Used-car sales picked up in September: what buyers should look beyond

22 October 2026

AADA and AutoGrab’s September market update, released on 13 October 2026, records 258,127 used-vehicle sales, up 6.0% on August. Active listings fell to 390,184, while average time on market increased from 51.5 to 52.8 days.

The combination matters: a busier market does not mean every vehicle sells immediately or that every asking price is justified. The report also puts four-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive vehicles at 46.2% of sales, and manuals at 6.6%. These are market preferences, not assessments of a particular car’s condition.

When comparing vehicles, put service history, recorded mileage, ownership documentation and inspection findings beside the asking price. Two cars with the same badge can have very different maintenance needs. Ask for written explanations of missing history or unresolved faults.

Agree the scope of a pre-purchase inspection before arranging one, including access to the vehicle and what the written findings will cover. Keep an allowance in your budget for work identified by the inspection. Sales statistics can explain the market around a purchase; they cannot replace checking the car you intend to buy.