US Used-Car Prices Fall for Second Month

2026-09-08 13:14 By Joana Ferreira 1 min. read

The Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index, a widely followed gauge of wholesale used-vehicle prices in the US, fell 0.9% month-on-month in August 2026, marking a second consecutive monthly decline.

On a yearly basis, price growth slowed to 0.4%, the weakest pace since December 2025, as resilience in EV and compact-car prices was offset by continued declines in pickups and SUVs.

Cox Automotive Chief Economist Jeremy Robb said depreciation was stronger in July and early August before easing toward the end of the month.

While younger vehicle cohorts saw greater depreciation, older and more affordable cars held up better, with nine- and 10-year-old vehicles remaining about six percentage points above their long-term averages, underscoring steady demand for affordable used cars.

Used retail sales continued to strengthen through August, while retail days’ supply fell to 44 days from 46 at the end of July.

Stronger demand and tighter supply continued to support dealer purchases from Manheim.



News Stream
US Used-Car Prices Fall for Second Month
The Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index, a widely followed gauge of wholesale used-vehicle prices in the US, fell 0.9% month-on-month in August 2026, marking a second consecutive monthly decline. On a yearly basis, price growth slowed to 0.4%, the weakest pace since December 2025, as resilience in EV and compact-car prices was offset by continued declines in pickups and SUVs. Cox Automotive Chief Economist Jeremy Robb said depreciation was stronger in July and early August before easing toward the end of the month. While younger vehicle cohorts saw greater depreciation, older and more affordable cars held up better, with nine- and 10-year-old vehicles remaining about six percentage points above their long-term averages, underscoring steady demand for affordable used cars. Used retail sales continued to strengthen through August, while retail days’ supply fell to 44 days from 46 at the end of July. Stronger demand and tighter supply continued to support dealer purchases from Manheim.
2026-09-08
US Used Car Prices Fall in July
The Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index, a widely followed measure of wholesale used-vehicle prices in the US market, decreased 1.4% month-over-month in July 2026, the first decline in three months, after edging up 0.1% in June. EV prices decreased 2.1% and non-EV were down 1.1%. Year-on-year, used-vehicle prices increased 1.3%, the smallest annual gain so far this year, led by rises in EVs (10.5%) and compact cars (4.1%). Prices also increased slightly for non-EVs (0.4%) and luxury (0.8%). In contrast, decreases were seen for pickups (-2.3%), SUVs (-1.7%) and midsize cars (-1.4%). “Wholesale values kept normalizing through July, continuing the pattern since the spring bounce peaked in March", according to Jonathan Gregory, Senior Director, Cox Automotive. "Gas prices reversed course and moved higher again as July went on, after briefly easing in June. That’s kept demand for used EVs firm even as the broader market cools", he added.
2026-08-07
Used Car Prices in the US Slow in June
The Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index, a widely followed measure of wholesale used-vehicle prices in the US market, edged up 0.1% month-over-month in June 2026, following a 0.3% rise in May. Prices for EVs rose 1.7% while non-EVs increased 0.2%. Year-on-year, prices went up 2.1%, below 3.6% in May, mostly due to a base effect. Compared with a year earlier, prices increased for compact cars (4.8%), luxury (1.4%) and midsize cars (0.1%) while a decline was recorded for SUVs (-0.8%) and Pickups (-0.3%). EVs cost went up 12% while non-EVs rose 1.7%. "The story of the first half is a strong tax-refund season that pushed values to levels we haven’t seen in a few years, peaking in March before normalizing, leaving the index about 1% off that March high. The bigger picture remains one of balance", according to Jonathan Gregory, Senior Director, Cox Automotive.
2026-07-08