Car seat covers protect the seats you have: from farm dust, wet dogs, work clothes, children and the sun. Universal stretch covers are cheap but slip and bunch; fitted covers are cut for your seat, with openings for headrests, armrests, split rear seats and seat belt buckles. Motor trimmers and seat cover makers sew them in canvas, leatherette, leather, neoprene and cloth. Tell us the vehicle, the seats and the material you want, and we pass it to independent makers in your area. They quote you directly. The request is free, with no obligation.
Universal, semi-custom and fitted seat covers
There are three levels of fit:
- Universal: elastic covers that stretch over most seats, cheap and quick, but they move and wear through where they rub
- Semi-custom: patterns for a general seat shape, adjusted a little to your vehicle
- Custom or fitted: cut and sewn for your exact seats, from a pattern the maker already has or one taken off your seats
Fitted covers sit tight and look close to a full retrim, for much less work.
Canvas, leather, neoprene or cloth: choosing the material
Pick for how the vehicle is used:
- Canvas seat covers for farm and work bakkies: tough, breathable, and they shrug off mud and dog hair
- Leatherette (PU or PVC vinyl): wipes clean, good for taxis, fleets and families
- Leather seat covers: smart, cost more and need conditioning
- Neoprene: water resistant, for surfers, anglers and 4x4s
- Cloth: cool and soft in a daily car
Dark colours hide dirt but get hot in an open parking lot. For the materials themselves, see leather and vinyl.
Fitting, side airbags and care
Many seats have side airbags in the seat backs. A cover over them must have a matching tear seam or an opening so the airbag can deploy, so ask the maker how their covers handle airbag seats, and do not pull a universal cover over one. Covers fit with elastic, hooks and straps under the seat; a good fitter tucks them so they do not ride up. Shake canvas out and wash it as the maker advises, and wipe leatherette with a damp cloth. Loose covers rub through faster, so recheck the straps after a month.
Seat covers for bakkies, taxis and fleets: price and questions
The price depends on the material, how many rows, whether the rear seat splits, headrest and armrest covers, and whether the maker already has a pattern for your seats. Fleet and taxi orders are often priced per set. Ask:
- Are the covers cut for my vehicle, or adjusted from a general pattern?
- Are they airbag compatible, and how?
- Do you fit them, or do I?
If the foam under the cover has collapsed, a cover will not fix it; ask about seat repairs first.
What to include in your request
- Vehicle type, year and body shape
- Front seats, rear seats or both
- Split rear seat and armrests
- Side airbags in the seat backs
- Material and colour
Custom Car Seat Covers for homes, cars and businesses
- Homeowners and tenants: the family car that carries children, a dog and wet towels every weekend
- Restaurants, hotels, guesthouses and lodges: lodge and guesthouse shuttle vehicles that need tidy, wipe-clean seats for guests
- Offices and businesses: company cars and reps' vehicles kept clean for a better resale value
- Car, bakkie and taxi owners: taxi owners, fleet managers and dealers covering seats in bulk, vehicle by vehicle
- Boats, caravans and 4x4s: 4x4s, campers and game drive vehicles facing dust, mud and wet gear
- Clinics, salons, spas and gyms: home-care and clinic vehicles that need seats that are easy to wipe down
- Churches, schools and halls: municipal and school vehicles covered in tough canvas or vinyl for daily use
- Upholsterers, makers, designers and DIYers: builders, plumbers and farmers protecting bakkie seats from dirty work clothes
Frequently asked questions
How much do car seat covers cost?
Are fitted seat covers safe with side airbags?
Which seat covers are best for a bakkie?
Do you make the seat covers?
Custom Car Seat Covers by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg