Top 3 Brands Dominating South Africa’s Used Car Market in 2025

South Africa’s used car market in 2025 continues to be driven by three powerhouse brands: Toyota, Volkswagen (VW), and Ford. According to the latest analysis by Lightstone Auto, these three automakers collectively account for more than 50% of all financed second-hand vehicle sales this year — a clear indication of their continued dominance in the pre-owned vehicle segment.

Market Leaders: Toyota, VW, and Ford

Toyota leads the pack with an 18% market share, followed closely by Volkswagen at just under 18%, while Ford maintains a solid third place with nearly 14%. These three brands have not only stood the test of time but also adapted to changing buyer preferences in a challenging economy.

Popular models like the Ford Ranger double-cab bakkie and VW Polo Vivo hatchback each command 6% of financed used vehicle sales, while the VW Polo follows closely behind at 5%. Toyota’s reliable Hilux and the affordable Suzuki Swift also remain highly sought after, rounding out the top-performing models in the used segment.

Trends Over Time

Lightstone Auto data analyst Andrew Hibbert notes that four out of the top five models have consistently remained on the leaderboard since 2020, showing strong brand loyalty among consumers. While these core models maintain a stronghold, the rest of the top 10 has seen frequent reshuffling, with various other vehicle types competing for position.

One of the most notable shifts in the used car landscape is the growing popularity of Chinese brands, particularly Chery and GWM (Great Wall Motors). These automakers have climbed into the top 15 most financed used car brands in South Africa — a significant rise driven by affordable pricing and increasing brand recognition.

This surge in demand for Asian imports is placing added pressure on more established, locally entrenched brands. In its 2025 Integrated Annual Report, Combined Motor Holdings (CMH) CEO Jebb McIntosh stated that the flood of low-cost imports from China and India is reshaping the competitive dynamics of the local auto industry. CMH, which represents a wide range of well-known brands, including Ford, Mazda, Nissan, and Land Rover, reports that sales volumes are under strain due to these disruptive entrants.

Key Features of South Africa’s Used Car Market in 2025

Feature	Details
Top 3 Brands	Toyota (18%), Volkswagen (~18%), Ford (~14%)
Most Popular Used Models	Ford Ranger D/C, VW Polo Vivo, VW Polo, Toyota Hilux, Suzuki Swift
Chinese Brands on the Rise	Chery and GWM entering Top 15
Indian Influence	Low-cost imports increasing from India
Longstanding Top Models	4 out of top 5 models have stayed popular since 2020
Emerging Market Pressure	Traditional brands facing strain due to affordability competition
Share of Other Brands Combined	Just over 10% of the total financed used car market

Market Snapshot: Top 15 Used Car Brands in 2025

A breakdown of current market shares for the top brands:

Toyota – 18%
Volkswagen (VW) – just under 18%
Ford – just under 14%
Suzuki – just under 8%
Nissan – just under 6%
BMW – just under 6%
Hyundai – just over 4%
Audi – around 3%
Isuzu – around 3%
Haval – just under 2%
Mahindra
Mazda
Chery
Land Rover
GWM

The remaining automakers outside the top 15 collectively contribute slightly over 10% of the total financed used car sales, indicating a highly concentrated market.

Familiar Brands Still Rule, But Disruption Is Knocking

While Toyota, VW, and Ford continue to dominate South Africa’s second-hand car market in 2025, new challengers are steadily gaining traction, especially from Chinese and Indian manufacturers. With affordability becoming a key factor for consumers in a tough economic climate, the used car market is poised for further transformation in the years ahead.