Used-vehicle market flat

The number of used-imported cars registered in New Zealand totalled 8,085 last month, edging up 0.3 per cent from 8,063 units in July 2025.

The latest tally means the sector’s sales have increased for three months in a row, with July’s result up 6.9 per cent from 7,563 units in June.

It is also the second-best monthly tally so far in 2026, beaten only by the 8,226 units registered in March.

Year-to-date, there have been 52,361 registrations, which is 4.8 per cent higher than 49,955 units at the same stage a year ago.

Toyota’s Aqua was the best-selling model last month with 696 registrations – down by 24.6 per cent from 923 units in July last year – and a market share of 8.6 per cent.

The Toyota Prius, pictured, claimed second spot on 502 units and 6.2 per cent of the market, Nissan’s Note was third with 438 and 5.4 per cent, and Toyota’s Corolla came fourth with 396 and 4.9 per cent.

Subaru’s Impreza completed the top five after recording 276 registrations for a 3.4 per cent share of the market in July.

One of the market’s biggest climbers last month was the Nissan Leaf, which was the sixth best-seller on 264 units, a climb of 98.5 per cent from 133 a year ago.

The Aqua leads the year-to-date standings on 4,864 units and a market share of 9.3 per cent, followed by the Prius with 3,200 and 6.1 per cent.

Toyota was the leading marque in July with 2,902 registrations for 35.9 per cent of the market. Its monthly total was down by 3.1 per cent from 2,995 in the same month of 2025. 

Nissan was the second most popular brand last month with 1,317 units for a market share of 16.3 per cent, and Mazda was third on 1,006 and 12.4 per cent. 

Year to date, Toyota leads the way with 18,462 registrations and a 35.3 per cent market share. 

Nissan is next on 8,328 and 15.9 per cent, and Mazda has 6,598 and 12.6 per cent.