Cosatu says Trevor Manuel should trade in his new wheels for something more reasonable.

The trade union federation's Patrick Craven has lambasted the Minister in the Presidency for splurging on a luxury motor vehicle, while the rest of the country is being urged to watch the spending.

Manuel admitted to buying a top of the range BMW valued at more than R1-million after the Democratic Alliance probed the purchase in Parliament.

Craven says ministers do not need expensive vehicles to do their jobs.

He recommends all ministers get rid of their expensive wheels.

"We repeat our calls for all the ministers who have bought these cars worth more than a million rand to sell them," says Craven.