Used Car Market Faces December Dip, But New Car Sales Reflect Positive Year-On-Year Growth

Used car sales dipped in December, but new car sales showed promising year-on-year growth. Here’s how South Africa’s automotive market performed last month.

Following a strong performance in November 2024, new and used car sales experienced a seasonal slowdown in December. While December is typically one of the weakest months for car sales, used car sales remained steady year-on-year. Notably, new vehicle sales increased, reflecting sustained positive sentiment among buyers.

The latest industry data from AutoTrader reveals a decline in used car sales compared to the strong performance recorded in November. In December, 26,424 used vehicles were sold, marking a -17.8% month-on-month drop from November’s total of 32,158. The combined value of used cars sold in December amounted to R10.79 billion, a decrease of R2.25 billion from November 2024, reflecting a -17.26% month-on-month decline.

While the decline is notable, it’s important to acknowledge that December is typically one of the weakest months for vehicle sales in a 12-month period. Compared to December 2023, when 26,846 used vehicles were sold, the year-on-year decrease was a modest -1.6%.

“Despite the seasonal slowdown in December, the used car market continues to demonstrate resilience, with year-on-year sales remaining steady,” said George Mienie, CEO of AutoTrader. “This stability reflects the enduring appeal of pre-owned vehicles, offering affordability and value in an ever-changing economic landscape. 

“The strong sales performance of the Polo, Polo Vivo, and Fortuner highlights South African motorists’ demand for practical vehicles. Moreover, it’s worth noting that all of these models are manufactured locally, further supporting the strength of our automotive industry,” added Mienie. 

What about the new car segment? According to naamsa | The Automotive Business Council, 29,775 new passenger cars were sold in South Africa in December 2024. This reflects an +8.2% year-on-year increase compared to December 2023, despite a -16.3% decline from November 2024. It’s worth noting that the rise in December 2024 sales can be attributed to rental sales, which accounted for 19.5% of total passenger car sales.

The average price of a used car in December 2024 rose by nearly R2,000 compared to December 2023, increasing from R406,715 to R408,516. While the average registration age remained steady at five years, the average mileage dropped from 76,487 km in December 2023 to 75,724 km in December 2024.

On the used car market, the most popular passenger vehicle was the Volkswagen Polo, with 1,243 examples sold. The Polo Vivo and Toyota Fortuner followed at 1,041 and 628 units, respectively, while the Mercedes-Benz C-Class performed relatively well (particularly for a premium vehicle) with 476 models sold. 

The Volkswagen Polo Vivo is the new car market’s top seller, with 1,946 units sold. The Toyota Corolla Cross came in second (1,526), followed by the Suzuki Swift (1,376).

Top 10 Sold Used Models in December 2024

Source: AutoTrader Used Car Sales Data: 1 – 31 December 2024