sell cars; they import them, distribute the massive supply of aftermarket parts (via Midas and Alert Engine Parts), manage massive corporate vehicle fleets, and run the largest network of car dealerships in the country (including major brands like Toyota, Hyundai, and Kia).
Because their operational footprint is so massive, their demand for skilled professionals is continuous. They are always on the hunt for highly persuasive automotive sales executives for their dealership floors, tough diesel mechanics to service corporate truck fleets, and brilliant supply chain analysts to move auto parts across borders.
Securing a permanent role within the Motus Group means joining a highly structured, corporate automotive environment. Employees benefit from competitive basic salaries, highly lucrative commission structures in retail, deep discounts on vehicle purchases and maintenance, and massive internal career mobility across their different business pillars.
Let’s review the realistic earning potential for sales and technical staff, the specific motor industry jobs South Africa relies on, and the correct digital steps to get your CV into their applicant tracking system.
Our Honest Take: Motus vs. Independent Dealerships?
Our Analysis: Working for a small, independent used-car lot is often highly informal and purely commission-driven. Working for Motus is entering a massive corporate machine. The training you receive here (especially in Finance and Insurance – F&I) is world-class. However, because it is corporate, the compliance and auditing processes are strict. The pressure to hit monthly sales targets is intense, but the resources, marketing budgets, and brand power behind you are significantly larger than what any independent dealer can offer.
Expert Pro Tip: “The F&I and Parts Keyword.” If you are applying for a dealership role, don’t just say you “sold cars.” Motus wants people who understand the whole value chain. Explicitly mention your experience with NCA (National Credit Act), FAIS compliance, selling VAPs (Value Added Products like extended warranties), and the Kerridge/Automate dealership software. This proves you are a sophisticated automotive professional.
Job Overview: Salary & Benefits (2026 Estimates)
| Role | Est. Monthly Salary (ZAR) | Category |
| Dealer Principal (DP) | R45,000 – R80,000+ | Dealership Mgmt |
| F&I Manager | R30,000 – R55,000 | Finance/Compliance |
| Master Technician (Red Seal) | R25,000 – R40,000 | Workshop |
| New/Used Vehicle Sales Exec | R8,500 + High Comm | Retail Sales |
| Parts Sales Executive | R12,000 – R18,000+ | Aftermarket |
| Logistics / Fleet Controller | R15,000 – R25,000 | Supply Chain |

Available Job Positions (2026 Breakdown)
Because Motus operates across the entire automotive value chain, their recruitment drives target three completely different skill sets:
1. Retail Dealerships & Car Rental
- Roles: Dealer Principals, Sales Executives (New/Pre-Owned), F&I Business Managers, Service Advisors.
- The Job: Selling the metal. You will negotiate vehicle prices with walk-in customers, arrange vehicle financing through major banks, manage the rental fleet for Europcar/Tempest, or act as the liaison between the customer and the workshop during a vehicle service.
- Requirements: Sales roles require high energy, a driver’s license, and strong negotiation skills. F&I roles strictly require RE5 and FAIS credits.
2. Workshop & Technical Services
- Roles: Diagnostic Technicians, Auto-Electricians, Diesel Mechanics, Panel Beaters.
- The Job: Fixing the metal. You will plug complex diagnostic computers into modern vehicles to trace electrical faults, rebuild massive diesel engines for the commercial fleet division, or perform major scheduled services on customer vehicles to exact OEM specifications.
- Requirements: A recognized Motor Trade Certificate (N3/N4) and a completed Red Seal Trade Test (e.g., Motor Mechanic). Master Technicians require specific brand certifications (e.g., Toyota Master Tech).
3. Aftermarket Parts & Logistics
- Roles: Parts Salesmen (Midas), Warehouse Pickers, Supply Chain Analysts, Fleet Controllers.
- The Job: Moving the parts. You will identify and sell specific brake pads to independent mechanics over the counter, manage the massive inventory inside a central distribution center (DC), or track a fleet of trucks delivering parts across the SADC region.
- Requirements: Parts sales require deep technical knowledge of car components and electronic parts catalogs (EPC). Logistics roles require relevant Supply Chain degrees.
The Reality of Working in the Motor Industry
- The Month-End Push:
In the retail dealership division, the last week of the month is notoriously stressful. If you are a Sales Exec or an F&I Manager, you will work late into the evenings and on weekends to push deals through bank approvals to ensure the dealership hits its monthly target.
- Physical Toll in the Workshop:
If you are a mechanic or technician, the workshops are highly modernized, but the work is still physically demanding. You are on your feet all day, dealing with heavy components, oil, and tight flat-rate time schedules dictated by the manufacturer.
- Compliance is King:
The South African automotive finance industry is heavily regulated. F&I Managers and Sales Execs must be acutely aware of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) and the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services (FAIS) Act. Selling a financial product incorrectly can result in immediate dismissal and being debarred from the industry.
Featured “Hot Job”: F&I Business Manager
The Finance and Insurance (F&I) Manager is the most critical financial role in a dealership, responsible for securing bank finance for customers and selling profitable insurance products.
- Estimated Salary: R30,000 – R55,000 per month (Basic + Commission).
- Location: Various Dealerships Nationwide (e.g., Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban).
Requirements:
- Grade 12 (Matric). A relevant tertiary qualification in Finance or Commerce is highly advantageous.
- DOFA (Date of First Appointment) registered with the FSCA.
- Must have completed RE5 (Regulatory Examination) and possess the required 120 FAIS credits.
- Minimum 2 to 3 years of proven experience as an F&I Manager within a franchised automotive dealership.
How to Apply Correctly? (Multiple Channels)
Because Motus is a massive corporate entity comprising hundreds of individual businesses, they utilize a centralized digital recruitment system to manage the influx of CVs.
Method 1: The Official Motus Careers Portal
This is the required and most direct route for all permanent dealership, corporate, and logistics roles.
- Step 1: Visit the official Motus website.
- Step 2: Use the search filters to narrow down by division (e.g., Retail and Rental vs. Aftermarket Parts) or by specific province.
- Step 3: The site usually links to their dedicated ATS (often built on platforms like MIE or standard Workday). Register a detailed profile.
- Step 4: Upload your CV.
Crucial: Ensure your CV explicitly states your sales numbers (if in retail) or your specific OEM brand experience (if in the workshop, e.g., “3 years VW experience”).
Method 2: Automotive Recruitment Agencies
- Action: Register with motor-industry headhunters.
- Why: The motor trade relies heavily on specialized recruitment agencies (like Sydsen Recruit or Motor Match). Dealerships frequently use these agencies to find highly qualified Master Technicians or experienced Dealer Principals. Getting your CV onto their databases is highly strategic.
Method 3: Direct Dealership Networking (For Sales Execs)
- Action: Direct CV drop-off to the Sales Manager.
- Why: If you want to be a floor Sales Executive and have a proven track record, dressing immaculately and walking into a large Motus dealership to hand your CV directly to the New or Used Car Sales Manager is still a highly effective way to secure an immediate interview.

Thabo Mandla is the lead Career Guide Expert at DurbanTalent.com. With over 10 years of practical experience in South African recruitment, he specializes in connecting professionals with top employers in Aviation, Finance, and Hospitality. Thabo combines his background in Human Resources with direct insights from local hiring managers to provide job seekers with accurate, actionable, and reliable career advice. He is passionate about helping candidates navigate the Durban job market and achieve their professional goals.