Used Car Market Statistics 2026: Prices, Sales, Inventory, Financing, and CPO Data

These used car market statistics highlight the latest U.S. figures on used-vehicle prices, retail sales, dealer inventory, financing costs, certified pre-owned sales, and wholesale market values.

Used Car Market Statistics (Top Highlights)

• The U.S. used-vehicle market reached about 37.4 million total sales in 2024, including 19.9 million retail sales.
• Cox Automotive projected retail used-vehicle sales at 20.3 million for 2026, following stronger-than-expected 2025 performance.
• Edmunds reported the average transaction price for used vehicles was $27,252 in 2024.
• That 2024 used-vehicle transaction price was 5.4% lower than 2023, but 32.2% higher than 2019.
• At the start of January 2026, dealers had 2.20 million used vehicles in inventory, equal to 49 days of supply.
• By February 2026, used inventory had moved down to 2.13 million vehicles and 42 days of supply.
• The average used-vehicle listing price was $26,043 at the start of January 2026 and $25,287 in February 2026.
• February 2026 used retail sales volume was estimated at 1.41 million vehicles, up from 1.38 million in January.
• Used cars priced below $15,000 had only 31 days of supply in February 2026, showing how tight the affordable segment remains.
• Experian reported the average used-car loan amount reached $27,528 in Q4 2025, while the average monthly payment was $537.
• Used-vehicle registrations edged up from 9.0 million in Q4 2024 to 9.1 million in Q4 2025.
• CarGurus found vehicles priced under $30,000 accounted for roughly 73% of the year-over-year increase in used sales during 2025.
• Full-year certified pre-owned sales totaled 2.5 million in 2024 and 2.61 million in 2025.
• The Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index stood at 205.5 in December 2025 and reached 212.3 in February 2026.

Used Car Price Statistics

Used-car prices remain well above pre-pandemic levels even after easing from their recent peak. Edmunds data shows the average used-vehicle transaction price in 2024 was below 2023, but still dramatically above 2019.

Max = $28,796. Widths: 2019 71.60%, 2023 100.00%, 2024 94.64%

The key takeaway is that used vehicles became a little cheaper in 2024 versus 2023, but the market is still far more expensive than it was before 2020. That keeps affordability pressure elevated for budget-minded buyers.

Retail Used Car Sales Statistics

Recent monthly data shows the used market started 2026 with healthy retail activity. Cox Automotive estimated that used retail sales improved from December into February even as inventory tightened.

Max = 1.41M. Widths: Dec 2025 95.04%, Jan 2026 97.87%, Feb 2026 100.00%

Inventory stayed tight during the same period. Dealers had 2.20 million used vehicles in stock at the start of January 2026, then 2.18 million at the end of January, and 2.13 million in February. Days of supply moved from 49 at the start of January to 48 at the end of January and 42 in February.

Affordable vehicles remain especially scarce. In February 2026, used cars priced below $15,000 had only 31 days of supply, which helps explain why cheaper used models continue to sell quickly when they reach the market.

Used Car Financing Statistics

Financing remains one of the biggest constraints on used-car affordability. Even when average rates eased late in 2025, loan balances and monthly payments still remained high.

Max = $537. Widths: Q1 2025 payment 97.02%, Q4 2025 payment 100.00%

Experian said the average used-car loan amount rose from $26,144 in Q1 2025 to $27,528 in Q4 2025. Over the same span, the average used loan interest rate slipped from 11.9% to 11.26%, but the monthly payment still increased from $521 to $537 because buyers were financing larger balances.

That combination means used vehicles still offer a lower entry price than new cars, but the financing burden remains heavy for many households.

Certified Pre-Owned Statistics

Certified pre-owned remains an important part of the used-car market, especially for buyers who want newer inventory with warranty backing. Recent data shows CPO volumes improved in 2025 after a weak 2024.

Max = 228,237. Widths: Dec 2022 98.69%, Dec 2023 100.00%, Dec 2024 95.17%, Dec 2025 96.74%

Full-year CPO sales were 2.5 million in 2024, down 3.6% from 2023. In 2025, CPO sales finished at 2.61 million, up 2.1% from 2024.

Wholesale Used Car Value Statistics

Wholesale pricing gives an early signal for where the retail used-car market may head next. Cox Automotive’s Manheim index showed wholesale values moving higher into early 2026.

Max = 213.4. Widths: Dec 2025 96.30%, Feb 2026 99.48%, Mid-March 2026 100.00%

The rise in the Manheim index suggests wholesale used-vehicle prices were still firm in early 2026. Cox Automotive also notes that the mid-March reading is a checkpoint number rather than the official full-month reading, but it still points to a resilient wholesale market.

What These Used Car Market Statistics Show

The used-car market is still being shaped by limited affordable supply, higher financing costs, and consumers trading down into older vehicles. Even though average transaction prices cooled from their 2023 peak, they remain far above 2019 levels, and inventory under $15,000 is still tight.

At the same time, used-car demand remains healthy. Retail sales volumes improved into early 2026, financing activity stayed active, CPO sales recovered in 2025, and wholesale values held firm. That combination suggests the market has normalized in some areas, but it is still far from cheap.

Sources

• Cox Automotive used-vehicle sales, inventory, CPO, and Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index reports, 2024 to 2026
• Edmunds 2024 affordability and used-vehicle transaction price data
• Experian automotive finance and vehicle registration reports, 2025 to 2026
• CarGurus market intelligence and demand trend reports, 2025