According to a report carried out over six months by used-car sales and buying service WeBuyCars, German motor vehicle manufacturer Volkswagen ranked as South Africa’s most sought-after used car brand among buyers between October 2021 and April 2022.

The report released in May, was conducted on the company’s social media platforms, and revealed the Volkswagen Polo topped the list for the most frequently asked for car, while the company’s sales statistics showed it was also the most sold car for the same period.

Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota — a brand that often tops most popular car lists owing to its penchant for producing reliable cars with strong resale values — took second place.

German manufacturer BMW was in third followed by manufacturers Ford and Hyundai in fourth and fifth place respectively with Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Audi, Chevrolet and Renault, rounding off the top 10.

The report reveals other interesting information such as the country's most popular body types.

The most popular body types with used car buyers are listed as being hatchbacks, sports-utility vehicles, sedans, single cabs, double cabs and multi-purpose vehicles.

Notably, scooters, recreational cars, chassis cabs, dropsides, dual purpose vehicles and panel vans accrue the fewest enquiries.

The report also disclosed the vehicle price range most requested on social media was under R80 000, and the average selling price was about R135 000.

“Demand for used cars is at an all-time high owing to a combination of factors ranging from the global shortage of new vehicles to financial constraints and, most significantly, the rise in the cost of living exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic,” says WeBuyCars marketing manager Rikus Blomerus.

He adds that consumers are feeling the pinch and are, therefore, turning to used cars for financial relief and value for money.

“As consumers continue to make this shift, it’s clear from the volume of queries on our platforms that top among their requirements are affordability, reliability and durability, all key characteristics that help take your money further.

“These characteristics define the brands that have made the most sought-after list, which makes the data revealed by our report no surprise,” he concludes.