As premium sedans slip, practical picks like the Suzuki Swift and Nissan NP200 gain ground in South Africa’s top-performing province.
Gauteng may be the smallest province in South Africa, but it’s also the most densely populated—and the country’s economic powerhouse. It’s no surprise, then, that more used cars are sold in Gauteng than in any other province. According to the 2024 AutoTrader Annual Car Industry Report, the Place of Gold not only outsells all eight other provinces individually, but also moves more cars than the rest of the country combined, accounting for a 56% share of used vehicle sales last year, with 201,443 units sold.
So, what are people in Gauteng actually buying—and how has that changed over the past three years? A look at the best-selling used vehicles in 2024 compared to 2021 reveals clear trends, shifts, and some surprising consistencies.
In 2024, the Ford Ranger was the best-selling used vehicle in Gauteng, followed by the Toyota Hilux, Volkswagen Polo, and Volkswagen Polo Vivo. As the most popular used vehicles in South Africa, these four have consistently dominated the charts, though their rankings have shifted slightly over time. The Ranger has held the top spot, while the Hilux has climbed from third to second, pushing the Polo down to third, just ahead of its more affordable sibling, the Vivo.
Further down the list, noticeable changes have emerged. Prestigious German sedans continue to appeal to Gauteng-based buyers, but their popularity has waned. The BMW 3 Series, which ranked fifth in 2021 with 6,116 units sold, has dropped to seventh place in 2024, with just 3,784 units sold. Meanwhile, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class has moved up from sixth to fifth, although its sales have also declined, from 5,448 in 2021 to 4,001 in 2024.
These falling numbers suggest growing financial pressure among buyers. However, it’s worth noting that Ranger and Hilux sales have increased, and the Polo Vivo has maintained steady sales. This shift indicates a move away from luxury sedans and toward vehicles that offer more practicality and value.
Seven of the top 20 best-selling vehicles from 2021 remain on the list in 2024—all locally built. However, notable changes have occurred in the lower rankings. Previously popular models such as the Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Golf, and Ford EcoSport have been replaced by newer, more affordable, and more practical alternatives.
The emergence of the Suzuki Swift, Nissan NP200, and Kia Picanto in the top 10 highlights a growing preference for affordable and fuel-efficient options. In 2024, 3,583 Swifts were sold on the used market, comparable to the Fiesta’s 3,607 units in 2021. Despite a higher average price (R187,717 vs R162,180), the Swift’s lower average registration age (three years vs six for the Fiesta) and lower mileage (39,884 km vs 83,422 km) reflect a shift toward better long-term value and lower running costs.
Similarly, the VW Golf and Ford EcoSport have been overtaken by the Nissan NP200 and Kia Picanto, respectively. By 2024, the Golf (excluding GTI and R variants), EcoSport, and Fiesta were all discontinued, resulting in fewer units entering the used car market. This reduced availability may have influenced their decline in rankings.
Interestingly, despite being recently discontinued, the Nissan NP200 has gained traction as a best-seller on the used market. Its rise underscores the demand for affordable, compact workhorses, particularly in a segment that has seen a sharp decline in new options.