Top-selling used cars in South Africa right now – and what to look out for before buying
Vehicle classifieds group AutoTrader has published its latest data on the used car market in South Africa, including the top sellers.
The group said that August presented a mixed picture for used car sales, showing a contraction of 8.2% year-on-year. However, there was a small positive, with monthly sales rising marginally by 1%.
August saw sales of 31,877 used cars that generated a value of just over R13 billion,down 6.8% year-on-year.
Japanese brand Toyota maintained its position as the top-selling used car brand, ahead of Volkswagen and Ford.
However, Suzuki and Kia were the only brands in the top ten to show year-on-year growth, with sales increases of 40% and 11%, respectively, and monthly growth figures of 11% and 8%.
The only change in the brand ranking was Suzuki, which outsold Nissan to move up a spot and claim 7th place.
“Facilitating that movement up the brand ranking were the 598 sales of the Suzuki Swift, a figure that equates to more than a third of Suzuki’s 1,612 sales in August. The popular Japanese hatchback, which has an average selling price of R194,248 for three-year-old models, has climbed seven places in a year from 13th to 6th position,” said AutoTrader CEO, George Mienie.
Japanese models continued to excel, with a new contender, the Toyota Starlet, making its way into the top ten most-sold used models.
Averaging a sales price of R233,635 for two-year-old models, the Toyota Starlet posted sales of 482 units, helping the hatchback climb from eleventh to tenth place in August.
Still, with sales of 1,930 units, it was the Ford Ranger that continued to head up model sales ahead of bakkie opponent Toyota Hilux and the Volkswagen Polo.
Retaining the variant sales trophy was the VW Polo Vivo 1.4 with 942 transactions ahead of stablemate VW Polo 1.0TSI and bakkie Toyota Hilux 2.8GD-6.
While the average used car price is still up 1.5% year-on-year, the good news is that in August the average selling price of a used car declined by a smidgen to R408,488, a 0.2% month-on-month reduction.
Top-selling used cars in South Africa
| # | Model | Sold | Avg Price | Mileage | Avg Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ford Ranger | 1,930 | R465,136 | 80,540 | 5yrs |
| 2 | Toyota Hilux | 1,423 | R454,384 | 103,231 | 6yrs |
| 3 | Volkswagen Polo | 1,329 | R261,705 | 71,806 | 6yrs |
| 4 | Volkswagen Polo Vivo | 1,153 | R198,286 | 58,320 | 5yrs |
| 5 | Toyota Fortuner | 730 | R468,399 | 101,067 | 7yrs |
| 6 | Suzuki Swift | 598 | R194,248 | 36,157 | 3yrs |
| 7 | Mercedes Benz C-Class | 549 | R427,542 | 91,725 | 9yrs |
| 8 | Nissan NP200 | 513 | R180,891 | 74,764 | 6yrs |
| 9 | BMW 3-Series | 493 | R382,184 | 109,510 | 8yrs |
| 10 | Toyota Starlet | 482 | R233,635 | 34,925 | 3yrs |
According to MasterDrive CEO Eugene Herbert, despite the drop in August’s data, the used car market is still thriving, with South Africans searching for a used vehicle every 21 seconds.
However, he said that shoppers should make sure that pre-loved vehicles were definitely loved, flagging safety concerns for those that have not been looked after.
Herbert outlined eight key checks that any prospective buyers should look into before making a purchase, just to ensure they’re on the right track.
- Go with the professionals
“Ideally, the first tip is to select reputable vehicle dealerships. These have the support of OEMS behind them and ensure their used vehicles have undergone checks already,” he said.
Additionally, there are organisations that can provide an assessment of a vehicle and alert you to any potential issues.
- Tread tips
Check tyres for wear that may risk your safety.
“Check the Tread Wear Indicator (TWI). It should not be less than 1.6mm. If it is nearing this, negotiate tyre replacement into your deal. Additionally, look for cracks, bulges or uneven wear, which can indicate a problem with alignment or the suspension.”
- Put on the brakes
During your test drive, check the brakes.
“Apply them in different driving scenarios from an emergency stop to a gentle traffic light stop. The response should be prompt, even and have no unusual noises, grinding or squeaking. Soft brake pedals can also indicate a brake fluid change is needed or even be a sign of worn brake pads.”
- Shine the way
Do not forget the lights and turn signals.
“Ask someone to check that each light works properly. Additionally, ensure the headlight cover has not become cloudy or oxidised as this affects visibility particularly at night.”
- Servicing safety
A full service history provides transparency about whether safety maintenance was completed.
“It is a record of whether oil changes, brake checks and major services were undertaken. It provides reassurance your vehicle is at less risk of mechanical failure that can cause crashes.”
- Check the chip
Inspect all the windows.
“Even small chips affect visibility. Cracks can also quickly grow not only reducing visibility but also affecting structural strength of a windscreen.”
- Fluid savvy
Check the fluid levels.
“Low levels, dark oil or transmission fluid or a burnt smell is a sign of a potential issue but also indicates the dealership did not do their due diligence.”
- Primary safety
Do not overlook the seatbelts and airbags.
“Inspect the seatbelts for fraying and ability to retract on their own. Airbags can be problematic if the warning light remains on after starting. While airbags can last a lifetime, airbag sensors can become less effective after ten years,” said Herbert.
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