Used car sales in South Africa skyrocketed in January 2026, reaching approximately $892 million. According to data from AutoTrader, a digital platform for buying and selling vehicles, transactions increased to 34,452 units in the month, up 12% from December 2025 and up 11% from January 2025.
Industry observers believe the figures are a clear sign of resilience in the used car market, despite broader economic pressures. The total value of used car sales reached approximately $892 million, based on the prevailing exchange rate of around $0.0623 per South African rand. This represented double-digit growth in both monthly and year-on-year terms.
In terms of brands, Toyota maintained its market leadership, selling 5,876 used cars. This figure represents an increase over the previous month and the same period last year, with four of the ten best-selling models. Volkswagen came in second with 4,733 units, while Ford took third place with 3,577 units, more than half of which were Ranger pickups.
Toyota recorded a monthly increase of 17%, while Suzuki showed the strongest monthly growth, at 25%. Hyundai recorded the largest year-on-year increase, with a 45% rise compared to the previous year.
BMW was the only major brand to record a decline in monthly terms, although it still achieved a slight year-on-year increase. Mercedes-Benz and Nissan suffered the sharpest annual declines among the major brands.
Although Toyota leads the market overall, the Ford Ranger remains the most popular individual model in the country. With 2,069 units sold in January, the pickup truck recorded a 6.3% increase over the previous year.
Its closest competitor, the Toyota Hilux, recorded 1,604 sales, with growth virtually identical to that of the Ranger. The Volkswagen Polo Vivo and Polo were also among the best-selling models, underscoring continued interest in compact hatchbacks.
Interest in smaller, more affordable vehicles stood out as one of the trends shaping the current sales landscape. The Suzuki Swift surpassed the Toyota Fortuner in the overall model rankings, with nearly 800 units sold and a year-on-year increase of close to 25%.
Other models also recorded substantial gains, namely the Corolla Cross and the Hyundai Grand i10, whose sales increased by more than 40% and around 72%, respectively.
In terms of versions, the Volkswagen Polo Vivo 1.4 topped the table with 1,044 units sold, followed by the Polo 1.0 TSI, the Toyota Hilux 2.8, and the Ford Ranger XL. The results reflect a broader shift in consumer preferences, with used car buyers balancing factors such as practicality, value, and reliability in their purchasing decisions.
Overall, January’s results suggest that the South African used car market remains active and competitive, serving as a barometer of broader trends in consumption and mobility.
Source: Business Insider Africa
