[imagesource: here]

When it comes to new cars, the BMW is the make that the majority of South Africans searched for over the past year.

This bad news for everyone else on the road.

To get a familiar dig in, BMW drivers – it’s the 99% that give the other 1% a bad name.

Those searching for used cars, on the other hand, showed more responsible behaviour, so hopefully that will balance out the BMWs that will likely be invading our streets soon, if their owners aren’t out there causing trouble, already.

AutoTrader has released its annual Car Industry Report, mapping the period between July 2019 and June 2020, and providing insight into the most searched for and most popular used cars in South Africa.

A quick look at who was searching for cars online, buying cars, and for how much on average:

AutoTrader Market Report 2020

The number one selling used car was the Ford Ranger, which contributed 7,7% of all cars sold, at an average selling price of R305 944 and with an average mileage of 85 948km.

In previous years, the Ranger ranked third on the list of the most popular used cars.

The Volkswagen Polo, previously at number one, came in second this year (although by only 82 units sold), at an average selling price of R205 238, and average mileage of 58 625km.

In third place, the Toyota Hilux went for an average selling price of R327 807, with an average mileage of 102 129km.

Notably, the Toyota Hilux is the most sold new car.

Here’s the top 10 used car sales:

AutoTrader Market Report 2020

The total car market value was almost R100 billion, which was impacted by COVID-19 in the last third of the year ending in June 2020.

AutoTrader has noticed interesting changes in price search behaviour from those looking to buy a used car. Historically, the most searched for price point for South Africans was R200 000, with the average car sold for R250 000.

Car shoppers using our price range filters saw a surge after the global pandemic directly impacted South Africa when the national lockdown came into effect on the 27th March 2020. The data revealed that during lockdown levels 5 and 4, price-related searches increased by over 6%, indicating that consumers had become more price conscious.

During the lockdown period, search parameters shifted to include ‘under R50 000’ as one of the top five most-searched price points.

This normalised as lockdown restrictions were lifted and the market opened up under the alert level 3, and advanced alert level 3 lockdown.

A definite sign of the times.

[source:autotrader]