Best Selling Used Car Brands in Chennai in 2024

The used car market in Chennai remains strong, as rising car prices drive more buyers to seek good deals on second-hand cars. Compared to the expensive base variants of new cars, better-equipped and more affordable used car options are available from all leading brands.

In a busy metro like Chennai, used car buyers prefer compact cars like hatchbacks and compact SUVs. The exhaustive 2024 used car market report from CARS24 shows that India’s pre-owned car market was far greater than new car sales in CY2024 with a 13:10 ratio. That means for every 10 new cars, there were 13 used cars purchased.

Hatchbacks were the best selling used cars while compact SUVs and sedans also grabbed their share of the market for second hand cars in Chennai. Some leading car brands had a significant market share, including Ford, which had a plant in Chennai and still enjoys strong demand. Here are the car brands which topped in Chennai.

Best Selling Used Car Brands in Chennai in 2024

From CARS24 internal data, it is clear that hatchbacks have been the clear choice of body style for used car buyers in Chennai. It is also clear that buyers place a higher priority on practicality and efficiency apart from affordability. The most popular pre-owned car models also include some SUVs and sedans.

Maruti Suzuki was the clear leader in Chennai thanks to the wide variety of used Maruti car models on sale. Hatchbacks and compact sedans were popular thanks to their reputation for reliability and efficiency as well as choice of engines.

Hyundai was in second place with their hatchback models leading the charts. Their premium and affordable hatchbacks made up a big chunk of their sales. Honda took third place in Chennai with their City premium sedan being the best seller.

1) Maruti Suzuki | 31.3% Used Car Market Share in Chennai

India’s leading car manufacturer, Maruti Suzuki, commanded a 31.3% share of Chennai’s second-hand car market. Maruti cars are known for being fuel-efficient, practical and reliable, and their widespread service network adds to their appeal even further.

The Maruti Suzuki Swift took the top honours with a share of 18.6% of used car sales, with its sporty styling and driving appeal finding several takers. The Alto was second with 8.1% of sales of used Maruti Suzuki cars in Chennai, while their compact sedan, the Swift Dzire, was the third best selling used car model with a share of 7.5%.

2) Hyundai | 22.5% Used Car Market Share in Chennai

The South Korean automaker secured the second spot with a 22.5% share of Chennai’s second-hand car market. Hyundai’s sales numbers were driven by hatchbacks. The list of features and equipment Hyundai offers, together with the premium materials in the cabin, makes them a popular choice.

The i10 was the highest selling used Hyundai car with a 16.1% share. It was popular thanks to its choice of manual as well as automatic variants. The Grand i10 was in second place with 11.7% share with a choice of petrol and diesel adding to the mix. The Hyundai Elite i20 was in a close third, taking 11.2% share thanks to its sporty design and choice of engines and variants.

3) Honda | 8.3% Used Car Market Share in Chennai

Honda claimed the third spot in the top selling brands in Chennai with a share of 8.3%. Recognised for their reliability and efficiency, the Japanese brand’s cars are also popular due to their fun to drive nature. The sedans were by far the best sellers upholding the sales of used Honda cars in Chennai.

The City premium sedan was the top selling used Honda car with a huge share of 37% while the next highest seller was the Amaze compact sedan with 22.3% share. The premium features and styling with smooth engines make Honda sedans popular. The third best seller for Honda was the Jazz hatchback which racked up a share of 14.2%.

4) Tata | 6.9% Used Car Market Share in Chennai

Tata cars are popular mainly for their strong build and high safety ratings. These aspects have helped them garner a 6.9% market share of the used car market in Chennai. Their variety of models, distinct styling, and feature lists helped them find more buyers in the used car market.

The Tiago compact hatchback was the best selling Tata used car with 26.1% share of the marketplace. The Tiago’s good handling and overall practicality make it popular. In second place came the Nexon compact SUV which made up 13.6% of Tata volumes in Chennai. The charming little Tata Nano was the third highest seller with 9.2% share, with many still seeking its unique style and rear engine layout.

5) Ford | 5.9% Used Car Market Share in Chennai

Although they may not actively be a part of the Indian new car market, Ford has a plant in India and the demand for used Ford cars in Chennai is still very strong. The American brand has been known for making some robust cars that are involving to drive. Although, they lost ground to Tata compared to 2023.

The Ford EcoSport compact SUV was their runaway best selling used car in Chennai. Its compact size, good features and high safety earned it a 35.6% share. In second place was the Figo hatchback with 28.3% share. In third was the sedan, the premium Fiesta, with a 12.2% share of the pie.

Conclusion

The best selling used car brands in Chennai in 2024 were Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Honda, Tata, and Ford. Hatchbacks again made up most of the numbers while some sedan models, such as the Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire, Honda City, Amaze, and Ford Fiesta maintained a good share for sedans. 

The Ford EcoSport and Tata Nexon were the popular SUV models. Maruti Suzuki, with their wide range of reliable and low-cost models, continued to dominate. Hyundai’s best selling used cars were hatchbacks, while the Honda City and Amaze sedans were best sellers. Tata beat Ford one place in 2024 but both brands saw good demand for their compact SUVs and hatchbacks.