In South Africa’s diverse automotive market, the three most popular used cars landscape across the nine provinces: the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, and VW Polo. Each vehicle holds the top spot in three provinces, showcasing regional preferences shaped by geography, lifestyle, and demand.
Top Choices Across Provinces
According to AutoTrader’s mid-2024 data, the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, and VW Polo are the leading picks in used cars. The Ford Ranger was the most enquired-upon used car from January to June in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and North West. Known for its resilience and adaptability, the Ranger’s appeal lies in its robustness for both rural and semi-urban terrain.
Meanwhile, the Toyota Hilux led the charts in the Eastern Cape, Limpopo, and Northern Cape, underscoring its popularity in areas where durability and reliability are highly valued, particularly on tougher roads. For more urbanized provinces like the Free State, Gauteng, and the Western Cape, the VW Polo emerged as the top choice, reflecting its appeal in densely populated areas.
Regional Preferences: A Reflection of Local Needs
Different regions shape vehicle preferences, with terrain, local culture, and economic conditions influencing consumer choices. In urban areas like Gauteng, vehicles like the VW Polo thrive due to their compact design and fuel efficiency, well-suited to city living. Conversely, provinces with rugged terrains, like the Northern Cape, show a preference for vehicles like the Hilux and Ranger that offer durability and versatility.
Most Enquired-On Models in 2024
Interest in these top models was significant in the first half of 2024. The VW Polo generated the highest number of enquiries, attracting attention from 41,845 potential buyers. The Ford Ranger came in second with 14,199 enquiries, while the Toyota Hilux followed with 4,545. This trend reflects the higher population density in areas favoring the Polo, while less populous areas lean toward the Ranger and Hilux, suited to varying terrains.
Leading Used Car Sales and Pricing in 2024
From January to July 2024, a total of 172,668 used passenger vehicles were sold nationwide, with an average sale price of R406,445. The typical pre-owned car had an age of five years and a mileage averaging 74,989 km. Notably, the average sold price for these vehicles was around 9% lower than the average market listing prices, as noted by AutoTrader.
Leading Used Car Sales by Model (January – July 2024)
| Rank | Model | Units Sold | Brand |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ford Ranger | 9,669 | Ford |
| 2 | Toyota Hilux | 8,475 | Toyota |
| 3 | VW Polo | 7,314 | Volkswagen |
| 4 | Toyota Fortuner | 6,120 | Toyota |
| 5 | Ford EcoSport | 5,850 | Ford |
| 6 | VW Golf | 5,540 | Volkswagen |
| 7 | Nissan NP200 | 5,210 | Nissan |
| 8 | Hyundai i20 | 4,980 | Hyundai |
| 9 | Toyota Corolla | 4,870 | Toyota |
| 10 | BMW 3 Series | 4,720 | BMW |
Toyota ranked as the most popular brand overall, moving 28,912 units, followed closely by VW with 23,742, and Ford with 18,132 units. Despite Toyota’s stronghold on brand popularity, the Ford Ranger claimed the title of most sought-after model, selling 9,669 units. The Toyota Hilux followed with 8,475 units, and the VW Polo was third with 7,314 units.
Most Popular Used Cars: Consistent Demand
Interestingly, the ten best-selling used car models in South Africa made up 29% of the total used car sales, maintaining the same proportion as in previous years. This consistency underscores the sustained popularity of specific models, with South Africans favoring vehicles known for their reliability, affordability, and adaptability to the country’s varying conditions.
Conclusion
South Africa’s used car market reflects diverse preferences shaped by regional needs and lifestyles. While the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, and VW Polo dominate the sales charts, each province’s top choice reveals unique consumer priorities, whether it’s the Ranger’s toughness for rural terrains, the Hilux’s reliability in demanding conditions, or the Polo’s efficiency in urban environments. For anyone looking to invest in a used car, these models offer insights into reliability and popularity across South Africa’s automotive landscape.
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