Chinese vehicles are becoming part of the used-car pricing mix, but the data points to a segmented market rather than a broad decline in used-car values.
South Africa’s used-car market is showing signs of recalibration rather than broad-based price decline, with new data showing that average prices remained higher year-on-year in each of the first four months of 2026.
The figures point to a more segmented pricing environment, where pressure in some vehicle bands does not necessarily reflect the broader used-car market. While more affordable new vehicles and the growth of Chinese brands are influencing price expectations in key SUV and crossover segments, the data shows that the market is not moving in a single downward direction.
AutoTrader reports that average used car prices were higher year-on-year in each month from January to April 2026. The average price rose from R415,770 to R430,165 in January, from R426,836 to R439,663 in February, from R428,253 to R439,614 in March, and from R430,373 to R433,318 in April.
George Mienie, CEO of AutoTrader, said the data showed a market that was recalibrating rather than one in broad pricing decline. “Pricing pressure in some parts of the market is not the same as a broad decline in used-car values,” said Mienie. “The data shows that average used-car prices are still higher year-on-year, but the market is becoming more competitive. What is changing is the mix of vehicles, the value buyers are responding to, and the way dealers need to position stock.”
One of the clearest shifts is the growing role of Chinese brands in the used car market. AutoTrader data shows that Chinese-brand vehicles are becoming a larger part of the used car supply and demand, while also changing the price comparison in popular SUV and crossover segments.
In several high-volume segments, Chinese models are being compared directly with established rivals on price, age, mileage, and specification. This is changing how buyers assess value in the used-car market, particularly where newer Chinese models are priced below or close to comparable non-Chinese alternatives. This does not necessarily mean that consumers are spending less; consumer spending is holding while they are getting more value out of higher-specced Chinese vehicles.
The Haval Jolion, for example, recorded an average used price of R302,782 in April 2026, compared with R393,328 for the Toyota Corolla Cross. The Chery Tiggo 4 Pro recorded an average price of R267,234 in April, compared with R317,779 for the Kia Sonet, while the Omoda C5 averaged R345,966 compared with R363,667 for the Mazda CX-30.
However, the data also shows that this is not simply a case of Chinese vehicles undercutting the used car market. In many cases, these vehicles are newer or have lower mileage than established rivals, meaning buyers are weighing price against age, mileage, specification, and perceived value.
In April, the average Chinese-brand used vehicle on AutoTrader had an average registration year of 2024 and average mileage of 28,970 km, compared with an average registration year of 2020 and average mileage of 72,624 km for non-Chinese vehicles. Over the same month, the average Chinese-brand used vehicle price was R382,78, compared with R437,172 for non-Chinese vehicles.
Mienie said this showed why used car pricing could not be understood as a single market-wide trend.
“The used car market is not one uniform market,” he said. “A nearly-new SUV, an older entry-level hatchback and a high-mileage family car will all respond differently to current market conditions. Chinese brands are adding more choice in important segments, and that is changing how consumers assess value.”
The shift is also reflected in demand and sales activity. Chinese-brand used vehicle sales on AutoTrader rose from 6,314 units in the first four months of 2025 to 10,295 units in the same period in 2026. Their share of total used car sales increased from 4.9% to 7.2%, while listings, leads and impressions also rose.
Among popular Chinese models, the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro, Haval H6, Haval Jolion and Omoda C5 recorded combined used sales of 3,686 units between January and April 2026, compared with 2,459 units over the same period in 2025.
Mienie added that the growth of these Chinese brands should not be seen only as pressure on the used car market. “More affordable new vehicles can change the pricing equation in certain segments, especially where nearly-new used vehicles are competing for the same buyer,” he said. “But those vehicles also become part of the future used car market once they begin changing hands. That adds stock, choice and competition, which can benefit consumers.”
AutoTrader’s broader used car sales data also points to continued market activity. Used sales on the platform increased from 128,309 units in the first four months of 2025 to 142,663 units in the same period this year, with year-on-year growth recorded in each month from January to April.
The data suggests that South Africa’s used car market is recalibrating rather than retreating. Average prices remain higher year-on-year, demand remains active, and Chinese brands are becoming a more visible part of the pricing conversation as buyers compare newer, lower-mileage options against established rivals.
For consumers, this means the used-car market is becoming more competitive, but not uniformly cheaper. Average prices remain higher year-on-year, demand remains active, and value comparisons are becoming more dependent on vehicle type, age, mileage, brand, specification and segment-level demand.
As Chinese-brand vehicles continue entering the second-hand market, AutoTrader’s data suggests they are reshaping price-to-value expectations in specific segments rather than weakening the category or its average pricing as a whole. The broader picture is one of a market adapting to new sources of value, not one defined by broad-based price decline.
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