Browse any of the major used cars websites or check the latest FADA reports, and two names keep topping the lists: Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai. These brands are not only dominating new-car sales, they are also the first choice of a large portion of buyers exploring used cars across the country.
Their dominance is a result of long-standing trust, massive product reach and a deeper understanding of what Indian consumers truly appreciate. When you combine all the data together, the trend is quite obvious: both brands have created ecosystems that keep them ahead and that too for good reasons.
1. The Volume Advantage That Feeds Both Markets
Maruti Suzuki controls approximately 40% of the new-car market in India and Hyundai holds around 12 to 14% of the market. As they together control more than half of the new car market, there is a continuous stream of trade-ins and well-kept used cars.
The used market shows the same trend:
- Maruti Suzuki: Around 36% of used-car sales (2024)
- Hyundai: Around 22% of used-car sales (2024)
It is obvious that the demand for used Hyundai and Maruti is not incidental but structural because buyers prefer predictability over experimentation.
2. A Service Network That Makes Ownership Stress-Free
India prefers brands that make ownership simple. Maruti has the largest service network in the country and covers areas that many of its competitors don’t reach. Hyundai comes in second with good service ratings and the availability of parts. This eliminates two major concerns for used-car buyers:
- Expensive repairs
- Long wait times for parts
It is a major reason that makes second hand Maruti and Hyundai models sell quicker than their counterparts that have limited workshop coverage.
3. Cars That Fit How India Drives
The Swift, Baleno, WagonR, Brezza, i10, Grand i10, Venue, and Creta are among the leading sellers of new and used models year after year. This is because these cars match everyday Indian needs with:
- Efficient engines
- Comfortable city capability
- Low maintenance
- Resale-friendly body styles
These models age predictably even after 5-7 years, and this makes them the ideal picks for buyers scanning listings for used cars.
4. High Trust Factor Boosting Used-Market Demand
A first-time buyer or someone who is upgrading from a bike usually begins by searching for Maruti or Hyundai. The perceived risk is less because of the trust that has been established over the decades. This confidence is directly translated into resale power with:
- Faster selling times
- Fewer negotiations
- Higher retained value
5. Feature Strategy That Keeps Cars Relevant for Longer
Hyundai’s approach to features with large touchscreens, digital clusters, connected technology and ventilated seats has pushed the segment forward. On the other hand, Maruti maintained its focus on reliability, low running costs and expanding safety features.
Because of this, a 4–6 year old Creta, Baleno, or i20 still feels up-to-date, which increases demand in the second-hand market and resale prices remain stable.
6. Rise of Organised Used-Car Ecosystems
Over the last ten years, India has positively shifted towards organised and structured used car platforms. People now rely on data for used car pricing and trusted platforms also offer warranties and buyback guarantees, which makes ownership hassle-free. This new-age ecosystem is building consumer trust and more people are now inclined towards the used car market to get a better deal.
7. Used Luxury Cars Are Growing Too
As Maruti and Hyundai dominate the mainstream used sales, the premium market in India is experiencing a different trend, which is the rise of used luxury cars. For many buyers, a used Mercedes, BMW, or Audi is now within reach because of depreciation, competitive prices, systematic certification and higher demand.
But even though the luxury segment presents something new and unique, it comes with its own set of quirks, like higher maintenance costs and longer wait times for part availability. That is why a large chunk of Indian buyers lean on Maruti and Hyundai in the used and new car market.
Summary
Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai are not winning India’s car market by chance. They have scaled, extended the reach of their services, made features relevant and engraved long-term reliability into their identity. That is why they control not only sales of new cars but also the used cars market, and why a lot of buyers still rely on them year after year.
Starting with the utilitarian hatchbacks to the high-end SUVs and even the used luxury cars segment, the car market in India is booming and these two brands stand as the pillars. Maruti and Hyundai define what the majority of Indian families seek in used cars, which is reliability, familiarity and practicality.
