Average price of the most popular used cars in South Africa

The most popular model on the pre-owned market in South Africa is the Toyota Hilux, which is listed for an average price of R465,178.

The bakkie was responsible for 17.8% of the top-10 consumer enquiries on AutoTrader in 2022, indicating that used-car buyers are the most interested in this particular vehicle.

“Enquiries reveal consumer intent as it is based on consumers enquiring on a particular car’s advert view via telephone, email, or alternatively walking into the dealership itself by using the physical address provided on our platform,” said AutoTrader.

Therefore, enquiry data points to the brand or car that consumers are most likely to buy.

These insights, and many more, were revealed in AutoTrader’s latest Annual Car Industry Report, which analysed data from over 653 million searches performed on the platform in 2022.

Most-enquired-on brands

The most-enquired-on brands on AutoTrader in 2022 were as follows:

• Toyota – 437,069 enquiries
• VW – 429,648 enquiries
• BMW – 293,101 enquiries
• Mercedes-Benz – 238,517 enquiries
• Ford – 236,401 enquiries
• Audi – 145,884 enquiries
• Hyundai – 130,043 enquiries
• Nissan – 102,305 enquiries
• Kia – 71,048 enquiries
• Land Rover – 68,755 enquiries

Interestingly, what a consumer initially searches for usually doesn’t align with what they end up enquiring about, said AutoTrader.

These individuals might look at flashy, expensive SUVs with lots of power and high-tech features, but they end up enquiring on and purchasing something else, such as an affordable crossover with fewer gadgets.

Take, for example, Kia, which does not feature in the top-10 most-searched-for brands, but ranks ninth in the top-10 most-enquired-on brands. Similarly, Porsche is a consistent entry in the searches category, but completely falls out of the top-10 bracket when it comes to enquiries.

Most-enquired-on models

The 10 most-enquired-on vehicle models on AutoTrader in 2022 contributed 30% of all enquiry traffic, the same as in 2021.

The usual culprits like the VW Polo, BMW 3 Series, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class were all on the list. However, one standout model was the Ford Fiesta.

Despite the hatchback being discontinued in South Africa in 2022, it remains a clear favourite on the used market coming in at tenth on the most-enquired-on list, while not featuring in the most-searched-for or most-viewed categories.

The most-enquired-on used vehicles on AutoTrader in 2022, along with their average list price, are detailed below:

Toyota Hilux – R465,178

• Average year – 2018
• Average mileage – 96,943km
• Share of enquiries – 17.8%

VW Polo – R284,179

• Average year – 2019
• Average mileage – 54,502km
• Share of enquiries – 16.7%

Ford Ranger – R422,402

• Average year – 2018
• Average mileage – 96,806km
• Share of enquiries – 12.2%

BMW 3 Series – R375,374

• Average year – 2015
• Average mileage – 99,909km
• Share of enquiries – 10.9%

Mercedes-Benz C-Class – R475,010

• Average year – 2016
• Average mileage – 88,791km
• Share of enquiries – 10%

VW Golf – R389,468

• Average year – 2016
• Average mileage – 95,646km
• Share of enquiries – 8.7%

VW Polo Vivo – R194,994

• Average year – 2019
• Average mileage – 62,058km
• Share of enquiries – 8%

Toyota Fortuner – R478,553

• Average year – 2017
• Average mileage – 110,217km
• Share of enquiries – 6.2%

BMW 1 Series – R353,205

• Average year – 2016
• Average mileage – 92,494km
• Share of enquiries – 5.4%

Ford Fiesta – R189,383

• Average year – 2016
• Average mileage – 85,593
• Share of enquiries – 4.2%