Slight drop in used imports

Registrations of used-imported passenger vehicles declined by 7.5 per cent in March when stacked up against the same month of last year – 8,943 versus 9,664.

The Toyota Aqua was once again the most popular model, but its total tumbled by 31.3 per cent from 1,468 to 1,008. 

Next up were the Prius on 772, down by 21.9 per cent from 989, and Mazda’s Axela with 366, which was down from 456 and by 19.7 per cent.

Nissan’s Note was fourth on the back of a 21.9 per cent increase to 362, while fifth spot was claimed by Toyota’s Corolla with 341 units – down by 1.7 per cent.

A notable drop was seen in the electric-vehicle market last month with only 81 Nissan Leafs imported for a 79.8 decline from 400 in March 2023.

Last month’s top three marques were Toyota with 3,507 units, which was down by 10 per cent year on year, Mazda with 1,218 – up by 1.6 per cent – and Nissan on 1,184 for a drop of 18.2 per cent. The top five was completed by Honda on 737 and Subaru with 652.