Cheaper imports are fuelling new and used car market vehicle sales in South Africa.
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Established leaders in the car market remain strong in sales, compact hatchbacks are moving quickly, SUVs retain their dominance, Chinese brands are gaining measurable ground, and electrified vehicles are growing in relevance.
These are some of the key findings in the 2025 AutoTrader Annual Car Industry Report released Friday, which accumulated data from more than 20 automotive brands and reflected the behaviour of more than 46 million users of AutoTrader, an online vehicle marketplace in South Africa.
These findings correlate broadly with data on the new vehicle market released by the vehicle financing company Wesbank, which showed online, that the new car market has shown 10 consecutive months of increased volumes, reaching pre-COVID levels and, in some months, the highest in a decade, with the Volkswagen Polo Vivo leading the new car market early this year, followed by the Suzuki Swift and Chery Tiggo 4.
AutoTrader said its findings on the used car market were generated from 156 million sessions, where 649 million searches were conducted, some 439 million adverts were viewed, and 984 million pages on AutoTrader were opened.
“The used car market delivered solid growth. A total of 383,410 used vehicles were sold in 2025, generating R160,1 billion in sales value, representing a 7% increase over 2024. Four interest rate cuts in January, May, July, and November reduced borrowing costs and provided meaningful relief to consumers,” George Mienie, CEO of AutoTrader, said in a statement.
However, while economic conditions improved, “buyer behaviour remained disciplined. If anything, 2025 reinforced how firmly affordability and practicality now anchor local purchasing decisions,” he said.
Search behaviour shifted at brand and model level. BMW reclaimed position as the most-searched brand on AutoTrader, with 76 million searches. On a model level, the Volkswagen Polo was the most-searched, displacing Toyota Hilux from its long-standing leadership position.
While search interest shifted, the same leaders were there. The Ford Ranger, Volkswagen Polo Vivo, and Toyota Hilux continued to dominate overall sales volumes, indicating the strength of established nameplates in the used market.
The Ford Ranger maintained position as the most-enquired vehicle, highlighting sustained demand for bakkies despite growing cost pressures.
Compact hatchbacks have gained significant momentum in the South African used car market, with models such as the Suzuki Swift and Toyota Starlet capturing a larger share of the market.
The Swift stood out as the fastest-selling used vehicle in South Africa, averaging just 26 days before sale. “That turnaround time reflects strong underlying demand for vehicles that are affordable to finance, efficient to run, and practical for everyday use,” Mienie said.
The average used car price increased moderately by 3% year-on-year to R417,584.
The average used car model year advanced from 2019 to 2020, with the average vehicle age holding steady at five years. The average mileage of sold cars came in at 73,646 km.
A significant structural shift came from Chinese manufacturers. Across 12 Chinese brands, year-on-year performance was strong: Searches increased by 48%, enquiries grew by 74%, and sales increased by 49%.
“While this growth comes off a smaller base compared to legacy manufacturers, the consistency across searches, engagement, and transactions signals more than curiosity in Chinese brands such as Haval, Jaecoo, and Chery,” said Mienie.
New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) recorded sales increasing by 73% year-on-year. Hybrids accounted for 76% of NEV sales, underscoring their role as the dominant electrified option in the South African used car market.
Battery electric vehicles also showed strong growth, rising 55% year-on-year. Models such as the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid and Volvo EX30 were among the segment leaders.
“Buyers are still active, but they are more deliberate and value-driven than ever before," said Mienie.
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