Chennai’s second-hand car market is a mirror of the city itself, often regarded as practical and rooted in tradition, yet open to change. Buyers in the city are deeply focused on commuter needs, but they also explore lifestyle upgrades and cleaner technologies. The mix of used hatchbacks, SUVs, and emerging EVs reflects how Chennai balances affordability with aspiration, and how mobility choices are evolving in one of India’s most important metros.
Cars24 data shows hatchbacks account for 58.22% of Chennai’s second-hand car transactions, SUVs hold 20%, and sedans make up 21.78%. Electric vehicles remain a sliver of the market, but their presence is growing as Tamil Nadu’s EV policy and charging infrastructure expand¹. These numbers reveal how Chennai’s buyers balance practicality, lifestyle, and sustainability in their choices.
Hatchbacks remain the commuter’s choice
For dense traffic and compact neighbourhoods, used hatchbacks in Chennaiare the natural fit. With nearly six out of 10 buyers opting for them, hatchbacks dominate the resale market. The average hatchback is from 2014 and has run 83,661 kilometres, showing long ownership cycles and resilience, according to Cars24.
Popular models like the used Hyundai i10, Maruti Suzuki Swift, and Wagon R are favoured for affordability and ease of parking. For families and first-time buyers, hatchbacks deliver the right mix of practicality and value. This resale strength is backed by Cars24’s inspection process and data-based pricing, so buyers feel secure about both quality and expense.
Hatchbacks also tend to depreciate more slowly, making used examples more attractive for buyers who are highly cost-conscious and wish to sell or upgrade their cars in the future. In Chennai, where commuting patterns often involve short trips within the city, hatchbacks provide the right balance of efficiency and convenience. Their dominance in the second-hand market underscores their role as the city’s commuter backbone.
SUVs capture lifestyle aspirations
SUVs are steadily gaining traction in Chennai’s second-hand market, accounting for 20% of transactions. With an average model year of 2017 and mileage of 76,357 kilometres, used SUVs in Chennai are relatively newer and often used for longer trips, including intercity travel along Tamil Nadu’s expanding highway network.
Buyers are drawn to models like the used Hyundai Creta, Renault Duster, and Mahindra XUV500, which combine comfort and features with road presence. The SUV trend reflects a shift toward lifestyle-oriented purchases, where families and younger professionals are willing to spend more for safety, space, and status. SUVs also tend to depreciate more slowly, making them attractive for resale value.
Their rise also coincides with the growing preference for automatic transmission, which accounts for 16.43% of Chennai’s second-hand car sales. Used automatic car examples are often newer and show lower kilometres clocked on the odometer, ensuring they have a lot left to give to their new owners, providing comfort in a cost-effective manner. As manufacturers continue to introduce automatic transmission SUVs and premium hatchbacks, this share is expected to grow further.
EVs spark cautious interest
Used Electric vehicles remain niche, but their average year of manufacture is 2021, and mileage is low. This suggests cautious adoption, supported by Tamil Nadu’s EV policy¹ and national momentum. According to the International Energy Agency, India’s EV market is expected to grow significantly by 2030².
Models like the used Tata Nexon EV and Hyundai Kona are beginning to appear in resale listings. While resale values are still stabilising, EVs offer lower running costs and align with Chennai’s growing environmental awareness. Cars24’s verified inspections and ownership protection give buyers confidence in exploring these newer technologies.
Though still small, EVs in Chennai represent the city’s gradual shift toward sustainability. Policy support, charging infrastructure, and growing awareness are likely to accelerate adoption in the coming years. For now, EVs remain a cautious but promising choice in the second-hand market.
A trusted platform for a city on the move
Chennai’s second-hand car market shows how buyers blend tradition with aspiration. Hatchbacks remain the trusted commuter choice, SUVs represent lifestyle upgrades, and EVs signal cautious steps toward sustainability. Ownership cycles are long, but newer SUVs and automatics reveal a willingness to invest in comfort.
Cars24’s platform ensures every buyer gets verified quality, transparent pricing, and unmatched protection, as also 300-point inspections to warranty coverage and a 30-day return policy. In Chennai, that means second-hand cars are not just affordable alternatives, but trusted companions for a city in motion.
