SOUTH AFRICA AUTOMOTIVE AFTERMARKET MARKET

South Africa Automotive Aftermarket Overview

South Africa Automotive Aftermarket market size was valued at USD 7.3 billion in 2024 and is forecast to touch USD 10.1 billion in 2032, and the market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% from 2025-2032 primarily driven by growing vehicle in operations (VIO), ageing vehicle fleet, recovery in new vehicle sales, robust sales growth of used car coupled with over millions of passenger vehicles are currently out of warranty in 2024, and the passenger cars with an out of warranty population is projected to grow at a robust CAGR from 2025-2032.

Market Size, Forecast & Key Segment Insights

Market Size & Forecast:

• • 2024 – USD 7.3 Billion
  • 2032 – USD 10.1 Billion
  • Market Forecast – CAGR of 4.2% from 2025-2032

Segment Insights:

• • Parts Type Market Insights: Tires dominated the market revenues in 2024
  • Vehicle Type Market Insights: The passenger vehicle segment dominates the market and is forecast to grow at the robust growth rate.
  • Certification Type Market Insights: Independent aftermarket (IAM) which includes OE and aftermarket parts are gaining traction
  • Sales Channel Market Insights : Online sales of spares parts in South Africa is forecast to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period

South Africa Automotive Aftermarket Market Growth Drivers

Growing Vehicle in Operations (VIO)

South Africa is the largest automotive vehicle market in Africa, the country has the highest per capita light vehicle population in Africa. In 2023, the South Africa vehicle parc reached 13.2 million vehicles, out of which 60% of the vehicle are passenger cars with 8 million cars on South African road. The VIO in the past years grew at steady rate and it is projected to grow during the forecast period driving demand for automotive aftermarket parts.

Ageing Vehicle Fleet

Increasing average vehicle age of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles is expected to drive higher demand for aftermarket products. As vehicles get older, they typically require more frequent maintenance and replacement parts per kilometre compared to newer models. In the last 5 years only 1.9 new passenger car become a part of VIO in 2024, around 78% of the passenger cars in South Africa are older than 6 years, vehicles older than 6 years are a sweet spot and require more maintenance and replacement parts. Currently, more than 6 million passenger cars are out of warranty in 2024, and the passenger cars with an out of warranty population is projected to grow at a robust CAGR from 2024-2032 creating significant growth opportunities for aftermarket companies.

Recovery in New Vehicle Sales

The new passenger car sales has marginally rebounded in 2024 with a YoY growth of 1.2% over 2023, new passenger car sales reaching 351 thousand units in 2024. Despite of robust positive growth of new vwhcile sales post covid the sales dipped in 2023 by -4.3% over 2022 due to challenging macroeconomic environment weighing on new vehicle sales, economic pressures remained a key concern for the automotive industry in 2023. These headwinds influenced consumer purchasing behaviour, leading to delayed vehicle replacements and more cautious buying decisions.

Robust Sales Growth of Used Car

South Africa’s used vehicle market is gaining momentum, supported by declining new car affordability, the rise of digital sales platforms, and sustained demand for reliable, value-driven vehicles owing to growing shift toward pre-owned vehicles continued to weigh on new passenger car sales, which had yet to recover to pre-pandemic. This will extend the vehicle in operation for additional years will require more spending on maintaining them, as older vehicles require more maintenance supporting higher demand for aftermarket products.

Challenges Faced by South Africa Automotive Aftermarket Companies

The market continues to face challenges from ongoing supply chain disruptions. As South African aftermarket players are heavy reliant on global sourcing for parts and components makes the sector vulnerable to issues such as natural disasters and trade tensions, which can lead to shortages, higher costs, and pressure on aftermarket pricing and product availability.

South Africa Automotive Aftermarket Segment Analysis

South Africa Automotive Aftermarket Replacement Parts Market Insights: Tires dominated the market revenues in 2024

Tires account for the largest share of revenue in the South Africa automotive aftermarket industry in 2024, as they are subject to higher wear and tear and require frequent replacement. Demand for tires is rising due to increasing average vehicle miles travelled (VMT), due to improving living standards and rising income levels are driving higher vehicle usage.

South Africa Automotive Aftermarket Vehicle Market Insights: The passenger vehicle segment dominates the market and is forecast to grow at the robust growth rate.

Passenger vehicles generate the largest share of global aftermarket revenue, supported by their dominant presence in the vehicle-in-operation (VIO) base in 2024, 60% of the vehicle are passenger cars with 8 million cars on South African road. Passenger vehicles is expected to continue to dominate through the forecast period to 2032, strengthening the segment’s long-term importance to the aftermarket.

Automotive Aftermarket Certification Market Insights: Independent aftermarket (IAM) which includes OE and aftermarket parts are gaining traction

The independent aftermarket (IAM) is gaining momentum as the country’s vehicle fleet continues to age. Older vehicles require more frequent repairs and maintenance, and as they remain on the road longer, demand for replacement parts continues to rise. Budget-conscious owners of ageing vehicles increasingly prefer cost-effective alternatives, further supporting growth in the independent aftermarket.

