Discover the most popular used cars in South Africa for December 2024, including pricing, mileage, and age data from AutoTrader.
Used Car Sales South Africa: Top Performers in December 2024
The South African used car market remained robust in December 2024, despite a typical seasonal slowdown. Data from AutoTrader reveals the top-performing models and prevailing market trends in Used Car Sales South Africa.
Ford Ranger Leads the Pack
The Ford Ranger maintained its position as the top-selling used vehicle, with 1,641 units finding new owners. The average price for a used Ranger in December was R494,415, with an average age of five years and an average mileage of 75,893km. This demonstrates the continued popularity of bakkies in the Used Car Sales South Africa market.
VW Polo and Toyota Hilux Follow Closely
The Volkswagen Polo secured the second spot, with 1,243 units sold at an average price of R263,447. The Toyota Hilux, another perennial favorite, came in third, with 1,220 units sold for an average of R452,038. These three models consistently dominate the Best-Selling Used Cars lists.
Top 10 Best-Selling Used Cars
Here’s a breakdown of the top 10 best-selling used cars in South Africa for December 2024, according to AutoTrader data:
- Ford Ranger: 1,641 units
Avg. Price: R494,415 | Avg. Mileage: 75,893km | Avg. Age: 5 years - VW Polo: 1,243 units
Avg. Price: R263,447 | Avg. Mileage: 72,042km | Avg. Age: 6 years - Toyota Hilux: 1,220 units
Avg. Price: R452,038 | Avg. Mileage: 111,083km | Avg. Age: 5 years - VW Polo Vivo: 1,041 units
Avg. Price: R201,064 | Avg. Mileage: 57,366km | Avg. Age: 4 years - Toyota Fortuner: 628 units
Avg. Price: R464,114 | Avg. Mileage: 107,053km | Avg. Age: 7 years - Mercedes-Benz C-Class: 476 units
Avg. Price: R408,791 | Avg. Mileage: 98,208km | Avg. Age: 8 years - Toyota Corolla Cross: 442 units
Avg. Price: R395,954 | Avg. Mileage: 23,055km | Avg. Age: 3 years - Suzuki Swift: 440 units
Avg. Price: R193,094 | Avg. Mileage: 38,409km | Avg. Age: 8 years - Toyota Starlet: 425 units
Avg. Price: R234,640 | Avg. Mileage: 33,445km | Avg. Age: 3 years - BMW 3 Series: 378 units
Avg. Price: R380,417 | Avg. Mileage: 110,212km | Avg. Age: 10 years
The list highlights the popularity of hatchbacks, bakkies, and SUVs in the South African market. It’s also interesting to note the presence of premium brands like Mercedes-Benz and BMW, indicating a demand for used luxury vehicles. While price is a major factor, reliability is also a key consideration for used car buyers; some models, like those highlighted in Auto24’s analysis of the most reliable used cars in SA, consistently perform well over time.
Market Trends and Overall Sales
The total value of used cars sold in December 2024 reached R10.79 billion, a 17.26% decrease from November’s R13.04 billion. However, the average price of used vehicles sold in December (R408,516) was slightly higher than both November 2024 (R405,713) and December 2023 (R406,715).
“December 2024 continued to demonstrate resilience in the used car market, with solid sales despite the typical seasonal slowdown,” said George Mienie, CEO of AutoTrader. “While the month saw a dip compared to November, the year-on-year performance remains strong, showcasing the enduring demand for used cars.”
In terms of brand preference, Toyota led in December with 4,534 used vehicles sold, followed by Volkswagen (3,993) and Ford (2,839). All three brands experienced month-on-month declines, with Ford seeing the largest drop at -22%.
Final Thoughts: A Resilient Used Car Market
The Used Car Sales South Africa market showed resilience in December 2024, with strong demand across various segments. Whether you’re interested in affordable hatchbacks, rugged bakkies, or luxury vehicles, the used car market remains an attractive option in South Africa.
Which used car brand do you think offers the best value for money? Share your opinion in the comments!
