Gurugram : Navratri 2025 opened on a record-breaking note for India’s pre-owned car market. CARS24, India’s leading autotech platform, reported a staggering 400% jump in car deliveries by 2:00 pm on Day 1 of Navratri compared to daily averages, underscoring the powerful start to the festive season. And it wasn’t just buyers driving the surge as families prepared for Navratri; they were also gearing up to sell their cars, with over 5,000+ inspections recorded in a single day, the highest in the last four years on the platform.

Additionally, the revised GST slabs that came into effect today have lowered automobile ownership costs across the board. While aimed at new cars, the ripple effect has been immediate in the used car market, where affordability is key and decisions are faster. Navratri, traditionally a high-volume buying period, amplified the momentum.

Day 1 numbers highlight the cars buyers are rushing to book:

  • Entry-level hatchbacks like Maruti Swift, Hyundai GrandI10 and Maruti Ritz continue to dominate bookings, especially among first-time buyers.

  • Compact SUVs such as Honda Elevate and Maruti Suzuki Brezza saw the sharpest growth (25% higher than normal), as families looked to upgrade.

  • Mid-size sedans like Hyundai Verna and Maruti Suzuki Dzire regained traction, reflecting aspirational yet budget-conscious buyers.

Most cars were bought in Delhi-NCR, followed by Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Pune, and Mumbai.

For selling a car, the momentum was most visible in Delhi-NCR, which recorded the highest number of inspections, followed by Bengaluru, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, and Pune. While most sellers booked their inspections online, many still chose to visit CARS24 hubs in person. In several hubs, the demand for vehicle inspection was so intense that car owners were seen lining up outside to get their vehicles inspected, a scene that underlined the unprecedented festive rush.  A large share of sellers on Day 1 also booked another car the very same day, using the festive window to upgrade.

CARS24 has combined the natural festive rush with meaningful savings for its customers. Alongside record demand, the company has passed on GST benefits directly to buyers, offering discounts of up to ₹80,000 this Navratri. Add to this the instant availability of pre-owned cars without the long wait times of new vehicles and it’s clear why families are turning to used cars as their festive choice this year.

“Behind every number today is a family story: a father taking his kids for their first drive, a young couple celebrating their first big purchase together, parents upgrading to something safer for their children. If this is just Day 1 of Navratri, I can’t wait to see how many more lives we can touch in the days ahead.” added Himanshu Ratnoo, CEO-India, CARS24

The growing preference for used cars signals a fundamental shift in consumer priorities. As new car prices continue to rise due to input costs, regulatory changes, and premiumisation, households are increasingly turning to pre-owned vehicles to balance aspiration with affordability. The latest GST reforms have amplified this trend by lowering the effective cost of ownership, making upgrades more attainable across income groups.

With affordability improving and festive sentiment driving urgency, India’s pre-owned car market is poised to capture a record share of automobile sales this quarter. If Day 1 of Navratri is any indication, 2025 could be the festive season when used cars firmly transition from being the alternative choice to becoming the mainstream option in Indian households.