CARFAX said today that its data show used car prices are climbing sharply after hitting their lowest point in the past year. The average price of a used vehicle is now about $25,500, up ~$1500 in just one month. (Read AutoInformed.com on: CARFAX Report Now Predicts a Vehicle’s Future)
“With rising prices, flexibility is important,” said Sri Melkote, Chief Analytics Officer at CARFAX. “Shoppers should consider different makes, models, years, trims, or even nearby markets to find the best deals that fit their budget. This type of swing in prices suggests a volatile market, so tracking prices right now is crucial. Once you’re ready, a vehicle history report can help you avoid costly surprises and ensure real value.”*
Despite high gas prices initially expected to decrease demand, car sales continue to rise. Instead, both vehicle prices and fuel costs are shifting consumer interest toward more fuel-efficient vehicles. Trends on CARFAX Car Listings shows electric vehicle prices increased by more than $560 last month, marking the largest surge in EV demand in more than a year.
Top 10 States Where CARFAX Finds the Most “Great Value” Vehicles. Vehicles in these states are priced the most competitively relative to CARFAX’s estimated History-Based Value:
- Florida
- Texas
- California
- New Jersey
- Ohio
- New York
- Illinois
- Missouri
- Virginia
- North Carolina
[There are of course several other factors impacting the rise in prices, including price jumps on new 2026 models driven, in part, by added Trump tariff costs, as well as a tighter selection of used vehicles. Slower new car production in recent years has also meant fewer high-quality, low-mileage, certified pre-owned vehicles entering the market today. Inflation has raised new vehicle prices, and affordability is an industry wide problem for automakers. The Trump mis-Administration’s war on Iran with its constantly shifting claims and tactics also continues to cloud crystal balls and consumer confidence. – AutoCrat]
*About CARFAX
CARFAX, part of S&P Global Mobility, says “it helps millions of people every day confidently shop, buy, service, and sell cars with innovative solutions powered by CARFAX® vehicle history information. The expert in vehicle history since 1984, CARFAX provide CARFAX Car Listings, CARFAX Car Care, CARFAX History-Based Value, and the flagship CARFAX Vehicle History Report to consumers and the automotive industry. CARFAX owns the world’s largest vehicle history database.”
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Trumped – Used Car Prices Spike after Hitting 12-Month Low
CARFAX said today that its data show used car prices are climbing sharply after hitting their lowest point in the past year. The average price of a used vehicle is now about $25,500, up ~$1500 in just one month. (Read AutoInformed.com on: CARFAX Report Now Predicts a Vehicle’s Future)
“With rising prices, flexibility is important,” said Sri Melkote, Chief Analytics Officer at CARFAX. “Shoppers should consider different makes, models, years, trims, or even nearby markets to find the best deals that fit their budget. This type of swing in prices suggests a volatile market, so tracking prices right now is crucial. Once you’re ready, a vehicle history report can help you avoid costly surprises and ensure real value.”*
Despite high gas prices initially expected to decrease demand, car sales continue to rise. Instead, both vehicle prices and fuel costs are shifting consumer interest toward more fuel-efficient vehicles. Trends on CARFAX Car Listings shows electric vehicle prices increased by more than $560 last month, marking the largest surge in EV demand in more than a year.
Top 10 States Where CARFAX Finds the Most “Great Value” Vehicles. Vehicles in these states are priced the most competitively relative to CARFAX’s estimated History-Based Value:
[There are of course several other factors impacting the rise in prices, including price jumps on new 2026 models driven, in part, by added Trump tariff costs, as well as a tighter selection of used vehicles. Slower new car production in recent years has also meant fewer high-quality, low-mileage, certified pre-owned vehicles entering the market today. Inflation has raised new vehicle prices, and affordability is an industry wide problem for automakers. The Trump mis-Administration’s war on Iran with its constantly shifting claims and tactics also continues to cloud crystal balls and consumer confidence. – AutoCrat]
*About CARFAX
CARFAX, part of S&P Global Mobility, says “it helps millions of people every day confidently shop, buy, service, and sell cars with innovative solutions powered by CARFAX® vehicle history information. The expert in vehicle history since 1984, CARFAX provide CARFAX Car Listings, CARFAX Car Care, CARFAX History-Based Value, and the flagship CARFAX Vehicle History Report to consumers and the automotive industry. CARFAX owns the world’s largest vehicle history database.”
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.