Buying Used Getting Unusually Expensive
Carfax research finds little difference in price from some models’ new units

The 2023 Honda Civic is priced close to its 2025 counterpart in Carfax's recent listings.
Honda
Used-vehicle prices are getting so high that some models are approaching new-car levels.
A Carfax study found that the average used-vehicle price has reached its highest point in a year and a half to nearly $25,000, or about $1,300 more.
The vehicle data and listings provider researched its listings from September and October to uncover the phenomenon. Limited used inventory is driving the price inflation, said Carfax, which indicated supply is still under prepandemic levels due to a drop in new-vehicle sales during the peak Covid period.
“It’s rare for used and new car values to be this close,” said Carfax Editor in Chief Patrick Olsen.
Though vehicles generally lose 40% of their value after three years of ownership, Carfax determined that some well-selling models’ 2023 units are listed at prices within about 10% of their new 2025 counterparts. They include the Honda Civic and the Ford Bronco, Kia Seltos and Toyota Corolla Cross SUVs.
Taking the Civic as an example, Carfax calculates that the average price of a 2023 unit is at $24,300, compared to $27,400 for a 2025 Civic, translating to just a $25 monthly payment difference for buyers making a 10% down payment and financing over 72 months.
The company said automakers and dealers are offering consumers financing deals to juice new-vehicle buying in the inflated economy.
Originally posted on Auto Dealer Today
More Industry

World EV Adoption Set to Grow
A new report says the segment, despite recent setbacks in some regions, is poised for acceleration as many countries look to reduce pollution.
Read More →
Black Book: Weekly Market Update
Wholesale automotive auction business stayed steady last week as bidders encountered lower prices, analysts observed.
Read More →
Pricing Transparency Drives Purchase Consideration
An annual study by JD Power found that clear pricing matters to consumers on automaker websites, so much so that it increases their purchase consideration.
Read More →
Black Book: Weekly Market Update
Used-vehicle market depreciation was the prevailing story in the wholesale market last week.
Read More →
Smaller Is Looking Better
A growing number of Americans in the market for a new vehicle are opting for more affordable options, not waiting for market stability to bite the bullet.
Read More →
U.S. EV Market Slowly Stabilizes
U.S. electric-vehicle interest is slowly stabilizing since a major dip in sales after last year's end of the federal EV tax credit, and hybrids remain the leading electrified power train.
Read More →
Global EV Market Entering New Phase
Automakers are making investments to lower battery costs and optimize production to meet changing consumer needs.
Read More →
Black Book Weekly Market Update
The holiday weekend, not surprisingly, put a drag on wholesale automotive activity last week, analysts observed.
Read More →
Auto Affordability in Context
Cox Automotive points out the complex circumstances that have led to eye-popping vehicle prices.
Read More →
Black Book: Weekly Market Update
Automotive auction inventory increased last week, giving choosy bidders even more leeway.
Read More →