AutoTrader Reports Strong Growth In May 2025 Used Car Sales Reflecting Steady Demand And Shifting Buyer Preferences

Used car sales climb in May 2025, highlighting steady demand for reliable models amid shifting buyer preferences.

The South African used car market experienced positive growth in May 2025, with year-on-year (YoY) and month-on-month (MoM) increases indicating a positive consumer sentiment in the fifth month of the year. While there have been shifts in position within the top 10 best-selling used vehicles, the usual suspects continue to dominate the list, highlighting the popularity of certain vehicles among the South African buying public. 

Per the latest AutoTrader sales statistics, 31,741 used vehicles were sold in May 2025, representing YoY and MoM increases of +14.9% and +11.1%, respectively. With more active selling days and significantly fewer public holidays than April, this could be one of the reasons that used car sales figures saw a notable uptick last month. 

Maintaining its enviable position is the Ford Ranger, which remains South Africa’s favourite used vehicle. The top five models have remained unchanged for the last two months. However, some interesting shifts have occurred in the bottom half of the top 10, with the popular Toyota Corolla Cross moving up two positions and finishing in seventh place last month. 

Its more affordable sibling, the Starlet hatchback, has fallen four places into 10th position. The perennially popular Suzuki Swift has gone up one spot, and is now in sixth place, making it the third most popular used hatchback in May 2025. 

Among the top 10 best-selling brands, all marques enjoyed positive MoM growth, while three posted a decline in YoY sales figures. The top three brands—Toyota, Volkswagen, and Ford—saw MoM increases of 8%, 12%, and 9%. While that’s impressive, Suzuki posted the strongest growth (21%), followed by Mercedes-Benz (14%) and Nissan (13%). BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Nissan were the only brands to record a YoY decline, with sales down 2%, 5%, and 6%, respectively.

Changing buyer preferences are highlighted by the stark year-on-year differences between affordable hatchbacks and crossovers, as well as the only premium sedan on the list, the C-Class Mercedes. Whereas the German luxury vehicle saw a staggering -19.2% decline, the Toyota Starlet enjoyed a +32.9% YoY increase, beaten only by the Polo Vivo (34.3%) and the Corolla Cross (35.2%).

In May 2025, the cumulative value of used cars reached R13.65 billion, representing a notable +21.1% increase over May 2024 (R11.27 billion). The average price of a used vehicle has also increased considerably, to R428,627 - a MoM uptick of R7,856 and a surprising YoY increase of R21,966.

“What we’re seeing in the used car market is a continuation of long-standing consumer confidence in familiar nameplates,” commented George Mienie, CEO of AutoTrader. “Vehicles like the Ranger, Polo Vivo, and Hilux have consistently performed well over the years—and in today’s climate, that track record matters more than ever. These models offer a combination of reliability, value retention, and nationwide support, making them smart, reassuring choices for buyers looking for stability and long-term value.”

On a brand level, Toyota remains the most popular make in the used car market, with 5,564 vehicles sold. Volkswagen follows with 4,507 units—more than a thousand behind—while Ford takes third place with 3,425 used vehicles sold. This underscores the Ranger’s strong appeal among South Africans, as the bakkie accounts for 55% of all Ford’s used vehicle sales. It’s also the only Ford model to appear in the top 10. In contrast, Volkswagen has two vehicles on the list, and Toyota has four.

With nearly 2,000 units sold, the Ranger comfortably outpaces the Toyota Hilux (1,584) and the Polo Vivo (1,283). However, when it comes to specific variants, the Polo Vivo 1.4 remains king, breaching the 1,000 mark in May 2025 with 1,005 units. The more upmarket Polo 1.0 TSI ranks second with 769 units, followed by the Hilux 2.8 GD-6 (604), Ranger XL (584), and Hilux 2.4 GD-6 (569).