South Africa's used car market continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience, with the latest AutoTrader data for April 2026 painting a picture of a nation of buyers who are cautious yet committed.
Some 30 971 used vehicles changed hands during the month, representing an 8% year-on-year increase on the 28 675 units sold in April 2025. A month-on-month dip of 6.6% from March's 33 164 sales is largely explained by three public holidays that reduced available trading days rather than any fundamental softening of demand.
Toyota once again topped the brand standings with 5 148 units sold, holding comfortably clear of Volkswagen in second place on 4 037 units and Ford in third with 3 061. Ford's Ranger bakkie remained the single most popular used vehicle in the country with 1 706 sales, followed by the Toyota Hilux on 1 329 and the Volkswagen Polo on 1 160. The durability and load-carrying practicality of these bakkies clearly resonate with buyers who treat a vehicle as a long-term investment rather than a short-term indulgence.
Perhaps the more telling story lies in the budget hatchback segment, where fuel efficiency and low running costs are driving extraordinary growth. The Suzuki Swift surged 66.1% year-on-year to 789 units, the Hyundai Grand i10 leapt 74.6% to 557 units, and the Toyota Corolla Cross posted a 47.7% rise to 644 sales. By contrast, the Toyota Fortuner slipped two places to seventh with just 598 sales, a sign that larger, thirstier vehicles face growing scrutiny at the forecourt.
AutoTrader CEO George Mienie noted that buyers are now factoring in the full cost of ownership, from fuel and finance through to maintenance and resale value, rather than focusing solely on the purchase price. That shift in mindset is reflected in the average transaction figure, which stood at R423 329 in April, slightly below March's R431 879 but ahead of the R420 771 recorded a year earlier.
The average mileage of sold vehicles also continued its downward trend, falling to 71 460 km from 74 739 km in April 2025, suggesting buyers are increasingly prepared to pay a modest premium for a cleaner, lower-mileage example. South Africa's used car market, it seems, is spending with a sharper pencil.
- Source: AutoTrader South Africa, April 2026
Staff Writer
Reporting from the front lines of the automotive industry, delivering expert analysis and the technical updates that drive the South African motor sector forward.
