Used car market grows as buyers become more selective

According to AutoTrader’s 2026 Mid-Year Car Industry Report, 195 455 used vehicles were sold between January and June, an 8% increase compared with the same period in 2025. The total value of these transactions rose by 9% to R82.38 billion.

The average used vehicle selling price increased by just 1% to R421 499. The average vehicle sold was a 2020 model with 70 964 km on the odometer. AutoTrader says the figures point to continued demand, but also increasingly careful purchasing decisions.

Search interest and sales tell different stories:

BMW reclaimed its position as the most searched vehicle brand on AutoTrader during the first six months of the year, narrowly ahead of Volkswagen and Toyota.

BMW generated 36.26 million searches, compared with 36.06 million for Volkswagen and 34.95 million for Toyota.

The Volkswagen Polo remained the most searched model, with 6.67 million searches, followed by the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger. Performance cars also attracted substantial attention, with the BMW M3 rising to fifth place and the BMW M4 entering the top 10.

However, enquiries were more closely aligned with actual purchases. The Polo recorded 71 588 enquiries, ahead of the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux. Toyota was the most enquired about brand, followed by Volkswagen and BMW.

Smaller cars take a larger share of the market:

The Ford Ranger remained South Africa’s best-selling used vehicle, but smaller cars gained ground further down the rankings.

The Suzuki Swift moved into fifth place after selling 4 872 units, while the Hyundai Grand i10 entered the top 10 for the first time. The Toyota Starlet was tenth, while the Volkswagen Polo Vivo overtook the Polo to become the country’s third best-selling used model.

These smaller vehicles also sold relatively quickly. The Swift averaged 28 days before being sold, while the Grand i10 averaged 29 days. The Toyota Hilux and Fortuner were the fastest selling vehicles among the top 10, at an average of 27 days.

The average selling price of the top 10 models was R344 354, substantially below the overall used car average, reflecting demand for vehicles with lower purchase and running costs.

SUVs remain the leading body type

SUVs remained the largest used vehicle body type, accounting for 33% of sales. The Toyota Fortuner was the best-selling SUV, followed by the Corolla Cross and Volkswagen T Cross.

Hatchbacks also remained important, with the Polo Vivo, Polo and Swift leading the category. Among double cab bakkies, the Ford Ranger continued to dominate, selling almost twice as many units as its nearest rival.

Gauteng accounted for 55.7% of used passenger car sales, followed by the Western Cape at 18.3% and KwaZulu Natal at 13.3%. Together, the three provinces accounted for 87% of the national total.

Chinese brands convert interest into sales:

Chinese brands continued to grow faster than the wider used car market. Searches for the Chinese brands included in the report increased by 29%, while advert views rose by 61%, enquiries by 83% and sales by 57%.

BYD and Jetour each recorded a 147% increase in searches. MG, GAC, Jaecoo and Omoda also recorded strong gains. Changan, Lepas and Dongfeng entered the local market during the first half of the year, expanding the range of Chinese vehicles available.

Although established manufacturers still dominate overall used car sales, the increases in searches, enquiries and transactions indicate growing activity around Chinese brands.

New energy vehicle sales nearly double:

Used new energy vehicle sales increased by 92% year on year, with 4 703 hybrid and battery electric vehicles sold during the first half of 2026.

Hybrids accounted for 83% of these sales. The Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid remained the most popular, with 1 416 units sold, followed by the Toyota RAV4 and Haval H6.

Battery electric vehicle sales increased by 98%, while BEV listings rose by 66%. The Volvo EX30 was the best-selling used BEV, followed by the BYD Dolphin Surf and Volvo XC40.

The average BEV selling price remained 31% higher than that of a hybrid. AutoTrader notes that the price difference, together with charging and range considerations, helps explain the continued dominance of hybrids in the used new energy market.

A growing market, but a selective one:

The first half of 2026 therefore produced growth in the used car market, but the figures also point to increasingly selective buying.

The average used vehicle took 37 days to sell. At the same time, compact hatchbacks gained market share, Chinese brands increased their transactions, and new energy vehicles became a more significant part of the market.

The top 10 was led by the Ford Ranger with 11 365 sales, followed by the Toyota Hilux with 8 809 and Volkswagen Polo Vivo with 7 164. The Suzuki Swift was fifth with 4 872 sales, while the Hyundai Grand i10 was the only new entrant to the top 10.

Overall, the report shows that South Africans continued buying used vehicles despite financial pressure, while placing greater emphasis on purchase price, running costs and the type of vehicle that best fits their budgets.