How to Find Value in South Africa’s Used Car Market Today
If you last shopped for a car five or six years ago, today’s used prices may come as a shock. A budget that once gave you a long shortlist might now call for a fresh look at models, mileage and monthly costs.
AutoTrader’s market data puts the average listed used-vehicle price at R312,794 in 2020 and R423,080 in June 2026, an increase of about 35%. The route between those figures matters. Prices surged, corrected and then climbed more gradually. Understanding that journey helps you make better sense of what your money can buy now.
What Does The Average Used-Car Price Mean?
An average of roughly R420,000 does not set the starting price for a used car. The market includes smaller, older vehicles below that figure, family cars around it and premium SUVs or bakkies well above it. The mix of vehicles being advertised also affects the average.
There is a useful second measure. In the first half of 2026, the average used vehicle sold through AutoTrader’s reported market went for R421,499, with 70,964 km on the clock.
AutoTrader’s H1 2026 analysis gives us that transaction figure. It sits close to June’s listed-price average, although the two figures measure different things.
Neither average tells you what you should spend. Your budget, the vehicle’s condition and the cost of owning it remain the better guides.
How Did Used-Car Prices Reach This Point?
The sharpest change happened early. AutoTrader’s figures trace a rise from R312,794 in 2020 to R389,145 in 2021, then R423,964 in 2022. Most of the increase behind today’s headline price had already taken place by that point.
A global semiconductor shortage constrained new-vehicle production during those years. Cars need chips to manage everything from engine functions to screens and safety systems. As new vehicles became harder to obtain, more buyers turned to used stock. Stronger demand met limited supply, and prices rose quickly.
The market changed course in 2023. As new-car supply recovered, the average used price fell to R399,163. It then moved to R406,023 in 2024, R417,584 in 2025 and R423,080 by June 2026. In fact, the June 2026 listed average remained slightly below the 2022 figure.
That is the important shape of the story: a steep rise, a correction and a slower climb towards today’s level.
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Why Did Prices Stay Above 2020 Levels?
Recovering vehicle supply relieved some pressure, but several other costs had changed. Inflation affected the wider economy, while higher new-car prices influenced what buyers were willing to pay for recent used equivalents. Many vehicles and parts are imported, so exchange rates and international costs also feed into the South African market.
Finance adds another layer. The same purchase price can feel very different at a different interest rate, particularly when stretched over several years. That is why a buyer returning to the market needs to revisit the monthly budget as well as the sticker price.
The vehicles on offer have changed too. Depending on the model and derivative, a recent used car may give you smartphone integration, parking cameras, more safety equipment or a more efficient drivetrain. Those features do not explain the whole price movement, and they will not be present in every car. They do give you more to compare than the price alone.
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What Is Happening In The Market Now?
South Africans are still buying used vehicles. AutoTrader recorded 195,455 used passenger-vehicle sales between January and June 2026, up 8% year on year, with transaction value exceeding R82 billion.
Price growth has also become more measured. AutoTrader’s used-car Retail Price Index averaged 3.3% in the first half of 2026, compared with 3.9% for general consumer inflation. Its used-car measure peaked at 4.4% in March and eased to 2.6% by June. These percentages describe the rate of price growth, rather than the price of the average car.
Household finances still require care. Fuel, insurance and repayments all compete for room in a monthly budget, and an interest rate increase in May 2026 added pressure for borrowers. Yet a more settled market gives buyers a better basis for comparing vehicles than the shortage-driven conditions of 2021 and 2022.
There is a practical dealer insight here as well: AutoTrader reports an average of 37 days to sell for a used vehicle in H1 2026. Buyers have options, and a car’s price needs to make sense alongside its age, mileage, condition and specification.
LEARN MORE:Why 3-Year-Old Used Cars Make More Sense Than Ever
Where Can Used-Car Buyers Find Value?
A used vehicle gives you the chance to shop after its first owner has absorbed some of its early depreciation. That can open the door to a higher trim level, more equipment or a larger vehicle than the same budget would allow if you bought new.
AutoTrader’s guide to five-year-old vehicles highlights this part of the market and points to a practical buying band of roughly R340,000 to R420,000. Treat that as a picture of available choices, not a target budget. There may be a better purchase for you below it.
A five-year-old car can still offer modern safety and connectivity features, but its history becomes especially important. Check that services were completed on schedule, establish what warranty or service-plan cover remains, and ask whether any cover transfers to a new owner. A well-equipped car loses its appeal quickly if neglected maintenance leaves you with an expensive repair.
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A Wider Market Gives You More To Compare
Buyers are looking across more brands and technologies. In AutoTrader’s reported H1 2026 market, used sales of Chinese brands rose 57% year on year. Sales in the used new-energy vehicle category rose 92%, with hybrids accounting for 83% of sales within that category.
Those figures show how much the shortlist is changing. Someone comparing family SUVs, for instance, may now find several brands offering different combinations of age, mileage and equipment at a similar price. A hybrid may appeal to one household’s driving pattern, while a conventional petrol car with a strong service record makes better financial sense for another.
The strongest choice comes from comparing the individual vehicles available to you. As cars bought new in earlier years return to the market through trade-ins and upgrades, those comparisons should become increasingly useful.
LEARN MORE: What Really Determines A Used Car’s Value?
How Do You Find The Best Value For Your Money?
Start with a comfortable budget. Work out what you can afford each month before settling on a model. Include insurance, fuel, servicing, tyres and a reasonable allowance for maintenance. If you are financing, ask to see the full agreement, including the interest rate, term and any balloon payment.
Compare age, mileage and condition together. A newer registration year looks attractive, but maintenance and use matter just as much. Ask for the service record and look closely at how the vehicle has been cared for.
Think about the job the vehicle has done. If you are considering a bakkie, check for signs of heavy towing or load-carrying wear. On a vehicle likely to have travelled rough roads, inspect the underside as well as the visible bodywork. A proper vehicle inspection can help you identify issues before you commit.
Look across brands and trim levels. At a similar price, one car may be newer, another may have lower mileage, and a third may include equipment you will use every day. Decide which benefits are worth paying for. A panoramic roof may be lovely, but a complete service history is likely to bring you more peace of mind.
At Group1 Cars, we can help you compare used vehicles across brands within your budget, from hatchbacks and sedans to SUVs and bakkies. Tell us what you need the car to do, and we’ll help you weigh up the age, mileage, condition and features of the options available.
ALSO SEE: Why The Budget Second Car Is Making A Comeback In SA
Make Today’s Market Work For Your Budget
South Africa’s used-car market has been through an unusual six years. The shortage-era surge did much of the work behind today’s higher average, followed by a 2023 correction and more gradual price growth. There are now more ways to compare brands, vehicle types and specifications, provided you judge each car on its own merits.
The average price tells the market’s story. Your best buy comes from matching a sound vehicle to your needs and a cost you can carry comfortably. Browse our current used vehicles, compare options within your budget and ask us about financing or a trade-in valuation.
