Used-import sales jump 18.4%

The number of used-imported cars registered in New Zealand totalled 8,285 last month, an increase of 18.4 per cent from 6,999 units in October 2025.

Year-to-date, there have been 76,774 registrations, which is 7.5 per cent higher than 71,441 units at the same stage a year ago.

Toyota’s Aqua was the best-selling model in October with 900 registrations – up by 16.4 per cent from 773 units in the same month last year – and a market share of 10.9 per cent.

The top four models were unchanged from September, with the Toyota Prius next on 518 units and 6.3 per cent of the market, Nissan’s Note scoring 465 sales and 5.6 per cent, and Toyota’s Corolla on 429 and 5.5 per cent. 

Nissan’s Leaf, pictured, completed the top five with 262 units and a 3.2 per cent market shares after its sales jumped 138.2 per cent from 110 in October last year.

The Aqua, pictured, leads the year-to-date standings on 7,547 units and a market share of 9.8 per cent, followed by the Prius with 4,709 and 6.1 per cent. The Note is third on 3,910 units and 5.1 per cent.

Toyota was the leading marque in October with 3,249 registrations for 39.2 per cent of the market. Its monthly total was up by 21.1 per cent from 2,684 in the same month of 2025. 

Nissan was the second most popular brand last month with 1,369 units for a market share of 16.5 per cent, and Mazda was third on 892 and 10.8 per cent. 

Year to date, Toyota is the clear leader with 27,980 registrations and a 36.4 per cent market share. 

Nissan is next on 12,199 and 15.9 per cent, and Mazda has 9,423 and 12.3 per cent.