The used car market in South Africa continued to expand in the first half of 2026, despite pressure on household budgets. Toyota's Automark business reported a 3% increase in sales for the current year compared to the same period last year.
Automark, a division of Toyota South Africa Motors for selling used vehicles, noted that sales grew monthly from January to August, exceeding the figures for the corresponding months in 2025. The strongest monthly result of the year was achieved in July, when 4,912 cars were sold.
This growth occurs against the backdrop of an overall increase in used car transactions. According to an AutoTrader report for mid-2026, 195,455 used vehicles were transferred during the first six months of the year, which is 8% more than in the same period of 2025. The total value of these transactions increased by 9%, reaching 82.38 billion rand.
The average price of a sold used car was 421,499 rand, an increase of only 1% year-on-year, despite the interest rate hike of 25 basis points in May. AutoTrader indicated that the average sold car was a 2020 model with 70,964 km mileage.
The data suggests that affordability remains an important factor for buyers, with smaller vehicles taking up an increasing share of completed sales. Among the fastest-selling affordable models were the Suzuki Swift and Hyundai Grand i10, and the average selling price of the 10 most popular models was 344,354 rand, significantly below the average market figure.
Toyota maintained its dominant position in the used car market. The Hilux was the best-seller in the country in the first half of the year, and Toyota was the most frequently searched brand on AutoTrader.
According to Automark data up to August, the Hilux was also the best-selling model, with 6,898 units sold. It was followed by the Corolla Cross with 4,248 units and the Starlet with 3,951 units.
The growth in used car sales is happening amidst ongoing economic pressure, as consumers face rising debt servicing costs and increased cost of living. AutoTrader CEO George Mienye stated that the market growth is driven by buyers who remain interested in vehicles but are increasingly focusing on affordability and running costs.