Used Automobile Costs Climb Greater As Gross sales Tempo Slows
Common used car itemizing costs rose for the third consecutive month in Might, reaching $26,918, the very best since mid-2023 and up 6% 12 months over 12 months, in keeping with Cox Automotive’s evaluation of vAuto Stay Market View information launched June 12.
In the meantime, used-vehicle stock elevated in Might because the retail gross sales tempo slowed.
Whereas record costs elevated throughout all segments, age teams, and worth tiers, the general improve was pushed primarily by a shift in what was promoting. Each car stock and gross sales priced below $20,000 declined in April, whereas gross sales of higher-priced models grew. Close to-new SUVs are posting the biggest positive factors.
The highest 5 sellers of the month had a mean worth of $25,043, about 7% beneath the common itemizing worth for all used autos bought.
The upper costs at used retail proper now mirror robust wholesale values earlier within the spring, significantly for older, extra reasonably priced autos. Public sale costs – an necessary supply of used-vehicle stock – ran nicely above year-ago ranges earlier in 2026 and have held, carrying via to retail and serving to clarify the sustained positive factors.
Value-conscious patrons proceed to face restricted choices within the used-vehicle market, with stock within the lowest-priced segments remaining scarce. Autos priced below $15,000 carried 33 days’ provide in Might, 12 days beneath the general market common of 45.
Used Autos Provide and Gross sales
Mixed franchised and impartial auto sellers had a complete provide of two.12 million used autos on their tons in Might. Quantity is down 0.6% from a 12 months in the past however up 4% from April. Regardless of the month-to-month achieve, used-vehicle stock stays tight by latest historic requirements.
The retail used-vehicle gross sales tempo slowed in Might, down 3.9% from a 12 months in the past and a pair of% from April. Complete retail quantity is estimated at 1.45 million. Rising financial pressures and rising car costs probably weighed on demand.
On the identical time, enhancing credit score availability, which reached its highest degree since April 2022, and the continued worth proposition of used autos relative to new autos probably offset the affect. Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, Honda, and Nissan have been the top-selling manufacturers once more in Might, accounting for almost 50% of all used autos bought.
New-vehicle gross sales in Might have been up greater than 7% 12 months over 12 months in Might, in keeping with Kelley Blue Guide estimates, a notable divergence between the 2 markets.
The Cox Automotive days’ provide relies on the estimated every day retail gross sales tempo for the latest month. Days’ provide of used autos in Might was 45, up 1 day 12 months over 12 months and up 2 days from the revised April measure of 43. In comparison with April, stock quantity was up 4%, whereas the gross sales tempo decreased by 2%, leading to a 6.1% improve in days’ provide.
CPO Gross sales in Might
Licensed pre-owned (CPO) gross sales decreased 0.9% 12 months over 12 months in Might, in keeping with information reviewed by Cox Automotive. CPO gross sales in Might have been up 6.1% month over month. Might CPO gross sales are estimated at 228,521, up from 215,354 in April. CPO share of whole used-vehicle retail gross sales was 15.7% in Might, up from 15.0% in April. Yr-to-date, CPO gross sales are working roughly 3.3% beneath the identical interval final 12 months.