References:
1) https://investingintamilnadu.com/DIGIGOV/StaticAttachment?AttachmentFileName=/pdf/poli_noti/TN_Electric_Vehicles_Policy_2023.pdf
-https://infra.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/urban-transportation/tn-govt-keen-on-upgrading-ev-infrastructure-in-state-industries-minister/106420225
2) https://www.iea.org/reports/global-ev-outlook-2023
Cars24 data shows hatchbacks account for 58.22% of Chennai’s second-hand car transactions, SUVs hold 20%, and sedans make up 21.78%. Electric vehicles remain a sliver of the market, but their presence is growing as Tamil Nadu’s EV policy and charging infrastructure expand¹. These numbers reveal how Chennai’s buyers balance practicality, lifestyle, and sustainability in their choices.
Hatchbacks remain the commuter’s choice
For dense traffic and compact neighbourhoods, used hatchbacks in Chennaiare the natural fit. With nearly six out of 10 buyers opting for them, hatchbacks dominate the resale market. The average hatchback is from 2014 and has run 83,661 kilometres, showing long ownership cycles and resilience, according to Cars24.
Popular models like the used Hyundai i10, Maruti Suzuki Swift, and Wagon R are favoured for affordability and ease of parking. For families and first-time buyers, hatchbacks deliver the right mix of practicality and value. This resale strength is backed by Cars24’s inspection process and data-based pricing, so buyers feel secure about both quality and expense.
Hatchbacks also tend to depreciate more slowly, making used examples more attractive for buyers who are highly cost-conscious and wish to sell or upgrade their cars in the future. In Chennai, where commuting patterns often involve short trips within the city, hatchbacks provide the right balance of efficiency and convenience. Their dominance in the second-hand market underscores their role as the city’s commuter backbone.
SUVs capture lifestyle aspirations
SUVs are steadily gaining traction in Chennai’s second-hand market, accounting for 20% of transactions. With an average model year of 2017 and mileage of 76,357 kilometres, used SUVs in Chennai are relatively newer and often used for longer trips, including intercity travel along Tamil Nadu’s expanding highway network.
Buyers are drawn to models like the used Hyundai Creta, Renault Duster, and Mahindra XUV500, which combine comfort and features with road presence. The SUV trend reflects a shift toward lifestyle-oriented purchases, where families and younger professionals are willing to spend more for safety, space, and status. SUVs also tend to depreciate more slowly, making them attractive for resale value.
Their rise also coincides with the growing preference for automatic transmission, which accounts for 16.43% of Chennai’s second-hand car sales. Used automatic car examples are often newer and show lower kilometres clocked on the odometer, ensuring they have a lot left to give to their new owners, providing comfort in a cost-effective manner. As manufacturers continue to introduce automatic transmission SUVs and premium hatchbacks, this share is expected to grow further.
EVs spark cautious interest
Used Electric vehicles remain niche, but their average year of manufacture is 2021, and mileage is low. This suggests cautious adoption, supported by Tamil Nadu’s EV policy¹ and national momentum. According to the International Energy Agency, India’s EV market is expected to grow significantly by 2030².
Models like the used Tata Nexon EV and Hyundai Kona are beginning to appear in resale listings. While resale values are still stabilising, EVs offer lower running costs and align with Chennai’s growing environmental awareness. Cars24’s verified inspections and ownership protection give buyers confidence in exploring these newer technologies.
Though still small, EVs in Chennai represent the city’s gradual shift toward sustainability. Policy support, charging infrastructure, and growing awareness are likely to accelerate adoption in the coming years. For now, EVs remain a cautious but promising choice in the second-hand market.
A trusted platform for a city on the move
Chennai’s second-hand car market shows how buyers blend tradition with aspiration. Hatchbacks remain the trusted commuter choice, SUVs represent lifestyle upgrades, and EVs signal cautious steps toward sustainability. Ownership cycles are long, but newer SUVs and automatics reveal a willingness to invest in comfort.
Cars24’s platform ensures every buyer gets verified quality, transparent pricing, and unmatched protection, as also 300-point inspections to warranty coverage and a 30-day return policy. In Chennai, that means second-hand cars are not just affordable alternatives, but trusted companions for a city in motion.
References:
1) https://investingintamilnadu.com/DIGIGOV/StaticAttachment?AttachmentFileName=/pdf/poli_noti/TN_Electric_Vehicles_Policy_2023.pdf
-https://infra.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/urban-transportation/tn-govt-keen-on-upgrading-ev-infrastructure-in-state-industries-minister/106420225
2) https://www.iea.org/reports/global-ev-outlook-2023