The introduction of South Africa’s right-to-repair policy is set to significantly reshape the aftermarket and repair industry. By removing barriers to entry as owners of vehicles which are under warranty have a choice to repair the vehicle at garage of their choice while maintain the car warranty, the policy aims to increase competition and give consumers more choice, ultimately lowering the cost of servicing and repairing vehicles that are still under manufacturer warranty.

Sales Channel Market Insights : Online sales of spares parts in South Africa is forecast to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period

The growing shift toward e-commerce highlights the increasing importance of digital channels in the sale of replacement parts and automotive services. Consumers are steadily moving away from traditional brick-and-mortar outlets in favor of the convenience, choice, and accessibility offered by online platforms.

South Africa Automotive Aftermarket Major Players & Competitive Landscape

Major automotive aftermarket players operating in South Africa auto parts market are Toyota, Denso, Volkswagen, Suzuki, Ford, Hyundai Mobis, Bosch, GM, Nissan, Delphi, Hella, ZF, Valeo, MANN+HUMMEL, Continental, Michelin and many more.

South Africa’s vehicle market is dominated by Toyota, it’s has the largest vehicle share in country’s VIO, other prominent players are Volkswagen, Suzuki etc. As Toyota vehviles dominates the country vehicle parc, Toyota cars generates the largest market revenues for automotive aftermarket industry in the country. Independent aftermarket players can gain a clear advantage by focusing on Toyota vehicles, given the brand’s dominant market presence and large, ageing vehicle base. Toyota’s vehicle are renowned for longevity, durability, high on-road penetration, supports steady demand for maintenance and replacement parts, creating strong opportunities for cost-competitive aftermarket suppliers.

South Africa’s automotive replacement parts industry is highly dependent on import however the import pattern is shifting away from traditional suppliers such as Germany, Japan, the US, and the UK toward more economical part suppliers countries such as India and China. This is due to the demand for affordable vehicles is on the rise as India is known for small vehicle manufacturing, while Chinese vehicles are gaining traction due to competitive pricing, improving quality, and advanced technology features.

Key Development

• • In April 2025, Mann+Hummel has opened a new 3,200-square-meter manufacturing facility in Kempton Park, Johannesburg. The plant will supply filtration products to South Africa’s commercial vehicle, passenger car, off-highway, and industrial aftermarket segments. It is also positioned as a regional hub for sub-Saharan Africa, underlining the company’s focus on strengthening local manufacturing and regional supply capabilities.
  • During August 2022, Mitsubishi Motors turned out an improved Triton range around the South African Automotive Market. The Mitsubishi Triton8 Single Cab is endowed with Mitsubishi’s well-introduced DOHC inter-cooled 2.4-liter turbo diesel engine, fostering 100kw of power and 324 Nm of ultimate torque. This translates to commendable fuel effectiveness, averaging at 8.0 ltrs per 100 km, giving fleet owners relaxation from soaring fuel costs. In addition, the inclusion of an extensive 75-ltr fuel tank confirms an economical long-distance travel.

South Africa Automotive Aftermarket Scope of the Report

South Africa Automotive Aftermarket Research Report Segmentation

The South Africa Automotive Aftermarket has been segmented on the basis of vehicle type, certification, replacement part. Based on the vehicle type, the market has been segmented into commercial vehicles and passenger vehicles. By replacement parts, the market is segmented into tire, battery, brake parts, filters, Lighting Components, Electronic components, Lubricants, Clutch Parts, Engine Components and others. Based on certification, the market has been segmented into Genuine Parts, Certified Parts, Counterfeit Parts, Others. Based on Sales Channel, the market has been segmented into Offline Channel and Online Channel. 

South Africa Automotive Aftermarket by Vehicle Type

• • Commercial Vehicles
  • Passenger Vehicles

South Africa Automotive Aftermarket by Replacement Parts

• • Tire
  • Battery
  • Brake Parts
  • Filters
    • Air Filter​
    • Oil Filter​
    • Others​
  • Lighting Components​
  • Electronic components​
  • Lubricants​
  • Clutch Parts​
  • Engine Components
    • Timing Belt​
    • Spark Plugs​
    • Others​
  • Others

South Africa Automotive Aftermarket by Certification

• • Genuine Parts
  • Certified Parts
  • Counterfeit Parts
  • Others

South Africa Automotive Aftermarket Market by Sales Channel

• • Offline Channel
  • Online Channel

South Africa Automotive Aftermarket Market Leading players

• • Toyota

  • Denso

  • Volkswagen

  • Suzuki

  • Ford

  • Hyundai Mobis

  • Bosch

  • GM

  • Nissan

  • Delphi

  • Hella

  • ZF

  • Valeo

  • MANN+HUMMEL

  • Continental

  • Michelin