According to AutoTrader data, transactions rose to 34,452 units in the month, up 12 percent from December 2025 and 11 percent from January 2025.
Industry watchers see the figures as a clear sign of resilience in the pre-owned market despite broader economic pressures. The total value of used-vehicle sales reached approximately $892 million, based on prevailing exchange rates of around 0.0623 USD per South African rand. This represented double-digit growth both month-on-month and year-on-year.
At the brand level, Toyota retained its market leadership, selling 5,876 used vehicles. That was up from the previous month and the same period last year, and equated to Toyota accounting for four of the top ten best-selling cars. Volkswagen ranked second with 4,733 units, while Ford ranked third with 3,577 units, more than half of which were Ranger pickups.
Toyota saw a notable 17 percent month-on-month increase, while Suzuki posted the strongest monthly growth at 25 percent. Hyundai recorded the largest annual surge, up 45 percent from the prior year.
BMW was the only major brand to dip month-on-month, though it still logged a modest year-on-year rise. Mercedes-Benz and Nissan experienced the steepest annual declines among key brands.
Although Toyota leads the market overall, the Ford Ranger remains the country’s most popular individual model. With 2 069 Rangers changing hands in January, the pickup saw a 6.3 percent uplift on the prior year.
Interest in smaller, more affordable vehicles emerged as one of the shifts defining the current sales landscape. The Suzuki Swift climbed ahead of the Toyota Fortuner in overall model rankings, with nearly 800 units sold and a nearly 25 percent year-over-year increase.
Other models also posted substantial gains, notably the Corolla Cross and the Hyundai Grand i10, which saw sales jump by more than 40 percent and nearly 72 percent, respectively.
On a variant level, the Volkswagen Polo Vivo 1.4 topped the list with 1,044 units sold, followed by the 1.0 TSI Polo, the Toyota Hilux 2.8, and the Ford Ranger XL. The results reflect a broad shift in consumer preferences, with used buyers balancing practicality, value, and reliability in their purchasing decisions.
Overall, the January results suggest that South Africa’s used-car market remains active and competitive, serving as a bellwether for broader trends in consumer spending and mobility.
