US Used-Vehicle Prices Hit 2023 Highs

Wholesale used-vehicle prices in the US climbed 1.4% month-over-month in March 2026, marking the fifth straight month of increases and pushing the Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index to 215.3, its highest level since summer 2023. Prices also surged 6.2% year-over-year. Jeremy Robb, Cox Automotive’s chief economist, attributed the strength to strong consumer demand fueled by higher tax refunds and tight inventory levels, despite initial concerns over the Middle East conflict’s impact. Cox noted that sales conversion rates remained above normal in Q1, signaling robust dealer demand. Electric vehicle (EV) prices at wholesale are also rising as off-lease EV maturities increase, driving EV weighting in the Manheim index to a record 3.9% in March. Dealers appear to be stocking up on used EVs, anticipating higher demand as gas prices surpass $4.00 per gallon.

The US Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index increased 0.8% month-over-month in February 2026, following a 2.4% jump in January. Prices for EVs rose 0.8% and non-EVs went up 0.9%. Year-on-year, prices of used cars increased rose 4%, the biggest annual gain since June last year. Prices for the luxury segment increased 4.1%, SUVs went up 2% and midsize cars gained 1.3% while compact cars (0.6%) and pickups (0.8%) continue to see relatively weak price growth compared to this time last year. Prices for EVs rose 1.8% and non-EVs went up 3.7%. “We had planned for a stronger January from a pricing perspective, but wholesale values moved even faster than we expected on the back of strong retail demand, driving the MUVVI to its highest reading since September 2023. With tax refund season officially starting last week, we are expecting that more consumers will be getting refunds – and that the size of those refunds will hit a new record”, Jeremy Robb, Chief Economist at Cox Automotive said.

The US Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index jumped 2.4% month-over-month in January 2026, the most since April last year, compared to a 0.1% gain in the previous month. EV prices increased 0.4% from December and Non-EV went up 2.2%. “We had planned for a stronger January from a pricing perspective, but wholesale values moved even faster than we expected on the back of strong retail demand, driving the MUVVI to its highest reading since September 2023. With tax refund season officially starting last week, we are expecting that more consumers will be getting refunds – and that the size of those refunds will hit a new record. Those factors should help consumers punch the ticket on some big-ticket purchases”, according to Jeremy Robb, Chief Economist, Cox Automotive. Year-on-year, used car prices also increased 2.4%, led by the luxury segment (1.6%) and non-electric vehicles (2.2%), while compact cars posted a 0.2% decline. Prices for EVs increased 0.8%.