South Africa’s secondary automotive market is continuing to show resilience despite economic pressure, with affordability now dictating buying decisions more than traditional brand loyalty. According to AutoTrader CEO George Mienie, consumers continue to buy and sell vehicles because the country’s transport realities leave many with little alternative.
Affordability Reshapes South Africa’s Used Car Market
Mienie noted that never have I seen a falloff in the new or used car market that makes me nervous
, pointing out that South Africa’s limited public transport network and vast geography continue to underpin demand for personal vehicles. South Africans fortunately or unfortunately benefit or suffer from the lack of public transport in the country,
he said, adding that we don’t have the rail systems and the public transport infrastructure that many of our sister countries in Europe and America have.
The Rise of Chinese Marques and the Total Cost of Ownership
The secondary and new vehicle markets are experiencing a profound transformation as Chinese manufacturers capture significant market share. Automotive and e-mobility lead Greg Cress at Accenture in Africa described the shift as nothing less than the disruption the industry has been waiting 100 years for
in an analysis published by TechCentral. Industry body Naamsa echoed this assessment in its 2026 Automotive Trade Manual, classifying the trend not as a short-term surge but as a structural reset
away from badge prestige toward price-driven consumer choices.
Sales figures illustrate the pace of adoption. Chinese manufacturers accounted for more than 19% of total new-vehicle sales in the first quarter of 2026, with sales rising 75% year on year. In the pre-owned sector, buyers are adopting Chinese options at a remarkable rate. According to AutoTrader CEO George Mienie, we are seeing Chinese vehicles come into our country and come into the market at a rate that consumers are buying them, with increases in sales of 47% year on year.
“Brand loyalty and loyalty to the badge is fast becoming a thing of the past as consumers consider the total cost of ownership over and above the badge on the car.”
George Mienie, CEO of AutoTrader South Africa
Mienie observed that Chinese vehicles offer a compelling value proposition, noting that they might deliver 80% to 90% of the quality of European cars at roughly 60% of the price.
Surging Repair Bills Push Motorists to Sell Damaged Cars
At the same time, rising repair bills and tight household budgets are pushing more motorists to sell damaged, non-running, and written-off cars rather than sink money into repairs. Johannesburg-based vehicle buying service Damaged Cars Wanted, operated through Lou Appel’s Auto Spares, reports a clear increase in owners choosing to cash out rather than fix wrecked vehicles.
Rather than sink money into a vehicle they may never fully trust again, a growing number of owners are selling them as is.
Fastest-Selling Used Models and Search Demand Across South Africa
Recent research highlights how newly introduced models are reshaping the market.
In the broader electric vehicle landscape, consumer interest is also expanding rapidly from a small base.
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