Click to enlarge.
The Cox Automotive analysis of vAuto Live Market View data released today show used-vehicle inventory increased in May as the retail sales pace braked.* Average listing prices rose for the third consecutive month, reaching $26,918, the highest since mid-2023 and up 6% year-over-year. Combined franchised and independent auto dealers had a total supply of 2.12 million used vehicles on their lots in May. Volume is down 0.6% compared to a year ago but increased 4% from April. New-vehicle sales in May were up more than 7% year over year in May, according to Kelley Blue Book estimates, a noteworthy divergence between the two markets.
“The retail used-vehicle sales pace slowed in May, down 3.9% compared to a year ago and down 2% from April. Total retail volume is estimated at 1.45 million. Growing economic pressures and rising vehicle prices likely weighed on demand. At the same time, improving credit availability, which reached its highest level since April 2022, and the continued value proposition of used vehicles relative to new most likely provided an offset. Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, Honda, and Nissan were the top-selling brands again in May, accounting for nearly 50% of all used vehicles sold,” said Scott Vanner, manager of Economic and Industry Insights at Cox Automotive.”**
The Cox Automotive days’ supply is based on the estimated daily retail sales pace for the most recent month. Days’ supply of used vehicles in May was 45, up 1 day year over year and up 2 days from the revised April measure of 43. Compared to April, inventory volume was up 4% while the sales paced decreased 2%, resulting in 6.1% increase in days’ supply.
The average used-vehicle listing price was $26,918 in May, up 6% compared to the levels observed a year earlier and higher by 2.2% from the revised-lower $26,329 recorded in April, marking the third consecutive month of above-normal gains.
While listing prices increased across every segment, age group, and price tier, the overall increase was driven primarily by a shift in what sold. Both inventory and sales of vehicle priced under $20,00 declined in April, while sales of higher-priced units grew. Near-new SUVs posting the largest gains. The top five sellers of the month had an average price of $25,043, approximately 7% below the average listing price for all used vehicles sold.
“The higher prices at used retail right now are reflective of strong wholesale values earlier in the spring, particularly for older and more affordable vehicles. Auction prices – an important source of used-vehicle inventory – ran well above year-ago levels earlier in 2026 and have held, carrying through to retail and helping explain the sustained gains.
“Price-conscious buyers continue to face limited options in the used-vehicle market, with inventory in the lowest-priced segments remaining scarce. Vehicles priced under $15,000 carried 33 days’ supply in May, 12 days below the overall market average of 45,” said Vanner.
*AutoInformed on
**About Cox Automotive
Cox Automotive says it is the world’s largest automotive services and technology provider. It uses first-party data fed by 2.3 billion online interactions a year. Cox Automotive tailors leading solutions for car shoppers, auto manufacturers, dealers, lenders and fleets. The company has 29,000+ employees on five continents and a portfolio of industry-leading brands that include Autotrader®, Kelley Blue Book®, Manheim®, vAuto®, Dealertrack®, NextGear Capital™, CentralDispatch® and Cox Fleet®. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., a privately owned, Atlanta-based company with $23 billion in annual revenue.
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.
Affordability – Used Vehicle Prices Hit Three Year High!
Click to enlarge.
The Cox Automotive analysis of vAuto Live Market View data released today show used-vehicle inventory increased in May as the retail sales pace braked.* Average listing prices rose for the third consecutive month, reaching $26,918, the highest since mid-2023 and up 6% year-over-year. Combined franchised and independent auto dealers had a total supply of 2.12 million used vehicles on their lots in May. Volume is down 0.6% compared to a year ago but increased 4% from April. New-vehicle sales in May were up more than 7% year over year in May, according to Kelley Blue Book estimates, a noteworthy divergence between the two markets.
“The retail used-vehicle sales pace slowed in May, down 3.9% compared to a year ago and down 2% from April. Total retail volume is estimated at 1.45 million. Growing economic pressures and rising vehicle prices likely weighed on demand. At the same time, improving credit availability, which reached its highest level since April 2022, and the continued value proposition of used vehicles relative to new most likely provided an offset. Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, Honda, and Nissan were the top-selling brands again in May, accounting for nearly 50% of all used vehicles sold,” said Scott Vanner, manager of Economic and Industry Insights at Cox Automotive.”**
The Cox Automotive days’ supply is based on the estimated daily retail sales pace for the most recent month. Days’ supply of used vehicles in May was 45, up 1 day year over year and up 2 days from the revised April measure of 43. Compared to April, inventory volume was up 4% while the sales paced decreased 2%, resulting in 6.1% increase in days’ supply.
The average used-vehicle listing price was $26,918 in May, up 6% compared to the levels observed a year earlier and higher by 2.2% from the revised-lower $26,329 recorded in April, marking the third consecutive month of above-normal gains.
While listing prices increased across every segment, age group, and price tier, the overall increase was driven primarily by a shift in what sold. Both inventory and sales of vehicle priced under $20,00 declined in April, while sales of higher-priced units grew. Near-new SUVs posting the largest gains. The top five sellers of the month had an average price of $25,043, approximately 7% below the average listing price for all used vehicles sold.
“The higher prices at used retail right now are reflective of strong wholesale values earlier in the spring, particularly for older and more affordable vehicles. Auction prices – an important source of used-vehicle inventory – ran well above year-ago levels earlier in 2026 and have held, carrying through to retail and helping explain the sustained gains.
“Price-conscious buyers continue to face limited options in the used-vehicle market, with inventory in the lowest-priced segments remaining scarce. Vehicles priced under $15,000 carried 33 days’ supply in May, 12 days below the overall market average of 45,” said Vanner.
*AutoInformed on
**About Cox Automotive
Cox Automotive says it is the world’s largest automotive services and technology provider. It uses first-party data fed by 2.3 billion online interactions a year. Cox Automotive tailors leading solutions for car shoppers, auto manufacturers, dealers, lenders and fleets. The company has 29,000+ employees on five continents and a portfolio of industry-leading brands that include Autotrader®, Kelley Blue Book®, Manheim®, vAuto®, Dealertrack®, NextGear Capital™, CentralDispatch® and Cox Fleet®. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., a privately owned, Atlanta-based company with $23 billion in annual revenue.
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.