These are the most popular and sought-after second hand cars in South Africa

New data from AutoTrader shows that Volkswagen was the most-searched-for automotive brand in the first half of the year in South Africa, while Toyota Hilux was the most-searched-for vehicle range, and the VW Golf GTI was the most-searched-for vehicle model on AutoTrader.

The Toyota Hilux was also the most-enquired-on car during this time, pointing to the fact that this is the pre-owned vehicle that local motorists are the most interested in purchasing.

AutoTrader’s latest mid-year industry report covers searches performed on the classifieds site between January and June 2022. It found that between August 2019 and December 2021, double & single cab bakkies commanded the most searches.

However, in 2022, the trend reverted back to pre-lockdown. The top three most searched for models attracted 11.6% of all model searches, up from the 9.4% experienced in the first half of 2021. The most searched-for model, with 4.3% of the total search share, was the Toyota Hilux – 12.6 million searches.

The second most searched-for Model was the Volkswagen Golf, with 3.9% of the total search share (11.3 million searches).

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class was third, generating 3.4% of the total search share (9.9 million searches). The top 10 most-searched-for models remained the same as the first six months of 2021, AutoTrader said.

Model-based searches continue to be the most popular of all search types on the AutoTrader platform

The top 10 most searched variants have seen a change in rank, said the online dealership, with one new entrant being the 10th most searched for – Volkswagen Polo 1.2TSI replacing Audi RS3 2.5 – versus the first six months of 2021.

The Volkswagen Golf GTI is still the most searched-for variant, said Autotrader. The Volkswagen Polo GTI was again the second, followed by the Volkswagen Golf R, receiving 0.69% of the total share.

From early 2021, the most viewed variant changed from the Volkswagen Golf GTI to the Toyota Hilux 2.8GD-6, with this trend continuing into the first half of 2022.

During this period, the Toyota Hilux 2.8GD-6 received 2.9 million advert views (2.08% total share), with the Golf GTI generating 2.89 million views (2.07% total share). The third most viewed variant was the Volkswagen Polo 1.0TSI, with a total share of 1.9% (2.6 million).

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