Cars24 recorded 5.2 crore unique platform users during the festive season, while car loan disbursements exceeded Rs 300 crore.
Cars24 recorded a 44% year-on-year increase in pre-owned car sales during the 2026 festive season, selling 19,039 vehicles from Navratri through Diwali. The company also disbursed over Rs 300 crore in car loans and attracted 5.2 crore unique users across its digital platforms, with traffic growing by more than 100% compared to the same period last year.
The festive performance data highlights changing trends in India’s used-car market, including increased participation from first-time and rural buyers, rising interest in SUVs and cleaner-fuel vehicles, and growing adoption of digital ownership services.
First-Time and Rural Buyers Drive Festive Demand
Cars24 recorded average daily sales of approximately 630 vehicles during the festive period, around 15% higher than on regular business days. While Delhi-NCR and Bengaluru remained prominent markets, buyers from rural pincodes accounted for 40% of total purchases.
First-time car owners represented 72% of buyers, indicating the growing role of the pre-owned vehicle market in bringing more Indian households into car ownership.
Women also accounted for a larger share of purchases. Their contribution increased to 36% during the 2026 festive season, compared with 31% in 2025.
Car Loan Disbursements Cross Rs 300 Crore
Financing continued to play an important role in supporting festive purchases. Cars24 disbursed more than Rs 300 crore in car loans, with 55% of retail car purchases financed during the period. This was higher than the 53% financing penetration recorded during the previous festive season.
The figures reflect the importance of accessible financing, particularly for first-time buyers looking to make their vehicle purchases more affordable.
Hatchbacks Retain Majority Share as SUVs Grow Faster
Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai and Tata emerged as the three most purchased car brands on Cars24 during the festive period. Models such as the Tata Nexon, Hyundai i10 and Maruti Suzuki Baleno featured among the leading choices.
Hatchbacks continued to account for more than 50% of vehicles sold, while SUVs registered the fastest growth among body styles. Tata recorded an 85% year-on-year increase in pre-owned vehicle sales, making it a notable performer during the period.
Demand for CNG and EVs Exceeds Available Supply
The festive data also highlighted a growing gap between consumer demand and available vehicle supply. Petrol cars accounted for 65% of demand against 58% of supply leads.
CNG and electric vehicles together contributed more than 15% of bookings, despite representing only 10% of supply leads. The trend indicates increasing consumer interest in cleaner-fuel options.
In North India, the share of BS-VI vehicles sold increased by 18%, while sell leads for non-BS-VI vehicles rose by 22%.
Digital Ownership Services Gain Traction
Beyond vehicle purchases, Cars24 recorded more than seven lakh ownership-related transactions during the festive period. At peak activity, approximately one week before Diwali, the platform processed one microtransaction every second during the day.
More than 20 lakh users accessed vehicle information services, including registration certificate details, challan checks and insurance-status information.
Vehicle inspections and verification also gained attention. Cars24 recorded 40,000 vehicle health report bookings and 6.6 lakh searches related to pre-delivery inspections and vehicle health checks. Around 10,000 customers opted for inspections covering new and pre-owned cars, while 30,000 used the company’s vehicle history check service. New-car PDI activity increased 37% month on month.
Cars24 Expects Momentum to Continue
Commenting on the performance, Vikram Chopra, Founder of Cars24, said consumers are increasingly engaging with vehicles beyond the purchase itself, including research, financing, inspections and everyday ownership requirements.
The company believes this wider adoption of digital automotive services, alongside sustained demand for pre-owned cars, will support its business momentum into the new year.
