AutoGrab: Used car market closes 2025 with softer demand and longer selling times

MEDIA STATEMENT
AutoGrab: Used car market closes 2025 with softer demand and longer selling times

20 January 2026

New data from the December 2025 Automotive Insights Report (AIR), produced by Australia’s leading automotive platform, AutoGrab, in collaboration with the Australian Automotive Dealer Association, shows Australia’s used-car market ended the year with easing sales momentum, tighter listings and slower transaction times, signalling a more balanced and price-sensitive environment heading into 2026.

National used-car sales in December totalled 171,837 vehicles, down 11.1 per cent on November and the lowest monthly result recorded since early 2025. At the same time, total active listings slipped 1.7 per cent to 308,315 vehicles, the smallest pool of available stock seen during the year.

Average days to sell increased to 47 days in December, extending a multi-month trend of longer selling cycles and indicating growing buyer caution and more deliberate purchasing behaviour.

The slowdown was broad-based across states and vehicle segments, with passenger cars, SUVs and light commercial vehicles all recording month-on-month declines in sales volumes. SUVs remained the largest segment by both listings and sales, but turnover softened in line with the overall market.

Despite the cooling in total volumes, alternative powertrains continued to strengthen their presence. Hybrids recorded an increase in listings and maintained solid sales, while electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles accounted for a larger share of transactions compared with the same period last year, even though month-on-month sales eased in line with seasonal trends.

Retained values softened slightly across most age brackets and segments, reinforcing the view that pricing is normalising after the elevated conditions of recent years. However, certain in-demand models and popular SUV nameplates continued to demonstrate strong value retention and relatively quick selling times, underlining the importance of data-driven stock selection for dealers.

The December AIR confirms that 2025 concluded with a market characterised by lower volumes, tighter but more stable supply, and longer transaction cycles.

Quotes attributable to Saxon Odgers, Chief Commercial Officer at AutoGrab.

Buyers are taking more time to compare options and negotiate, while dealers are adjusting pricing strategies to reflect a market that is now driven by value and affordability rather than scarcity.

While overall activity slowed in December, we’re still seeing structural shifts in what Australians are choosing to buy. Hybrid and electric vehicles are steadily building share in the used market, which reflects growing consumer confidence in these technologies and greater availability of second-hand stock at more accessible price points.

With clearer signals on days-to-sell, retained values and segment performance, dealers and financiers now have a much stronger foundation to plan inventory, pricing and risk for the year ahead. High-quality, timely data is becoming essential as the market transitions from rapid growth to a more mature, competitive phase.

media@autograb.com.au

Contact: Paul Price 0400 507 023