January is traditionally the month of “New Year, New Car” resolutions, and 2026 was no different. However, the data reveals that the Western Australian market behaved quite differently from the rest of the country. While the East Coast saw modest growth, WA saw a 12.7% decline in new vehicle registrations, a shift that has had a massive ripple effect on the used car market.

For smart buyers, this “January Reset” has created some unique opportunities. Here’s the breakdown of what happened last month.

1. The “Used” Surge: Why Dealers Reclaimed the Market

With new vehicle sales cooling slightly in WA, buyers flocked to the used market for immediate delivery. One of the biggest trends we saw in January was the shift away from private sales.

• Dealer Market Share: Nationally, dealers now handle nearly 49% of all used car transactions.
• Why? Buyers in January prioritized certainty. With interest rates remaining a hot topic, WA families looked for “Fixed Price” certainty and dealer-backed warranties rather than the risks associated with private “as-is” sales.
  
  

2. SUV Dominance & The Small Car Surprise

SUVs continued their reign, making up over 60% of January sales. However, we saw a massive “value-hunt” for smaller, fuel-efficient vehicles.

• The “Value Heroes”: As cost-of-living pressures hit home after the Christmas break, models like the Toyota Corolla and Hyundai Kona saw a spike in demand.
• The 4×4 Factor: The Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux remain the kings of WA, but with new stock availability finally stabilizing, we’ve seen the “COVID-premium” pricing on used utes finally start to cool.
  
  

3. The Hybrid & PHEV Breakthrough

January 2026 will be remembered as the month the Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) went mainstream in WA. New PHEV sales surged by 170% year-on-year.

Market Tip: This means more trade-ins of traditional petrol SUVs are hitting our yard. If you aren’t ready to go electric yet, there is a “surplus” of high-quality petrol-only SUVs becoming available as early adopters switch to hybrids.

4. What This Means for You in February

The January slowdown in new car sales has led to a re-stocking phase for dealerships like Car Giant WA. We used January to aggressively source high-quality stock.

• Better Inventory: Because we buy in volume, our Jandakot yard is currently holding some of the best “Post-January” stock we’ve seen in years.
• Pricing Stability: The “cooling” trend in WA means prices are the most stable they’ve been since 2019.
  
  

January’s Top Preformers at Car Giant WA:

• Mid-Size SUVs: Mazda CX-5 and Mitsubishi Outlander (the best “bang for buck” right now).
• Workhorses: Late-model Isuzu D-MAX and Ford Rangers.
• Budget-Friendly: Great deals on 2021-2023 hatchbacks.
  
  

Missed out in January? The market has settled, the “New Year” rush is over, and the best value in Western Australia is sitting right here in Jandakot.

Check out our latest arrivals at cargiantwa.au.