Best-selling used cars in South Africa – With pricing

Following a minor sales dip in August, the used-car market in South Africa recovered slightly in September, thanks to modest 1.4% month-on-month growth, despite a 1.7% year-on-year decline.

In total, 33,824 used vehicles were sold last month, improving on the 33,346 units sold in August, while in September last year, 34,402 used vehicles were sold.

According to AutoTrader, Toyota remained South Africa’s favourite used-car brand, with 6,146 sales, while VW claimed second place with 4,444 units sold, and Ford remained third with 3,300 sales.

The three auto giants remained at the top of the standings for individual models, with Ford clinching top spot after selling 1,922 Ranger models in September, with an average price of R513,179 and 79,555km on the clock.

The American bakkie was followed by its eternal rival, the Toyota Hilux, which closed the gap to the top from 401 units to 296 with 1,626 sales, at an average price of R487,508 and mileage of 106,822km.

The VW Polo Vivo retained third place, holding onto its title as best-selling used passenger car in South Africa, with 1,247 sales at an average selling price of R215,273 and 47,071km on the odometer.

In fourth place was the VW Polo with 1,187 sales, followed by the Suzuki Swift in fifth with 832 sales, and the Toyota Fortuner in sixth, only 16 units behind the hatchback.

Two more Toyotas join the Fortuner and Hilux in the top ten, as the Corolla Cross retained seventh place with 625 sales and the Starlet climbed from tenth to eighth place with 595 sales.

Rounding out the top ten list of best-selling used cars in South Africa are the Isuzu D-Max in ninth with 566 sales, and the Hyundai Grand i10 completing the ranking with 538 units.

“September’s figures show that the used car market has recovered some of the ground lost in August, although the results vary considerably between brands,” said AutoTrader CEO George Mienie.

“Toyota and Suzuki were the only two leading manufacturers to increase their sales year-on-year, but at model level, eight of the top 10 recorded annual growth.”

He added that the Starlet’s performance was particularly strong, while the Hilux also narrowed the gap to the Ranger.

The average price of a used car sold on AutoTrader increased from R418,649 in August to R432,938 in September, had an average mileage of 69,991km, and was manufactured in 2021.

South Africa’s favourite pre-loved cars

The best-selling used cars in South Africa list remained largely unchanged between August and September, with the same ten models making it onto the rankings, just in a slightly different order.

Below is a list of the 10 best-selling pre-owned cars in South Africa in September 2026, according to AutoTrader.

1. Ford Ranger – 1,922 units

• Average price – R513,179
• Average mileage – 79,555km
• Average age – 4 years

2. Toyota Hilux – 1,626 units

• Average price – R487,508
• Average mileage – 106,822km
• Average age – 5 years

3. VW Polo Vivo – 1,247 units

• Average price – R215,273
• Average mileage – 47,071km
• Average age – 3 years

4. VW Polo – 1,187 units

• Average price – R276,010
• Average mileage – 70,967km
• Average age – 5 years

5. Suzuki Swift – 832 units

• Average price – R206,685
• Average mileage – 34,748km
• Average age – 2 years

6. Toyota Fortuner – 816 units

• Average price – R505,639
• Average mileage – 104,316km
• Average age – 6 years

7. Toyota Corolla Cross – 625 units

• Average price – R373,172
• Average mileage – 37,742km
• Average age – 2 years

8. Toyota Starlet – 595 units

• Average price – R228,622
• Average mileage – 38,269km
• Average age – 2 years

9. Isuzu D-Max – 566 units

• Average price – R460,479
• Average mileage – 72,989km
• Average age – 3 years

10. Hyundai Grand i10 – 538 units

• Average price – R192,879
• Average mileage – 41,565km
• Average age – 3 years