January Used Car Market Holds Steady As New Car Sales Surge

The automotive industry has started the year off positively, with strong sales in both the new and used car segments. January is typically one of the better-performing months in terms of sales, and this is reflected in steady used car sales and increasing new vehicle sales, reflecting strengthening confidence amongst South African consumers. 

Data from South Africa’s most trusted motoring marketplace, AutoTrader, shows strong used car sales, even against January 2024’s exceptional performance. In January 2025, 30,961 used cars were sold—a +17.2% increase from December 2024’s 26,424. Year-on-year, sales dipped slightly by just -0.1% from the 30,996 vehicles sold in January 2024.

January sees strong sales for several reasons. Dealerships are often eager to clear out existing stock, offering discounts to attract customers. Many consumers are looking for a deal in the new year, making it an appealing time to buy a vehicle, especially with holiday promotions often extending into January.

“January’s strong performance in both the new and used car segments reflects growing consumer confidence and a resilient automotive market,” commented AutoTrader CEO George Mienie. The steady demand for used vehicles, even against last year’s figures, shows the sustained activity in this space. Meanwhile, despite shifting purchasing trends, the rise in new car sales demonstrates the adaptability of buyers and the industry alike.”

In January 2025, naamsa | The Automotive Business Council reported 34,530 new car sales, an +18.3% increase compared to January 2024, when 29,181 units were sold. This shows a positive trend, with January 2025 sales also surpassing the 29,585 units sold in December 2024.

The average value of new cars financed dropped from R391,287 in January 2024 to R361,594 (a -7.6% decline), indicating consumers are turning to more affordable models in the new car market1. 

On the used car market, the average selling price in January 2025 increased by nearly R8,000 compared to January 2024, rising from R398,775 to R406,693. Interestingly, the average cost of a new car sold in December 2024 was R408,516, suggesting buyers could take advantage of discounts during January. Year-on-year, the average registration age is lower at five years (compared to six in Jan 2024), while the average mileage has dropped from 76,668 km in January 2024 to 73,980 km in January 2025.

The Volkswagen Polo was the best-selling used passenger car in January 2025, selling 1,270 units, followed by the Polo Vivo (1,219) and the Toyota Fortuner (670). The Suzuki Swift is becoming more popular on the used car market, selling 637 units last month. 

When it comes to new car sales, the Suzuki Swift has surged ahead of the established strong sellers, with an impressive 2,628 examples sold last month. This makes the little Japanese hatchback the best-selling new passenger car in January 2025, beating out the likes of the Polo Vivo (2,549) and the Toyota Starlet (2,180).

Top 10 Sold Used Models in January 2025

Source: AutoTrader Used Car Sales Data: 1 – 31 January 2025 

Source: 

1. Wesbank Car Finance Data