AutoTrader Unveils South Africa’s Top-Selling Used Cars for August 2024. Suzuki Swift Soars, Ford Ranger Leads the Pack. August 2024 delivered a mixed bag for the South African used car market, with data from AutoTrader showing a -8.2% year-on-year dip in used car sales. However, there’s a silver lining—sales for the month nudged upwards by 1%, hinting that consumer demand might be ready for a bounce-back.
In total, 31,877 used cars exchanged hands in August, generating a whopping R13 billion in sales, though this was still a -6.8% drop in value compared to last year. Leading the charge, as always, was Toyota, which cemented its place as the best-selling used car brand, ahead of Volkswagen and Ford. But the real stars of the show were Suzuki and Kia—both of which bucked the trend with impressive year-on-year growth. Suzuki saw a remarkable 40% boost in sales, while Kia followed closely behind with an 11% increase. Their monthly gains of 11% and 8%, respectively, also stood out in an otherwise sluggish market.
Notably, Suzuki’s rise wasn’t just a flash in the pan. The brand climbed up the rankings, overtaking Nissan to claim the seventh spot among top sellers. A significant contributor to this was the ever-popular Suzuki Swift, which sold 598 units—more than a third of Suzuki’s total 1,612 sales for the month. With an average selling price of R194,248 for three-year-old models, the Swift has surged in popularity, rocketing from 13th place a year ago to an impressive 6th place in August 2024.
AutoTrader CEO George Mienie summed it up well:
“The Suzuki Swift is no longer just an option—it’s a serious contender in the used car market, offering a combination of affordability and reliability that resonates with South African buyers.”
Meanwhile, another Japanese favourite, the Toyota Starlet, quietly entered the top 10 most-sold used models for the first time. This roomy hatchback with a sales price averaging R233,635 for two-year-old models, climbed from 11th to 10th place, moving 482 units in August. Known for its family-friendly interior and generous boot space, the Starlet’s rise isn’t surprising given its reliability and fuel efficiency.
However, when it comes to sheer volume, it’s still the heavy hitters leading the charge. The Ford Ranger continues to reign supreme, with 1,930 units sold in August, followed by the rugged Toyota Hilux and the ever-popular Volkswagen Polo. These stalwarts remain firm favourites in a market that prizes versatility and value.
On the variant front, the VW Polo Vivo 1.4 took top honours, racking up 942 sales. Its stablemate, the VW Polo 1.0TSI, came in second, while the trusty Toyota Hilux 2.8GD-6 bakkie rounded out the top three.
In a bit of good news for buyers, the average price of a used car edged down slightly, dipping by -0.2% from July to R408,488. While prices are still up 1.5% compared to last year, this slight reduction may signal some relief for consumers feeling the pinch.
Top 10 Best-Selling Used Cars in August 2024:
| Rank | Model | Units Sold | Average Price (R) | Average Mileage (km) | Average Age (years) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ford Ranger | 1,930 | R465,136 | 80,540 | 5 |
| 2 | Toyota Hilux | 1,423 | R454,384 | 103,231 | 6 |
| 3 | Volkswagen Polo | 1,329 | R261,705 | 71,806 | 6 |
| 4 | Volkswagen Polo Vivo | 1,153 | R198,286 | 58,320 | 5 |
| 5 | Toyota Fortuner | 730 | R468,399 | 101,067 | 7 |
| 6 | Suzuki Swift | 598 | R194,248 | 36,157 | 3 |
| 7 | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 549 | R427,542 | 91,725 | 9 |
| 8 | Nissan NP200 | 513 | R180,891 | 74,764 | 6 |
| 9 | BMW 3 Series | 493 | R382,184 | 109,510 | 8 |
| 10 | Toyota Starlet | 482 | R233,635 | 34,925 | 3 |
With the market starting to shift, the August data offers a peek into the changing preferences of South African used car buyers. It’s clear that affordability, reliability, and space continue to drive decisions, with smaller, fuel-efficient models climbing the ranks while the tried-and-true bakkies and family SUVs remain unstoppable favourites. Whether you’re looking for a compact hatchback like the Suzuki Swift or a brawny workhorse like the Ford Ranger, there’s something for every buyer in South Africa’s bustling used car market.
