UAE Used Car Market Trends 2024: Key Insights for 2025 Planning
The used car market in the United Arab Emirates witnessed significant shifts in 2024, shaped by changing consumer preferences, evolving economic conditions, and the growing influence of data in the car-buying journey. From the rise of hybrid vehicles to pricing trends impacting popular models, both buyers and sellers navigated a landscape that demanded clarity and insight.
Drawing from the 2024 Auto Data Used Car Market Report, this article summarizes the key trends that defined the market—and what buyers and sellers can learn as they prepare for 2025. Whether you plan to sell your SUV or scout for a fuel-efficient sedan, understanding last year’s data will help you make more confident decisions moving forward.
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2024 Market Performance: Growth Beyond Expectations
A 19.1% Surge
The UAE’s used car market grew by 19.1% in 2024, reaching 330,532 registered vehicles compared to 277,525 units in 2023. This strong performance reflected a recovery in consumer confidence and greater activity in key segments like SUVs and hybrids.
Toyota Led, But Challenger Brands Rose
- Mitsubishi posted +45.4% growth.
- Ford surged by +64.4%.
- MG continued its upward momentum with +29.3%.
These shifts indicated a diversification of consumer trust beyond traditional top players.
The Rise of Chinese Automakers
One of the standout findings: Jetour recorded an extraordinary +882% growth rate. Other Chinese brands like Chery and MG also achieved strong double-digit gains. Once considered niche options, Chinese brands started reshaping the mid-market segment in a very visible way.
Best-Selling Models in the UAE: Familiar Names, New Momentum
Nissan Patrol Reigns Supreme
For the first time since 2020, the Nissan Patrol overtook the Nissan Sunny as the top-selling model in the UAE. Its +22.4% growth reflected ongoing demand for premium SUVs that offered both off-road capability and family comfort.
Hybrid Sedans Gain Ground
The Toyota Camry HEV saw +42.8% growth, signaling that buyers increasingly valued fuel efficiency and hybrid technology. At the same time, iconic models like the Toyota Hilux and Land Cruiser continued to perform strongly across the Emirates.
Jetour T2 Joins the Top 10
A notable newcomer, the Jetour T2, entered the Top 10 rankings with a 1.7% market share—highlighting how quickly consumers embraced competitively priced alternatives from emerging brands.
Fuel Preferences and Powertrain Shifts
Hybrid Momentum Outpaces EV Adoption
Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) dominated growth in 2024. Models like the Camry HEV, Lexus UX 250h, and even the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Hybrid gained traction among UAE buyers looking for efficiency without compromising range.
Meanwhile, full battery electric vehicles (EVs) continued to grow, albeit at a slower pace. The Tesla Model 3 made its Top 10 debut, while premium EVs like the BMW iX and Audi Q8 e-tron solidified electric options in the luxury segment.
Hybrids captured the most attention in the used car market, balancing lower running costs with easier ownership compared to fully electric models.
Pricing Trends: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know
A Market with Contrasts, Not Constants
Pricing dynamics in 2024 were anything but static. The Auto Data Used Car Market Report revealed that pricing was shaped not just by mileage and condition, but also by evolving brand perceptions, technology adoption, and supply dynamics.
- Mitsubishi and MG models saw upward price movement thanks to increasing consumer trust.
- Toyota maintained excellent value retention despite a minor dip in market share.
- Premium brands like Land Rover and Mercedes-Benz commanded strong second-hand pricing due to limited supply and enduring demand.
Pricing also increasingly correlated with energy efficiency and brand reputation. Hybrid models like the Camry HEV, for example, enjoyed stronger resale values due to growing awareness of fuel savings and eco-friendliness.
Demand Trends: What Shifted in 2024
- SUVs and crossovers continued gaining ground, driven by lifestyle needs and a preference for versatility.
- Sedans, although still strong, saw a modest relative decline.
- Hybrid vehicles jumped from being a “niche interest” to a “mainstream expectation.”
- Chinese brands transitioned from being alternatives to becoming core choices for value-seeking buyers.
The data suggested that 2025 would likely continue these trends—with greater emphasis on hybrids, growing acceptance of EVs, and a more open-minded consumer base toward newer brands.
What This Means for Sellers
Trust and Transparency Became Essential
Sellers who highlighted their vehicle’s full service history, accident-free records, and efficient ownership costs positioned themselves for faster, higher-value sales.
History reports from trusted providers like Vehicle Report became a key selling asset—not just a formality.
For Buyers, Data = Confidence
What Buyers Looked For
- Verified service and ownership records
- Hybrid or efficient fuel options
- Models with a strong resale track record (Patrol, Camry HEV, Land Cruiser)
Key Takeaways for Buyers
- Hybrid models offered not just efficiency but long-term value.
- Full vehicle history reports were no longer optional—they were expected.
- Emerging brands offered new opportunities but required careful research.
Vehicle History is the New Currency
Verified Data Drove Decisions
Ownership transparency, accident records, maintenance consistency—these were the factors that separated great deals from risky purchases.
Using tools like Vehicle Report’s VIN Check, buyers and sellers could navigate transactions with data-backed confidence, aligning asking prices with real-world market value and vehicle condition.
The UAE’s used car market in 2024 showed that knowledge, transparency, and data were the real advantages.
As the market matures and 2025 approaches, those who leverage reports like the Auto Data Used Car Market Report—and tools like Vehicle Report—will have the upper hand, whether buying, selling, or planning for the future.
Whether you’re buying or selling, platforms like Vehicle Report and research sources like AutoData’s 2024 Report give you the context and tools you need to make smarter moves.
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