January 2026 used car sales surge as South Africa opens the year with double-digit growth

A total of 34,452 vehicles were sold, with every top 10 model recording year-on-year gains and compact, affordable cars rising fast.

It’s a positive and strong start to 2026, with the used car market showing notable month-on-month (MoM) and year-on-year (YoY) growth, according to the latest used car data from AutoTrader. Following a strong year like 2025 was always going to be a challenge, but the resilient local market has started the year with growth across the board, showing promising momentum for the months ahead.

A total of 34,452 vehicles were sold in January 2026, well ahead of December 2025 (30,742) and January 2025 (30,961). This represents a strong MoM increase of +12.07% and a YoY increase of +11.28%.

The most popular brands remain unchanged, with Toyota maintaining its enviable position as the best-selling automaker on the South African used car market. A total of 5,876 vehicles were sold, up from December 2025 (5,039) and January 2025 (5,330). As has been the case for several months, Toyota accounts for 40% of the top 10 best-selling used cars, highlighting the marque’s strong hold on the local used car market.

Volkswagen, in second place, registered 4,733 units, while Ford delivered 3,577 (with more than 50% of those being the Ranger).

Toyota recorded one of the highest MoM increases, up +17% compared to December 2025, and +10% YoY. However, Suzuki saw the greatest MoM improvement at +25%, while Korean brand Hyundai achieved the strongest YoY growth at an impressive +45%. The only brand to post an MoM decline was BMW, down -4% compared to December 2025, though it still managed a +5% YoY increase. The biggest YoY declines came from Mercedes-Benz and Nissan, both down -10% year-on-year.

While Toyota continues to lead at a brand level, the Ford Ranger remains the country’s most popular used vehicle model, with a staggering 2,069 units sold in January 2026, a +6.3% YoY increase. In second place, its closest rival, the Toyota Hilux, registered 1,604 units, with near-identical YoY growth of +6.2%.

The Polo Vivo and Polo once again retained their strong positions, placing third and fourth, respectively.

Notably, none of the vehicles in the top 10 recorded a year-on-year decline, although some models surged ahead more than others. The Suzuki Swift, for example, has overtaken the long-standing fifth-place holder, the Toyota Fortuner, with 794 units sold and a +24.6% YoY increase. This highlights the growing trend of local consumers increasingly seeking out more compact and affordable used vehicles.

Further down the list, the Corolla Cross (7th place) climbed +42.8% YoY to 651 units, while the Hyundai Grand i10 saw a remarkable +71.9% increase, rising from 320 units in January 2025 to 550 in January 2026.

“January’s performance shows just how resilient and adaptable the South African used car market has become,” said George Mienie, CEO of AutoTrader. “Starting the year with double-digit month-on-month and year-on-year growth, especially off a strong 2025 base, is a clear signal of sustained consumer demand. What’s particularly encouraging is the breadth of this growth, from trusted stalwarts like Toyota and Ford to rapidly rising brands such as Hyundai and Suzuki. Buyers are clearly balancing dependability with affordability, and that shift towards value-driven models bodes well for a healthy, active used car market in 2026.”

In January 2026, the used car market showed the following key figures:

• The cumulative value of used cars reached R14.32 billion in January 2026, representing a MoM increase of +11.05% from December 2025 (R12.89 billion) and a YoY increase of +13.80% from January 2025 (R12.59 billion).
• The average price of a used vehicle sat at R416,082 in January 2026, down from R419,537 in December 2025 and up from R406,693 in January 2025.
• The average mileage decreased to 70,938 km in January 2026, compared to 72,433 km in December 2025 and 74,041 km in January 2025.

On a variant level, the Volkswagen Polo Vivo 1.4 continues to lead the market, with 1,044 units sold. The Volkswagen Polo 1.0 TSI follows with 791 examples, ahead of the Toyota Hilux 2.8 GD-6 (694) and the Ford Ranger XL (689). Rounding out the top five is the Toyota Hilux 2.4 GD-6, with 569 units sold.

Bakkies and compact hatchbacks continued to dominate South Africa’s used car market in January 2025, with the Ford Ranger firmly holding onto its top spot, the Toyota Hilux maintaining strong demand, and the Polo Vivo once again edging ahead of the Polo as a popular choice among urban buyers.

Top 10 sold used models in January 2026

Source: AutoTrader Used Car Sales Data: 1 – 31 January 2026