AutoTrader data shows strong used car market demand in November following a record October

South Africa’s used-car sector enters November with softer figures after an exceptional October, hinting at shifting buyer behaviour without signalling a market slowdown.

The South African used car market remained active in November 2025, with sales easing slightly after a remarkably strong October. While modest declines were recorded year-on-year (YoY) and month-on-month (MoM), overall demand stayed firm, reinforcing the solid performance seen throughout 2025. This softening comes at a typical point in the annual cycle, ahead of the year-end slowdown and the traditionally high-demand months of January and February.

According to AutoTrader’s November used-car sales data, 33,705 vehicles were sold during the month. This followed October’s record 36,042 units, translating into a YoY decline of -3.6% and a MoM decrease of -6.5%. In context, November’s figures remain strong by historical standards and point to a market resetting after a peak, rather than losing momentum. For buyers, this period often presents good value ahead of the seasonal demand upswing early in the new year.

As has long been the case, Toyota remains the dominant brand in the used-car market. A total of 5,741 Toyota models were sold in November 2025. While this is down from October’s 6,266 units, it represents a YoY increase from November 2024’s 5,401 units. Notably, 40% of the month’s top 10 best-selling used vehicles wore a Toyota badge, further evidence of the brand’s enduring popularity. Volkswagen followed with 4,776 sales, and Ford secured third place with 3,466 units sold.

Lower down the rankings, Hyundai and Suzuki held onto fourth and fifth place, buoyed by strong demand for their budget-friendly models such as the i10 and Swift. While most brands experienced MoM declines, Hyundai and Kia bucked the trend, posting growth of +3% and +2%, respectively. On a YoY basis, Hyundai stood out with a remarkable +47% surge, while Suzuki recorded a still-impressive +31%. The steepest YoY declines were seen at Mercedes-Benz (-13%) and Nissan (-26%).

Although Toyota leads the overall brand rankings, when it comes to individual models, the Ford Ranger continues its unshakable reign. A total of 1,951 Rangers were sold in November, representing a -6.6% YoY decrease compared to the 2,090 units sold in November 2024. Despite this dip, the Toyota Hilux (which posted a YoY increase of +2%) still could not threaten its American rival, ending the month with 1,557 units sold.

While the Polo Vivo outperformed the standard Polo in October, the more expensive Polo reclaimed third place in November with 1,482 units sold, followed closely by the Vivo at 1,405. The Toyota Fortuner came in next with 725 units, roughly half of the top performers.

Premium sedans such as the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class were notably absent from the top 10, replaced instead by more affordable, fuel-efficient models. These included the Suzuki Swift (716), Toyota Corolla Cross (579), Isuzu D-Max (544), Toyota Starlet (520), and Hyundai i20 (494), the latter notably overtaking the smaller Grand i10. Several of these models posted strong YoY improvements: the Swift (+18.9%), Corolla Cross (+25.9%), and i20 (+65.2%) all showing significant gains.

“It’s easy to overreact to a single month’s decline, but perspective matters. November’s dip comes directly after one of the strongest sales months South Africa has recorded in recent years and aligns with typical seasonal patterns,” commented George Mienie, CEO of AutoTrader. “What we’re seeing isn’t weakness but rather a market reset ahead of the year-end period. Consumers remain active, brand loyalty is holding firm, and the shift toward more fuel-efficient models reflects a highly informed buyer base. Historically, demand accelerates again in January and February, which positions the market well going into 2026.”

In November 2025, the used car market showed the following key figures:

• The cumulative value of used cars reached R13.83 billion in November 2025, representing a MoM decrease of -14.1% from October 2025 (R16.11 billion) and a YoY increase of +6.1% from November 2024 (R13.04 billion).
• The average price of a used vehicle sat at R410,620 in November 2025, down from R447,046 in October 2025 and up from R405,713 in November 2024.
• The average mileage decreased to 72,311 km in November 2025, compared to 72,726 km in October 2025 and 73,711 km.

On a variant level, the Polo Vivo 1.4 remains the most popular on the used car market, with 1,097 examples sold last month. The Polo 1.0 TSI comes in with 1,008 examples, and is followed by the Hilux 2.8 GD-6 (672), Ranger XL (664), and Hilux 2.4 GD-6 (515).

Bakkies and budget hatchbacks continued to shape South Africa’s used car landscape in November 2025, as the Ford Ranger held onto the top spot while the Polo and Polo Vivo remained strong urban favourites.