As South Africa’s automotive landscape rapidly evolves, one truth remains strikingly consistent: when it comes to buying a pre-owned vehicle, trust still outweighs trend.
The latest sales data from Weelee, covering the period November 2024 to November 2025, reveals a clear and compelling story. While the new-car market has embraced a wave of fresh entrants — many of them Chinese brands offering modern styling, advanced technology and competitive pricing — the used-car market tells a very different tale.
Here, South African motorists continue to place their confidence firmly in well-established, reputable manufacturers.
Two Markets, Two Mindsets
In recent years, South Africa’s new-vehicle space has seen a noticeable shift. New brands, often with aggressive pricing and generous tech offerings, have gained traction among younger, less brand-loyal buyers. This generation prioritises affordability, design and features, often ahead of long-term brand heritage.
But once those vehicles enter the pre-owned arena, the priorities change.
According to Weelee’s actual sales data, pre-owned buyers are far more cautious, favouring nameplates with proven reliability, predictable ownership costs and strong resale value. Over the past year, Volkswagen Polo Vivo, Ford Ranger and Toyota Fortuner emerged as Weelee’s top three best-selling used vehicles.
“Our actual sales data shows that consumers are much more confident buying a pre-owned car from a reputable manufacturer than one of the new entrants to the market,” says Errol Levin, Chief Executive Officer at Weelee.
Reliability Still Rules
The appeal of established brands is rooted in confidence built over decades. Vehicles from manufacturers such as Volkswagen, Ford and Toyota carry reputations for durability and longevity — qualities that matter even more when a car is no longer new.
“Consumers know that they can buy a pre-owned Volkswagen, Ford or Toyota and still get many more years and miles of reliable use out of these vehicles,” Levin explains.
This confidence extends beyond the vehicle itself. These brands benefit from extensive aftersales networks, widespread parts availability and a robust ecosystem of independent workshops and aftermarket suppliers — all of which translate into lower and more predictable running costs.
“The data shows that pre-owned shoppers look for cars that they know will easily and cost-effectively be able to maintain,” Levin adds, “whether that’s through DIY, aftermarket services or the extensive dealer networks that these OEMs have around the country.”
Hatchbacks Hold Their Ground
Despite South Africa’s well-documented love affair with SUVs in the new-car market, Weelee’s data reveals that hatchbacks remain the dominant body type in the pre-owned space.
Six of the top ten best-selling used vehicles were hatchbacks, driven by enduring favourites such as the Volkswagen Polo, Hyundai i10, Kia Picanto and Toyota Starlet. These models continue to offer strong value propositions, appealing to everyone from first-time drivers to small families seeking affordable, efficient mobility.
Interestingly, only one SUV — the Toyota Fortuner — made the top ten list, with no compact SUVs featuring at all.
Bakkies With Purpose
The bakkie segment remains relevant, but focused. Ford’s Ranger and the Nissan NP200 represented the category among Weelee’s top sellers.
“We have seen a surge in demand for the Nissan NP200 half-tonner since Nissan stopped selling it,” says Levin. “There is no other small bakkie available on the market today, and this demand is driving popularity in the pre-owned market amongst small business owners and fleet operators.”
The result is a vehicle whose absence from the new-car market has only strengthened its appeal in the used-car space.
Popularity Protects Value
One of the most compelling insights from Weelee’s data is the relationship between popularity and depreciation. Vehicles that are in high demand tend to retain their value better, delivering a lower total cost of ownership over time.
“Motorists can buy a three- or four-year-old example of one of these popular models and drive it for a year or two without it losing much value,” Levin notes, “provided it’s well maintained.”
This reality reinforces why seasoned pre-owned buyers look beyond headline pricing. Factors such as trustworthiness, running costs, serviceability and resale value often matter far more than specification lists alone.
Value Is More Than a Price Tag
While some lesser-known or exotic brands may appear attractively priced in the pre-owned market, Weelee’s data suggests that buyers remain wary.
“Exotic brands might seem affordable in terms of purchase price,” Levin concludes, “but they come with unknowns in terms of usable lifespan and the ability to effectively maintain these vehicles over time.”
In the pre-owned space, value is earned — not advertised.
Weelee’s Top Sellers at a Glance
Top Ten Vehicles (Nov 2024 – Nov 2025):
Volkswagen Polo Vivo, Ford Ranger, Toyota Fortuner, Hyundai i10, BMW 3-Series, Suzuki Swift, Kia Picanto, Nissan NP200, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Toyota Starlet
Top Selling Brands:
Volkswagen, Ford, Toyota, Hyundai, BMW, Suzuki, Kia, Nissan, Mercedes, Isuzu
Top Body Types:
Hatchback, SUV, Sedan, Double Cab, Single Cab
Finding the Right Car
For motorists ready to shop with confidence, thousands of quality pre-owned vehicles are available at www.weelee.co.za, or in person at the Weelee Centurion Megastore — where reputation, reliability and value continue to drive choice.
