Used-Vehicle Depreciation Remains Unchanged in April
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — The average price of a used vehicle for model years 2009–2013 remained unchanged in April, with zero percent registered depreciation, according to data from Black Book.
Domestic cars increased 1.1% for the month while import cars decreased 0.8%. Domestic trucks increased 1.5% and import trucks inched down 0.2%. Before the recession, average annual depreciation was between 15% and 18%. For 2015, Black Book expects depreciation to be near 14.5%.
Premium sporty cars and luxury cars saw the largest segment depreciation at 1.3% and 1%, respectively. Vehicles in the premium sporty cars segment had an average price of $45,048, a 13.6% decrease from year-ago levels.
Compact SUVs retained the most value for the month at 2.8%. Vehicles in this segment finished April with an average price of $19,783, representing only a 3.9% decrease from year-ago levels.
Prompted by the spring tax season, entry-level cars, upper mid-size cars and full-size cars saw increases of 0.1%, 1.0% and 0.1%, respectively, in April. In the truck market, full-size cargo vans, compact CUVs and full-size passenger vans also posted monthly increases of 0.3%, 0.4% and 0.5%, respectively.
“The fact that we’re looking at overall unchanged depreciation levels across used-vehicle segments in late April is a testament to the stretched spring season we’ve had this year,” said Anil Goyal, vice president of automotive valuation and analytics for Black Book. “Looking ahead, it will be interesting to see if the remainder of the year will outperform market expectations.”
More Industry

Charger Network Growth Slows
Despite a projected increase in public EV chargers in 2026, charging infrastructure remains a top concern for consumers as the gap between the most and least EV-friendly places remains substantial.
Read More →
Lenders, Consumers Take on More Auto Loan Risk
September records loosened credit access the most in over a decade as buyers took advantage of the conditions to afford trading, though loan applications fell.
Read More →
Next-Gen Hybrids in Sight
Dealerships can expect to see revamped hybrids from Honda next year as the company rolls out a new system and model lineup.
Read More →
Gem State Stores Change Hands
A larger auto group founded in the industry’s early years sold two franchises to a neighbor group that's on a growth spurt.
Read More →
Charging In Motion
Honda has been researching wireless in-motion charging for electric vehicles since 2025, and new technology developments have put it a step closer to a final product.
Read More →
Twin Cities Stores Sell
Minnesota-based Walser Automotive Group made what it called the most significant acquisition in its history with a three-rooftop deal in Minneapolis.
Read More →
U.S. Auto Sales Still Below Prepandemic Levels
Mobility Global industry observers don’t expect the market to return to the higher volumes that became routine before Covid but to stay well below its potential.
Read More →
The Powertrain Shift
Electric-vehicle owners are backpedaling, according to new data, with product availability driving many to shift back to gas-powered engines.
Read More →
Achromatic Autos
The shades that dominate the U.S. car market don’t call attention to themselves, though grayscale may have plateaued after a 30-year upswing, research shows.
Read More →
Used-Vehicle Affordability Worsens
Listing prices in August defied seasonal trends, rising above $27,000 for the second time this year.
Read More →