9 Car Ownership Statistics Australia [Updated 2026]
Australia has always been a car mad country.
And while the local car manufacturing industry is now non-existent, it hasn’t done anything to curb the desire for new (and used) vehicles.
To illustrate just how car mad we are, we’ve compiled a list of nine of the most interesting (and illuminating) car ownership statistics to show which cars Aussie’s are buying, how we are paying for them, and how our preferences are shifting.
1. There are more than 22 million registered vehicles in Australia
The total number of registered vehicles in Australia is tipped to surpass 22 million in 2026. The latest census data from 2021 showed the total number of vehicles registered in Australia as 20.1 million, however, since then, new estimates from Drive more than 18-months ago show that the total number of registered vehicles in Australia is set to surpass 22 million in the first half of 2026.
2. The average cost of a new car in Australia in 2026 is $47,462
According to the latest data, the average cost for a new vehicle in Australia is quickly closing in on the (once) elusive $50,000 mark. Given the influx of new EV vehicles hitting our shores for premium mid-range price tags, it should come as no surprise that the average cost of a new car in Australia has increased by more than 20% over the last 5 years. Fewer individuals are purchasing entry-level vehicles and instead opting for mid-range vehicles.
3. The average age of vehicles on the road in Australia is 10.1 years
According to the most recent data, the average age of vehicles on the road in Australia is just over 10-years of age. Granted, this data is now a few years old so we suspect that the average age may actually be creeping down slightly as the number of new vehicles in Australia increases in-line with changing expectations around efficiency.
4. Toyota sold the most new vehicles in Australia in 2025 (239,863)
Toyota lead Australia’s new vehicle sales once again in 2025 with a total 239,863 new vehicles sold to the Australian market in 2025. Despite the fact that this number fell by 0.6% from 2024, Toyota continues to maintain a very healthy buffer over next-best placed brands Ford (94,399), Mazda (91,923), and Kia (82,105). The biggest mover and shaker for 2025 was Hyundai who recorded an impressive 7.7% jump to place 5th on the list at 77,208 total vehicle sales for 2025.
5. The Ford Ranger is Australia’s highest selling passenger vehicle (56,555)
The Ford Ranger was once more Australia’s highest selling vehicle in 2025 with a total of 56,555 sales across the model range. Utes (utility vehicles) accounted for three of the top 5 vehicle sales in 2025 with the Toyota Hilux (51,297) and Isuzu D-Max (26,839) also joining the Ford Ranger in the list of the top 5 highest selling passenger vehicles in Australia for 2025.
6. The average car loan amount in Australia is $34,282
According to the latest research, the average car loan amount in Australia in 2026 is $34,282. This figure reflects the loan amount and not the total vehicle price. The average loan amount for a new vehicle is slightly higher ($46,055), while the average cost for a used vehicle loan in Australia was significantly lower at $28,658.
7. The average car loan interest rate in Australia is 8.92%
The latest data from 2026 shows that the average car interest rate in Q1 2026 is sitting at 8.92% across all new and used car loans. Of course, new cars sit slightly lower on the average, while used cars which carry higher risk for lenders sit slightly higher.
8. The average car loan term is 5 years
The average car loan term in Australia is 5 years or 60-months. According to the latest data, Australian’s are spreading their car loan repayments out over a period of 5-years to balance repayments with total interest.
9. 1 in 4 Australian’s finance used cars
According to the most recent data from Money, 25% of Australian’s are using finance to purchase used vehicles. While many have (incorrectly) assumed the majority of car loans are for new vehicles, the latest data shows that an increasing number of Australian’s are now using car loans to make the most of Australia’s competitive used car market.