Used-car sales in South Africa jumped in January 2026, extending the rebound recorded during 2025 and highlighting strong demand across various brands and models.
Data from AutoTrader shows that 34,452 used vehicles were sold in January, marking a 12 percent increase from December 2025 and an 11 percent rise compared to January 2025.
Analysts view these numbers as evidence of the pre-owned market’s resilience, even amid broader economic challenges. The total value of transactions reached around $892 million, based on an exchange rate of approximately 0.0623 USD per South African rand, reflecting double-digit growth both month-on-month and year-on-year.
Toyota maintained its position as the leading brand, selling 5,876 units up from both the previous month and the same period last year and securing four spots among the top ten best-selling models. Volkswagen followed in second place with 4,733 vehicles, while Ford came third with 3,577 units, over half of which were Ranger pickups.
Notably, Toyota achieved a 17 percent month-on-month increase, and Suzuki led all brands in monthly growth with a 25 percent surge. Hyundai posted the largest year-on-year jump, with sales climbing 45 percent. BMW was the only major brand to experience a month-on-month decline, although it still saw a modest increase compared to last year, while Mercedes-Benz and Nissan recorded the steepest annual drops among key brands.
Despite Toyota’s overall market dominance, the Ford Ranger remained the most sought-after individual model, with 2,069 units sold in January, up 6.3 percent from the previous year. The Toyota Hilux followed closely with 1,604 sales, mirroring a similar growth rate, while the Volkswagen Polo Vivo and Polo also featured among the top-selling models, highlighting strong demand for compact hatchbacks.
Smaller, budget-friendly vehicles have become increasingly popular. The Suzuki Swift surpassed the Toyota Fortuner in model rankings, selling nearly 800 units and posting a year-on-year increase of almost 25 percent. Other models recording significant gains included the Corolla Cross and Hyundai Grand i10, which saw sales rise more than 40 percent and nearly 72 percent, respectively.
At the variant level, the Volkswagen Polo Vivo 1.4 led with 1,044 units sold, followed by the 1.0 TSI Polo, Toyota Hilux 2.8, and Ford Ranger XL. These results underscore a broader shift in consumer preferences, with buyers increasingly prioritizing practicality, affordability, and reliability when choosing used vehicles.
Overall, the January figures indicate that South Africa’s used-car market remains dynamic and competitive, offering insight into wider trends in consumer spending and mobility.