The Maruti Suzuki Swift has emerged as India's most popular used car, dominating both metro and non-metro markets, according to the Cars24 Team-BHP Gears of Growth report. The hatchback holds a 4.93 percent share of all used car transactions nationally in 2025, leading in metro cities at 5 percent and in non-metro regions at 4.80 percent.
Unmatched Lead Across Geographies
No other model appears at the top of more than one list. The Swift tops all three: national, metro, and non-metro rankings. The second-placed Wagon R holds 3.47 percent nationally, nearly 1.5 percentage points behind. In non-metro markets, the Swift's 4.80 percent share leads the Swift Dzire at 3.08 percent. This margin is significant in a market where the entire top 10 is separated by about three percentage points.
Below the top spot, preferences diverge. Metro buyers favor the Honda City and Baleno, linked to upgrade demand and automatic gearboxes. Non-metro buyers rank the Swift Dzire second and include the Alto, which the report describes as value-led and economical to maintain.
Why the Used Swift Dominates
The report highlights several reasons for the Swift's widespread appeal. Hatchbacks still dominate the used car market, accounting for 52 percent of transactions in 2025, compared to 32 percent for SUVs and 16 percent for sedans. The Swift fits perfectly into this demand as a cheap-to-run, city-friendly car.
Manual gearboxes constitute 72 percent of used car sales, especially outside metros. Most used Swifts are manual, frugal on fuel, and inexpensive to repair, aligning with the largest buyer pool. Additionally, Maruti's extensive service network and high resale value make the Swift a safe choice for first-time buyers. The report notes that the Swift's lead stems from its appeal across price points and age groups.
Limitations and Future Trends
However, the data is based on Cars24 transactions from over 33 million users as of December 2025, not national registrations. Part of the Swift's lead is due to high supply from new car sales. The report also shows the Creta as the only SUV in the national top 10, indicating growing demand for SUVs. SUV share in the used market has more than doubled since 2023, from 15 percent to 32 percent. As new SUVs enter the used market in coming years, the hatchback's dominance may weaken.
For now, the Swift remains the top choice in a used car market splitting into two Indias: one upgrading and one just arriving.
