South Africa’s Used Car Market Closes 2025 on a High Note Despite December Dip

December 2025 provided a strong, if slightly tempered, finish for South Africa’s used car market. While month-on-month (MoM) sales eased after two blockbuster months, year-on-year (YoY) figures tell a story of resilience and growth, underscoring a robust performance across the year.

According to AutoTrader, South Africa’s leading marketplace for new and used vehicles, 30,742 used cars changed hands in December 2025. This reflected a MoM decline of -8.77% from November’s 33,697 vehicles and October’s 36,042, yet represented a YoY increase of +16.34% over December 2024, when 26,424 units were sold. The total value of these transactions reached R12.89 billion, a MoM dip of -6.93% from November but a remarkable +19.46% YoY rise.

Brand Performance: Toyota Dominates, Hyundai & Suzuki Surge

Toyota maintained its stronghold on the market, selling 5,039 vehicles in December 2025. While this was slightly lower than November’s 5,741 units (-12.23% MoM), YoY sales grew +11.14%, with Toyota models occupying 40% of the top 10 best-selling used cars. Volkswagen followed in second with 4,299 units (-9.99% MoM, +7.66% YoY), and Ford secured third place (-9.78% MoM, +10.14% YoY).

Notably, growth was particularly strong further down the list. Hyundai and Suzuki, in fourth and fifth positions, posted impressive YoY gains of +52.59% and +48.09% respectively, while Kia and Renault also saw solid increases. Premium brands faced mixed fortunes, with Mercedes-Benz down -7.37%, Nissan slightly declining by -0.60%, and BMW posting a modest +13.65% YoY rise.

Ford Ranger Remains Unchallenged

The Ford Ranger continued its reign as the most sought-after used vehicle, selling 1,744 units in December. Although below November’s near-2,000-unit figure, the Ranger still posted a YoY increase of +6.28%. The Toyota Hilux followed in second place, achieving +7.54% YoY growth with 1,312 units sold, while the Volkswagen Polo Vivo narrowly outpaced the Polo by a single unit (1,262 vs 1,261), reflecting fierce competition for third place.

Other notable performers included the Toyota Fortuner (622 units, -0.96% YoY), Suzuki Swift (615 units, +39.77% YoY), and Hyundai Grand i10 (504 units), which recorded a staggering +95.35% YoY increase, demonstrating the rising popularity of practical, affordable urban vehicles.

Market Trends: Bakkies and Hatchbacks Lead the Charge

Bakkies and compact hatchbacks dominated the used car landscape in December. The Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux held their traditional appeal among buyers, while the Polo Vivo’s narrow victory over the Polo highlighted urban South Africans’ preference for small, versatile hatchbacks. The top 10 list also saw the growing presence of budget-friendly and practical crossovers, replacing some traditional premium models like the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

Average prices remained healthy, with the typical used car fetching R419,537, up from R411,084 in November and R408,516 in December 2024. Average mileage across sold vehicles stood at 72,433 km, slightly higher than the previous month but lower than the 75,779 km recorded in December 2024.

Looking Ahead

“After two very strong months, it’s not surprising to see sales ease slightly in December,” commented George Mienie, CEO of AutoTrader. “What really stands out is the year-on-year growth. Volumes are up, the total value of used cars sold is higher, and demand for popular models like bakkies and hatchbacks remains strong. It’s a solid way to end the year and points to a used car market that stayed resilient throughout 2025.”

The final month of 2025 proved that while momentum may fluctuate month-to-month, South Africa’s appetite for quality used cars remains robust, setting a promising stage for 2026.

Top 10 Used Models – December 2025