The used car market performed remarkably well last year, generating R160.1 billion through 383,410 units sold, while this was a strong year-round performance, some months stood out above the rest.
The pre-owned sector relies on the new car market for stock, which is why it is good that this sector also performed very well in 2025, supplying the used market with near-endless options.
“The used car market does not operate in isolation from new vehicle sales,” explains Lebogang Gaoaketse, Head of Marketing and Communications at WesBank.
“When new car sales grow, as they did dramatically in 2025, reaching 596,818 units, the highest since 2015, it creates a ripple effect that can positively affect the used vehicle market.”
He explained that more new car sales eventually mean more trade-ins, increasing the used car supply and moderating prices.
AutoTrader attributes the strong performance in both segments to the multiple interest rate cuts in South Africa, notably in January, May, July and November last year, totalling 100 basis points.
This positive shift in the local economy led to declining borrowing costs and provided substantial relief to consumers.
The full-year Consumer Price Index (CPI) in South Africa averaged 3.2% in 2025, driving an uptick in sales of both new and used passenger vehicles.
At the same time, the average Retail Price Index (RPI) was 2.6% in the first half of 2025, rising to 3.6% in the second half.
Used-car price inflation remained in line with general market inflation rates, which AutoTrader says used-car dealerships successfully navigated last year.
As inflation and interest rates fluctuated, so did dealers’ stock velocity – the metric that measures how rapidly vehicles are sold.
AutoTrader notes that how quickly cars move onto and off of showroom floors also depends on several factors, including market conditions at the time of sale.
As such, stock velocity changes month-to-month, adapting as used-car supplies fluctuate.
The best months to buy and sell cars
AutoTrader noted an average monthly used-car stock increase of 5% throughout 2025, compared to the year prior, increasing throughout the year, before falling off slowly towards the end of it.
The year started with 130,504 units hitting local showroom floors, rising steadily until October, when the used-car supply peaked at 148,141 units, whereafter it declined in both November and December.
Similar to the increase in stock availability as the year went on, sales also increased heading into the second half of 2025, before similarly slowing down.
Coinciding with the peak number of vehicles available, in October last year, was 2025’s best-performing sales month, with 36,042 pre-owned sales completed.
As with supply, sales also dwindled as the year closed out, with 30,742 units sold in the final month of the year.
January was also the month stock stood still the longest, with cars selling during the first month of the year doing so only after 40 days.
Cars sold in April spent the least time on showroom floors – only 33 days – yet in the same month, only 133,214 pre-owned models were listed.
On average, used cars on AutoTrader last year stood for 36 days before selling, which is a notably rapid turnover time.
If last year’s data and trends are to be believed, it is best to wait for later months when looking to buy a car, as the increased supply could mean greater value and variety for buyers.
Those looking to sell their car may want to do so in the middle of the year, when models leave showroom floors faster.
Loading ...
