Consumer controversies

New Chinese Cars Are Shaking Up South Africa’s Used-Car Market

Published

3 months ago

July 2, 2025

Chiraag

Chinese cars South Africa, new vs used cars 2025, WeBuyCars used market, affordable SUVs South Africa, car buyer trends, TransUnion report, Joburg ETC

A new trend is reshaping how South Africans buy cars. In 2025, more buyers are choosing affordable, tech-savvy Chinese vehicles over second-hand cars, and this shift is starting to impact popular used-car platforms like WeBuyCars and Weelee.

New Car Sales Are Booming

According to TransUnion’s Q1 2025 Mobility Insights Report, South Africa sold over 102,000 new passenger cars in just three months, the highest quarterly figure in nearly a decade.

Several factors are fuelling this boom:

Lower interest rates
Improved real wages
Two-pot retirement system payouts
A surge of affordable new cars from China and India

Brands like OMODA, BAIC, Jetour, JAC, and JAECOO are especially popular. These new models offer stylish design, modern features, and competitive warranties, often at the same price as a used premium-brand car.

Used-Car Sales Growth Is Slowing

While new car sales rise, the used market is under pressure.

In Q1 2025, used car registrations grew by just 0.9%, down sharply from 4.7% in Q4 2024.
In contrast, new vehicle registrations jumped 19.1% year-on-year.
The trend is most visible in Gauteng, the Free State, and the Eastern Cape.

Buyers who might’ve considered a second-hand car are now looking at entry-level new vehicles instead, especially in the SUV segment.

WeBuyCars Responds

Despite the shift, WeBuyCars CEO Faan van der Walt says the impact on the used market has been limited so far.

“The Asian affordable vehicles have definitely impacted the market, but we see this primarily affecting premium brand new car sales,” van der Walt told BusinessTech.

“We haven’t seen a noticeable impact on our higher value vehicles, and we welcome the entrance of these affordable brands. They’ve sparked interest and expanded the car pool, which will eventually benefit the used market.”

While Weelee hasn’t publicly commented yet, both platforms are closely watching how the landscape evolves.

South African car market 2025, rise of Chinese vehicles, used-car sales slowdown, Weelee market share, BRICS car imports South Africa, Joburg ETC

Image 1: The Mail & Guardian

What’s Behind the Change?

It’s not just about price.

Chinese automakers have been building trust by expanding their dealer and servicing networks in South Africa.
Concerns about spare parts and aftersales service are fading.
South Africa’s BRICS membership has also played a role by making imports from China smoother and cheaper.

As these brands continue to grow, more South Africans are seeing new Chinese cars as good value for money, and a practical alternative to second-hand vehicles.

What This Means for You

If you’re shopping for a car in 2025:

Compare prices between new Chinese models and used cars; you may be surprised how close they are.
Check warranties, service plans, and resale values before buying.
Expect more Chinese vehicles to show up in the second-hand market over the next 2–3 years, improving used-car options in the long run.