How 2025 Vehicle Registration Trends Reflect Market Shifts in Mauritius

Mauritius’ 2025 vehicle registration figures reveal a market that reacted quickly to changes in taxes and duties. To support this analysis, two reference charts are attached at the end of this article: Registration of New and Second-Hand Vehicle in December 2025 and Registration of New Vehicles in December 2025 by Make, Type and Number. These charts provide helpful context for understanding how registrations evolved toward the end of the year and how different segments performed.

Total vehicle registrations for 2025 reached 38,062 units, made up of 26,526 new vehicles and 11,536 imported second-hand vehicles. This balance points to continued strength in the new-vehicle market, while also confirming the ongoing importance of used imports for value-conscious buyers. Passenger cars led overall volumes with 16,943 registrations, split between 9,856 new and 7,087 imported vehicles, showing healthy demand across a wide range of price points.

A Mid-Year Surge Driven by Policy Changes

One of the most striking features of the 2025 data is the surge in registrations around mid-year, particularly in June. Activity across most vehicle categories increased noticeably in the weeks leading up to July, reflecting a clear shift in buyer behaviour ahead of upcoming fiscal changes.

During 2025, several cost-related measures were introduced, including higher excise and customs duties on imported petrol and diesel vehicles, the end of the negative excise duty scheme for electric vehicles, and an increase of around 30 per cent in registration duty for first-time registrations. As these changes came into effect between June and July, many buyers accelerated purchases to register vehicles under the previous duty structure.

Dealers and importers reported heightened enquiry levels and faster conversion rates during this period, particularly in the passenger car and utility segments where duty increases had the most direct impact on final pricing.

New Vehicles Versus Imported Second-Hand

Once the revised duties and registration charges were fully in place, registrations of imported second-hand vehicles softened relative to new vehicles. While imports continued to represent a meaningful share of the market, higher import-related costs narrowed the price gap, making new vehicles more attractive to buyers seeking warranties, predictable ownership costs and access to structured financing.

Commercial vehicle categories showed greater resilience. Double cab pick-ups recorded 1,255 registrations during the year, the majority of which were new vehicles. This reflects their continued use in business operations where reliability, after-sales support and uptime are key considerations rather than upfront cost alone.

Two-wheelers also played an important role in overall mobility. In 2025, 3,914 motorcycles and 820 auto cycles were registered, highlighting their continued relevance for urban transport and cost-sensitive users, even as tax changes affected larger vehicle categories.

Stability in Commercial and Utility Segments

Commercial registrations remained relatively stable throughout the year. Lorries and trucks accounted for 643 registrations, while vans contributed a further 258 units. Although smaller in volume compared to passenger cars, these figures underline consistent demand from sectors such as logistics, construction and small-to-medium enterprises.

Even specialised categories like tractors and prime movers recorded steady volumes, suggesting that where vehicles are essential tools of trade, purchasing decisions are less influenced by short-term duty increases. For these buyers, operational necessity outweighs price volatility.

Key Takeaways from the 2025 Data

Several broader patterns emerge from the year’s registration trends. Buyers in Mauritius are highly responsive to clear cost signals and will adjust purchasing timing when increases are imminent. Imported second-hand vehicles remain an important part of the market, but sharp duty increases can quickly shift demand in favour of new vehicles offering financing and after-sales value. Commercial and utility vehicles continue to show strong resilience, driven by business needs rather than discretionary spending.

What This Means for the Industry

For dealers, importers, financiers and digital marketplaces, the 2025 registration data offers practical lessons. Clear communication around tax and duty changes can strongly influence buyer behaviour, making transparency a key part of any sales strategy. Maintaining a balanced mix of new and imported stock helps absorb shifts in demand, while competitive financing can keep new vehicles accessible even as costs rise.

Platforms such as AutoCloud add value in this environment by allowing buyers to compare vehicles across categories, prices and ownership considerations in one place. As the market moves into 2026, the 2025 figures highlight a vehicle sector that is adaptable, cost-aware and increasingly strategic in how purchasing decisions are made.